Selling your art online

Opening an online shop is a great way to make an income from your art or craft. I have been running my own shop on Etsy for a few years now, and it has helped me to develop my style, learn new skills and earn an extra income on top of my freelance work. Etsy has been a great platform to showcase my illustrations and it has opened up lots of opportunities for me, such as art commissions and having my designs stocked in galleries and gift shops around the world. I feel that at the moment I can't manage more than one online shop, but there's no reason why you couldn't have shops across a range of different platforms. 

If you're thinking about starting to sell your work on the internet, I have picked out some digital marketplaces for you to consider here:

Etsy
A marketplace for handmade and vintage products. I would highly recommend Etsy as I have found it really easy to use over the years and my customers on there are always super friendly and supportive. The brand has a lovely community feel and they offer different tools to help creative entrepreneurs manage and grow their businesses.

Look Lane
I only just recently discovered Look Lane, it's a new platform to buy and sell handmade items by indie designer makers. I love the interactive map and how you can browse through virtual high streets and stumble upon lots of pretty things that you wouldn't normally find. I am definitely tempted to open a shop here!

Folksy
Is an online destination to buy and sell work created by indie designers based in the UK. They also have loads of useful advice on their website to help creative sellers, like photography tips, blogging tips, SEO and social media. You can also join in with #folksyhour on Twitter for even more tips and to chat to other like minded creatives.

Not on the High Street
Home to more than 5000 creative businesses, from jewellery makers and engravers to visual artists and chocolatiers. They only pick the best creatives who have truly unique and thoughtful products so if you want to sell your work on this platform you will need to apply.

Cactus plant brooches

I am drawing and painting lots of plants recently, it must be because it's spring. Here are my new cactus brooches and each one has been painted individually on wood with an antique style pin glued on the back. I love these brooches because they are so cute to wear on springtime adventures- perfect to pin to your cardigan or backpack. If you want one, you can find them here in my Etsy shop.

Marketing without the internet

The internet is a powerful tool when it comes to promoting your business. With all the competition online,  together spreading the word about what you do without using the internet could make you stand out from the crowd. Here are some of my ideas to help you raise awareness of your business offline:

Business cards
It's always a good idea to keep a few business cards handy so you can give them to friends, family and new people.

Print advertising
Advertise in your local newspapers and magazines that are appropriate for your target audience. If your budget doesn't stretch to the expensive advertising costs in glossy magazines, research small independent magazines and zines. Their prices are likely to be more affordable.

Snail mail
Ask your customers for permission to send them things through the post. Surely their answer will be yes - receiving freebies, postcards, coupons and fun newsletters are much more exciting than bills!

Craft fairs and markets
Attending craft fairs and markets is a great way to showcase your product or service to a high amount of new potential buyers. It's also a brilliant opportunity to meet your customers face to face and network with fellow business owners.

Sponsorship
Sponsoring something like a local sports team, art exhibition, fundraising event or village fete can increase awareness and credibility of your business.

Leaflets and flyers
Producing leaflets and flyers can help attract new customers and increase sales. Consider how you are going to distribute them first. You could include them in online orders, hand them out at craft fairs or ask local shops to display them.

Highlights of 2016

2016 has been quite a year, I started a new digital marketing job, had some amazing trips around the UK to The New Forest, Norfolk, Rye, Oxford and stayed in a yurt in Sussex. I also learnt how to crochet, got an allotment and dyed my hair pink.

Work wise, I began stocking some of my card designs in Paperchase and Scribbler via Whale and Bird. I worked on an exciting project for Lucky Dip Club, reached 200 sales and over 100 five star reviews in my etsy shop. Being interviewed by Just A Card was a great opportunity to share my work and I enjoyed illustrating a logo and lots of cakes for Rosina Makes. I made up a hashtag #girlswhomake to inspire and encourage other creative girls by posting questions on my Instagram and Twitter, it was fun getting to know everyone and I want to do more regular posts in the new year.

My new years resolution in the last year was to draw and paint more, which I did. In 2017 my goals are to improve my photography, learn how to sew and do screen printing. I also want to make more time for my creative work, get out of my comfort zone and collaborate with others.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas! I just want to say thank you for all of your encouraging messages and comments on social media and ordering goodies from my little shop this year, your support means so much. My shop is now closed and your Christmas orders have been posted. I've decided to take a mini break to organise my studio and design some new jewellery, zines, stickers, cards and more for 2017. The shop will relaunch on 25th January {my birthday!}