Has anyone any experience of selling their creations online?

[ComeAlongPond]

Several people have suggested I try to sell some of my paintings. I'm not sure if they're good enough, but I have quite a few sitting around that I don't really know what to do with so I guess it's worth a try? I've only ever sold two paintings for money before - one someone asked me to, and one a friend asked if she could have and insisted on paying for it.

What's the best way of going about it? I'm aware of Etsy but don't know anything about it, really. Or a friend of mine suggested just setting up a blog?

Any advice would be much appreciated :)

I don't know about selling them online, but is there an art shop/gallery in your town centre or local high street?

Although I have no experience selling paintings whatsoever as my speciality is stick men we have an artist's forum in our town centre's shopping center, where local artists can display their work and sell it. (I've bought several pictures from there) Also, our doctor's surgery display local artists' work, with prices on, so I presume we approach the practice manager to discuss purchase.

Just an idea

Good luck!

Etsy might work but you need to be able to post at a reasonable cost, I think,or you'll lose money or sales. There's lots of help on Etsy for new sellers, as well as ongoing support for your shop, but its a massive site and you have to 1) have lots to least, and 2)participate in various things like teams, favourite items lists etc, researching search terms etc to really make it work. There's a book called "how to make money on Etsy " which is very detailed, and I'd recommend the "handmade marketplace " book by Kari chapin too.

Have lots to LIST

Find somewhere to have an exhibition - if you have a friend who paints, do it together. It's huge fun!

How about setting up a Facebook business page where you can show your art to people you know? I know a lady who has become successful selling crafts by simply putting up things she has made and people have requested her work. By word of mouth she has branched out and has stalls at fares, sells in shops etc.

It's all about getting your name out there. It might be slow going at first but you don't know until you try!

Good luck :)

I only have experience of not selling my creations online. :(

Sorry.

I have my own Facebook page and do really well making and selling my napoy cakes and towel cakes 'Nappy Cakes by Emma' I also have a website but I get all my orders from Facebook. X

Sorry everyone, I was really busy and didn't get chance to comed back to this thread.

Thank you for your suggestions! I will take a look at local shops as well as facebook. Thank you!

I have a FB page too, it was slow to start off with but has picked up recently.

I also now sell through craftybums.co.uk, it's a new site along similar lines to Etsy etc, launched earlier this year and you buy "slots" off them for 20p each and can list what you like, and leave it there till it sells. Cheap to get going, and they do seem to be doing a lot of PR and marketing type stuff, I've had 3 or 4 sales through them so far.

Other than that, the stuff I sell is aimed at kids (well, their parents :o) so I have stalls at local parent & toddler groups, school fairs etc. I've been looking into having a stall in my local library on Rhyme Time day when all the kids are there, it would cost me £10 during term time, more in the school holidays - they often have art on display so might be worth investigating.

My Godmother used to sell a lot of paintings. She was a member of an art group and they had an exhibition now and again and sold lots during it.

Lots of villages do similar exhibitions for local artists.

Around here lots of coffee shops display art for sale as well and small local galleries obviously do as well.

Most of my friends have joined some sort of group though.