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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to try to sell my art

81 replies

musicforsmorks · 08/07/2020 16:12

I am a self employed illustrator. been doing it for 15 yrs. I mainly work via commission, licensing and online venues.
business is good, but does fluctuate monthly, so I was planning on seeking about 16 hours employed work to supplement my income - before covid sprang up!

Of course, I have concerns about that at the moment as I have no recent experience outside of my self employment, and it seems everyone suddenly needs that 16 hour job at Tesco!

lately, discussing this is DP, he said why not give yourself a few months to open an etsy shop, as well as my personal website, etc, and try to sell some of my original paintings and watercolours.

now, 12 yrs ago I had a very successful store online selling them, and often pulled in around £1000 per week. I stopped after a few years due to the death of a family member and just seemed to forget about it as sales had become slow.

would you try this again now, considering the work was very sell-able before? I guess there's nothing to lose, but I kinda wanted a small 'guaranteed' income, and this wouldn't necessarily be.....

I already have a lot of online outlets for my current work (of a very different style) so know what I'm doing.

Or should I just try very hard to get a 16hr job in a shop, like a sensible person, etc?

OP posts:
PinkArt · 08/07/2020 17:33

As the two styles are quite different, keep them as separate insta accounts but as others have said you will need to post relatively regularly nad play the game with #s. It's a good medium though. I've both discovered new artists there and bought directly from artists through it.

Art sales are up during lockdown and I imagine people will also like the idea of buying directly from artists at the moment - the online equivalent of shop local - so it's a good time to go for it.

MarshaBradyo · 08/07/2020 17:36

You are prolific, very nice too.

I think selling one style per platform or outlet would work better.

I like the slowing / fire and ice style most.

Which is your favourite to do?

speakout · 08/07/2020 17:40

OP you would be crazy not to be selling this as your main line of income.

I make and sell home made craft items. I earn far more than I would in a full time "normal job".
The income may not be "steady"- although it has never let me down, but then neither is employment.
Redundancy could be on the cards for many people- at the drop of a hat.
Grasp this opportunity with both hands.

speakout · 08/07/2020 17:43

I don't have any advice about platforms though- my crafts are easily reproducable identical items- think soap or earrings ( although it is neither)- meaning that I can use Amazon and ebay.
I have never tried etsy- I have trouble fulfilling the volume of orders I get at the moment!

Original poster
musicforsmorks · 08/07/2020 17:49

@speakout thank you. It is my main income at present, although some months better than others. I sell via online stores and do a lot of commissioned work (books, etc) too. Ive had quite a few high profile jobs which pay enormously, but they are not every month sadly.
its been my main source of income for 15 years.
it does make more money than employed work, that is true.
and I do think I ought to work harder to expand it rather than seek a regular part time job in the fall-out from a pandemic.

I hope your business keeps going well!

OP posts:
Original poster
musicforsmorks · 08/07/2020 17:50

I must admit I did not look forward to reopening an etsy shop.
I think I may fix one up on my own website.

OP posts:
Original poster
musicforsmorks · 08/07/2020 17:55

@MarshaBradyo

You are prolific, very nice too.

I think selling one style per platform or outlet would work better.

I like the slowing / fire and ice style most.

Which is your favourite to do?

thanks!

Ive just sold 'the slowing' to a small business this week (not the copyright), it is quite new and I wasnt sure of it, so that's very nice to hear.

I do love the very abstract or landscape works. I could do both, digitally and with traditional materials forever if possible!

my personal faves are these two because I based them on my beautiful cat, a sort of homage to his long and lovely life with me after he passed away

to try to sell my art
to try to sell my art
OP posts:
knittingaddict · 08/07/2020 17:59

I'm no expert by any means, but we have lots of artists in the family and my daughter is an illustrator, of children's books mostly. I think your work is lovely and definitely has a market.

To be honest I was expecting the worst. It's not the first time creative people have asked for advice on here and I have had to bite my lip. Not in your case.

morefun · 08/07/2020 18:05

Yes do it! I'm employed and paint in my spare time. If I knew people would buy it I would go for it. In fact, perhaps I should anyway! You only live once

december212 · 08/07/2020 18:16

You're very talented! Definitely sell via Etsy / social media platforms (could see your art appealing to a lot of people on the House Talk Facebook group - they offer 'small business fridays' where you can advertise your work). Where can we buy your more recent work?

RyanBergarasTeeth · 08/07/2020 18:23

Absolutely go for it. Watch out for etsy fees though. Do you have. Afacebook page

UnhappyMondays · 08/07/2020 18:28

I love your older stuff OP - really unusual and fabulous!

Scout2016 · 08/07/2020 18:40

@musicforsmorks try to target a more "alternative " audience if you can. Lots of tattoo artists have switched up producing artworks now they can't work and it's selling. They seem to use bigcartel a lot. Is there an alternative clothing type place bear you, or a hippy shop you could try selling through.

Skigal86 · 08/07/2020 18:42

I’ve recently discovered the world of “print your own” fabric, and that people will pay for people to design their fabric for them. I have no idea what it pays, but having looked at your link, some of your work would look awesome on fabric!

Purpletigers · 08/07/2020 18:51

Your artwork is beautiful. Have you contacted any independent shops ? There’s a shop in NI called In Klover which sells art from lots of artists.

kitschplease · 08/07/2020 18:59

Love the cat ones! Please can you link to the etsy shop or Instagram account that they are on.

wheresmymojo · 08/07/2020 20:25

I wouldn't say this if I didn't really, really mean it.

You are VERY talented OP. I love both the new and old styles but agree they need seperate accounts.

If I was you I would get back to selling it myself and as soon as I was bringing in some money I'd spend it on a social media manager or someone who can do the sales side for you.

Your zone of genius is obviously the creative side and your art is so good that with someone managing the sales side I think it would more than pay for a social media manager/sales manager and pay you the extra money you want.

wheresmymojo · 08/07/2020 20:34

I would actually really like a link to where you sell your newer work OP...

wheresmymojo · 08/07/2020 20:34

I would actually really like a link to where you sell your newer work OP...

Original poster
musicforsmorks · 08/07/2020 20:50

crikey, apologies for vanishing, I had to go shopping.

thank you for the encouraging comments they are much appreciated.
I have been doing this for most of my life but rarely communicate online with others these days. its great to have some feedback!

I am definitely thinking of selling via my own website. I do need to ramp up the social media side too, which is sorely neglected.

as for recent work, I sell more via US and AUS sites and companies so think the closest to uk is redbubble.
my website is still in process.

some here: society6.com/artandghosts
and here: www.redbubble.com/people/dansedelune/shop

OP posts:
bestbrowsintown · 08/07/2020 21:30

You're very talented.

Personally I prefer your older stuff but I can see the new stuff selling very well.

I'd approach cafes and furniture stores with your art to see if they'll put it up for sale.

MsEllany · 09/07/2020 14:30

I’d prefer to buy from redbubble personally I’ve had better service from them and there’s greater choice of medium as it’s not dependent on you producing the items yourself.

MsEllany · 09/07/2020 14:35

Also, I’ve followed you and will look through later as I like the style and some of your stuff would look great in my recently decorated living room Smile so one extra here!

Original poster
musicforsmorks · 09/07/2020 17:23

thank you! :)

OP posts:
Yeahnahmum · 09/07/2020 17:27

Do it. On etsy and on marketplace (Facebook)

Go live the dream Smile