Where do you sell your work?

[Rickson]

Every business needs a way to connect to their clients.

Where do you sell your work? Include names and links to websites if you've had a positive experience.

Had a bad experience? Let us know, but please do not mention store names. Instead let’s discuss possible solutions.  

I'll go first: Toronto Stores/Galleries:

- Made You Look has two locations opposite each other with 2 galleries and a workshop where artists rent bench space.

- The Devil’s Workshop has both a gallery space and a workshop where jewellery artists teach classes.

- Harbourfront Center is an innovative non profit cultural organization. Bounty is their contemporary craft and design store.

- The Distillery District has live theatres, galleries, jewelry boutiques, and restaurants. Check out Corktown designs and Distill Gallery which both sell jewellery.

- The Purple Thumb in the Beaches sells Locally Made and Ethically Produced items. Artist's rent space to display their work and the sales associates sell it. Visit their site for pricing.

- Fresh Collective is a designer run shop and studio where artists rent display cases and the store sells their work. Visit their site for more info.

Online Stores:

- Etsy is the powerhouse for online selling of all things handmade. Only 20 cents to post an item and there's a 3.5% transaction fee when your work sells. Follow this link and click Etsy Success for weekly emails on how to improve your shop.

I’ve heard of Artfire, Big Cartel, and Trunkt but can’t speak from experience. Let us know if you know. :)

Negative experiences (unrelated to the stores mentioned above)

- Problem: Stores not paying on time.

- Solution: Visit the store monthly to request payment. Should this be necessary? 

- Problem: %50 consignment fee. Why do stores get %50 of my sale!?

- Solution: Accept that the stores deserve %50 and harmonize your retail prices. Having sold my work for a couple of years, I now know how much work, money and time it takes to reach my clients. Therefore, with harmonized prices at craft shows, in galleries and stores, online, I can spend more time making my work, and less time trying to sell it.  

What do you think? Are consignment fees fair? Do you sell work directly to the stores? Have you rented space to sell work from? What's your advice?

Thanks for your participation,

Rickson

 

[kerin rose]

oh my, I have a lot to say, but off the bat, I have to say I abhor consignment with a passion...I mean, where did this practice develop that artists ( who often have less income than other folks?) merchandise stores for free?

[Rickson]

Interesting. SO you prefer to actually sell the work to the store? Does this have a professional name? Do you offer it to stores, or do only certain stores offer it?

Thanks! Say away, anything you like. :)

Rickson

[Rickson]

Here's a list of Art and Craft stores/galleries in Toronto:
http://www.caroun.com/craft/canada/canadiancrafts-toronto.html

Enjoy!

Rickson