An interesting chat developed over on the gallery thread about selling your beads on Etsy, facebook etc.
I don't like to interfere too much with the organic flow of chat here, but I think it is an important and useful discussion that would get lost to time if it just stays on the gallery threads. It also prevents people using the gallery thread for showing off and discussing their work if two strong, diverse chats are going on.
So, let's keep that interesting chat going, but move it over here maybe?
The chat started out as far as I can tell with a couple of themes. When are you "ready" to sell your work and how do you get it seen?
This is an area where I feel somewhat qualified to chat about as I've been selling art beads now for a few years and learned a trick or two. And by that, I mean basically learned what won't work because the secret of success is always elusive enough never to provide you with any pattern, rhyme or reason!
When you are ready to sell is quite simple - if someone is willing to buy- you are by definition at a place ready to sell.
But you need to be sure your product is good to go. With polymer clay we don't have many safety issues to worry about - just ensure stuff is well baked and that your design is STRONG.
If you make beads with little tiny protrusions coming out - I don't care what clay you use, what resin or varnish, what wire armature - they will break. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but sometime. Not a great legacy for you as a bead artist, so make sure your design is robust and works WITH polymer clay's natural limits, not against it.
Another issue with polymer clay - when we use other products with it - is chemical compatibility.
This is a biggie.
If you are using paints, varnishes, waxes - any surface embellishment really, there is the chance it will not be compatible long term with the clay.
Paints or varnishes that appear to dry can turn tacky and sticky weeks, months or even years later. This isn't apocryphal - I've had beads varnished with stuff from B&Q or wherever, back in my rookie years, that were find for 2 or 3 years. Then they just went into a gooey mess!
This is why it makes sense to stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before. If there is a product designed FOR clay, it will offer you much better peace of mind than plucking something at random from the shelves. Or if there is a product that many clayers have used and raved about for years, chances are this will be a lot safer than the one no-one is using.
Chances - that is all I mean. It could be absolutely fine - and you discover a great new thing to use with clay. Or it could not. I am just saying be aware of this issue and be sure you have confidence in the processes and products you are using before going on to sell your work.
Be original!
You will get more sales and build a better reputation for yourself if you work to have your own style, not emulate others. This goes for sales of jewellery, loose beads, tutorials - whatever really. We all know there is "nothing new under the sun" - but we also know when we've seen something a little TOO similar before.
As for being seen on Etsy, ebay - or anywhere online really - that is a tough one. I always say "build it and they will come" does NOT apply when it comes to selling your work online.
You need to promote, work, build relationships with your customers, communicate with them, learn from them. It takes time.
Build a mailing list that people can sign up for (never add them without their consent) and keep them in the loop.
Facebook is excellent for marketing yourself. But if you don't feel comfortable talking about your own product, why would anyone have confidence enough to buy it? Remember you can have a business page on Facebook or use some of the selling groups on there.
There is nothing tacky about reaching people who want to be reached.
So if you feel uncomfortable pushing yourself on places like facebook, etc then maybe selling isn't for you? Without doing some active marketing, you'll bumble along and get a few sales here and there maybe, but you won't grow your business or your "brand". So even if you are embarassed to admit it to others, have the conversation with yourself "do I actually WANT to sell and make this a growing concern? or do I just want to have a few sales here and there, cover material costs etc?"
Either scenario is fine and honourable enough (although there are some that argue those who just want pin money are taking sales from those who rely on it for an income. But that is another debate!).
Just don't sit there wanting ONE state of affairs and wondering why you are not hitting the targets or getting the sales you want if all your actions are really more suited to the other scenario.
Lastly - if you are wanting to sell, be sure your photos are decent and fairly represent your work. A picture sells a thousand beads online!
Emma