harnessing the mighty internet

Hey Folks, Does anyone here sell work on-line? Do people buy pottery and sculpture on-line?or do you do best at Art and Craft Fairs? Are gallery owners wary of artists with a strong web presence? Would prospective buyers be more likely to see an artist in a gallery and them seek to buy direct from the Artist's website?

I inadvertently ( sick child) took a 3 year hiatus from work and am just now getting ready to sell stuff again. I want to find new gallery representation and go after the more prestigious art fairs. My husband wants me to focus on sales from my website. I'm concerned that the website won't give me enough exposure and discredit me in the eyes of Gallery owners.

And my last question: What shippers are preferred. UPS, Fed Ex or US Postal Service?

Thanks for listening, if nothing else perhaps I've sparked some good conversation.

-nancy-

Reply to
Momzilla
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Reply to
Momzilla

People can harbour a misconception on how the internet can - or cannot - work for a business.

I was a little sceptical, at first, when we started our entertainment and balloon decorating business a few years ago. After uploading our website - we surprisingly obtained many prestigious customers via the internet; one of which was Christies Auctioneers based in London.

I have not, as yet, made a website for the pottery. But plan one this year - once we have our new studio built.

JM

Reply to
JM

I haven't found very many artists on Ebay. I find a lot of vintage collectibles, antiques and a few funky beginner pots. I'm pretty sure I found a bong disguised as a vase.

For the most part, I find Ebay to be a giant on-line garage sale not a place favorable to galleries.

Well, I have to get back into the studio and make stuff so I can sell it. -nancy-

Reply to
Momzilla

There's more to the internet than just E-bay - I was talking about having your own website.

Reply to
JM

I was talking about the internet in general and including E-bay. I just wasn't very clear. I'll blame cold medicine.

Anyway, E-bay gets lots of traffic, but keeps the Artist's relatively hidden. At least potters and sculptors, they are in the "other art category". I did go back yesterday and find a few potters showing some very nice raku and saltware. On the subject of artist's websites. How much traffic can one hope for? I would think that a website would service your existing clientele. In my original question I wondered how Gallery owners view artist's websites. I wonder if their clientele would see an artist in the Gallery and then bypass the Gallery and order direct from the Artist.

-nancy-

Reply to
Momzilla

I would think this would only happen if the artist under-cut the gallery on their website, or offered something on the website not available in the gallery.

In the roleplaying game industry, companies that sell their product directly from their website for less than list price get shunned by the distributors. Undercut the retail market and you quickly find yourself unable to get your books on the shelves.

I would think the same thing would happen with galleries. If they see that you're selling the same thing from your website for less than what they sell it for, they may stop carrying your work.

Reply to
Carl D Cravens

Even if you list stuff at Gallery Price on your website, some custmers may expect/demand a discount if they buy direct from you. If you refuse to discount you risk losing the customer.

-nancy-

Reply to
Momzilla

Every artist I have ever spoken with has said that they cannot give a discount or their gallery will not continue to show their work. It is a reasonable answer and I do not know of anyone that has questioned this.

Reply to
W_D_Great_Divider

I don't have any personal experience with this, but there was a great article in the March/April 2003 issue of Clay Times by Tim Eberhardt called "Developing Your Own Potter's Web Site". It not only tells how to set up your site, in pretty decent detail, but mentions his income from the site, and his methods for getting potential customers to visit. He says his average pot sells for about $400, and he has sold as much as $6000 in one week after uploading new pot images to the site.

He has (or had back then) an expanded version of the article on his site at

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Hope this helps!

Bob Masta dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom D A Q A R T A Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis

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Reply to
Bob Masta

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