Wholesalecrafts.com & Cool Flickr Toy
I’ve spend entirely too much time online recently, and can’t seem to sign off when I mentally tell myself to. So, the other day, I uploaded some new photos to flickr and started messing around with some widgets and such while I was there. I came across Big Huge Labs, that nabs some of your photos to create this cool little mini banner.
Meanwhile, I spent the better part of 2 hours applying to wholesalecrafts.com this morning. A rep called me this am to follow up with an inquiry that I had sent them. I sort of forgot about it, but then, thought, “What the heck, let’s see what she has to say!” She gave me temporary access to the site for me to peruse, and answered all my questions. It’s $395.00 a year, if I am accepted. That’s a lot of dough, but, I asked a few people who are represented by wholesale crafts and they’re doing great – so it could be worth the investment. One artist I know even closed her Etsy shop because of the amount of business coming her way.
In other news, I terminated my relationship with online retailer, Asian iCandy, this am. They haven’t sold any of my work, so I don’t think it was a good fit. It was a drop-ship arrangement, so overall, it was a good experiment. I think it’s really hard to sell things online without the buyer being able to physically see and hold an item – and I don’t know what their marketing plan is or how they reach their customers. Wholesale would be a much better investment of my time and efforts. Money upfront, make the work and then send.
That doesn’t mean I will not do Etsy, art fairs or other venues – it’s just another avenue to make a living doing what I love.
I did a little more work on my clay bird monotype – it’s really more of a painting now.
That’s it for today,
~Cynthia
JafaBrit's Art
February 6, 2008 at 11:51 pm //
I like the flicker badge and hope you don’t mind if I try it out
I like it, gives me a chance to see more examples of your work.
Sounds like you have been busy. I really love visiting various blogs, but now there are so many I am having to slow down a wee bit.
Tales of an Artist & his Travelers
February 7, 2008 at 2:22 am //
We`ve been with wholesalecrafts for a couple of years now. Last year they had their first wholesale show in Las Vegas. We didn`t attend, I`m still trying to compile honest feed back on it. Appeared to be ok for a first show. Our experience is rather hit and miss, but then we are in a real tight niche` market. If you`ve been to the message boards you`ll find some good info. Did they give you a password so you can go on and look around? Any questions email us.
Janvangogh
February 7, 2008 at 4:45 am //
I had looked into them and the Guild awhile back — I guess when the fee was more of an issue. Might be worthwhile looking again.
Cynthia
February 7, 2008 at 1:04 pm //
Of course – try it out, Jafabrit. It’s really cool. I am lucky to get to everyone’s blogs once a week, Jafa since I seem to have so many things on my plate at the moment.
They did give me a login and password sign, John – and I’ve perused the site and see a lot of nice work from people whom I admire. You do have a tight niche, don’t you?
I know what you mean, Janet – last year, I couldn’t of even entertained the idea.
doudy
February 7, 2008 at 1:44 pm //
I like your art very much, it must be very hard to work with ceramics!!
I’ll check in your previous posts, if you are explaining the different stages of your artworks
Bye
doudy
JafaBrit's Art
February 7, 2008 at 1:52 pm //
I used it on my website jafagirlart.com rather than my blog.
Great little tool, thanks for sharing.
HMBT
February 7, 2008 at 5:24 pm //
Thanks for the info about the wholesale site…I wonder if they would take my work? Hmmm….
I don’t know if I qualify because of needing to have two wholesale accounts already. Plus I suck at picture taking…argh! Really interesting post!!! You rock.