Selling at markets has been a crucial part of of my journey as a wildlife artist. I've been doing markets and selling my wildlife art on wood for seven months now and its been essential to establishing myself as an local artist selling hand-painted wildlife art in the local area.
Setting up a market stall, and putting your artwork "out-there" offers an opportunity to showcase your creativity, engage with new and potential customers, and generate income. This endeavor, however comes with its fair share of highs and lows, from dealing with unhelpful comments and criticism, disappointments of "bad" market-days to the fun of meeting new people, learning from other stall-holders and of-course, the exhilaration of a good day at market.
Setting up a Market Stall
Setting up a market stall is akin to creating a mini art gallery; it's where we artists can bring our creations to life and invite the general public to immerse themselves in their work. A well-curated stall can captivate passersby and turn them into potential customers.
Tips for setting up a successful market stall:
Display: Ensure your artwork is prominently displayed to catch the eye of potential buyers.
Lighting: Ensure your stall is well-lit, particularly in winter-months. A well-lit stall will attract people to your stall
Variety: Showcase a variety of pieces to cater to different tastes and affordability. I showcase a variety of hand-painted art on wood, in varying shapes and sizes.
Branding: Incorporate your unique style and personality into the stall to create a memorable experience for customers. Make sure you have a sign with your branding on show.
Engagement: Interact with visitors, share insights about your work, and be open to answering questions.
Dealing with Disappointment and Set-backs
As with any entrepreneurial pursuit, setbacks are inevitable. From slow sales (or even no sales) to unfavorable weather conditions and the criticism of passers-by, artists must navigate through disappointment and stay resilient in the face of adversity. I can honestly say that the benefits and positives of market-trading have outweighed the negatives but its been important to not let the disappointments and criticisms knock me down.
Strategies for overcoming disappointments:
Positive Mindset: Focus on your passion for art and the joy it brings to you rather than solely on sales figures.
Believe in Yourself: You need to know that you can do this and to keep-going even when you have a bad, day or bad few months. There are people out there who will like what you do!
Adaptability: Be flexible in your approach; try new display techniques or pricing strategies. We are always learning and growing as artists... be open to new ideas and suggestions from other traders.
Learning Opportunity: View setbacks as valuable lessons that can guide your future decisions and improvements.
Support System: Seek advice and encouragement from fellow artists, creators or traders to stay motivated and keep moving forward.
Getting Out There and Selling
Getting out there and actively selling your artwork is a crucial step towards building a successful presence. Embracing the art of selling not only boosts your income but also allows you to connect with a diverse audience and receive valuable feedback.
Ways to enhance your selling prowess:
Storytelling: Share the inspirations and stories behind your pieces to create an emotional connection with customers.
Networking: Part of the beauty of attending markets is that you get to meet so many other artists, creatives and traders. Its great to be part of a community where you can encourage one-another and gain invaluable advice from those who have already walked-the-walk.
Online Presence: Utilize social media platforms and online marketplaces to showcase your work and reach a broader audience.
Feedback Loop: Listen to customer feedback, adapt based on their preferences, and continuously evolve your artistic practice.
In conclusion, selling at markets as an artist can be an important part of establishing yourself. It requires confidence, creativity, business acumen, and resilience. By setting up an engaging stall, persevering through setbacks, and actively selling your artwork, you CAN find success at local markets. My advice to any artisan stating out would be to go-for it. Believe in yourself and your product. You can do it!
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