How to SELL your ART or CRAFT on Consignment

Member

By Raphaella
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (5 Ratings)

Art Display

On the weekend do you find yourself oil painting, shooting photography, making pottery or jewelry? Have you ever thought about putting your work up for sale? Here are some tips on how to sell your art or craft at a consignment store.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Business license
Photographs of your work
Sample of your work
Price Point

Step 1

Check out Local Art Stores/Galleries: Do an internet search in your area, check the phone book and ask the Chamber of Commerce. Make a list of the stores you find, call and ask if they represent and sell the work of various artists, on a consignment basis.
Step 2

Get a Business License: (If you're not sure how -- see my article: "How to sell your art or craft at a street festival). If you sell your work at a store they will need your sales tax license to report earnings to the government.
Step 3

Art Sample

Visit the Art Gallery or Store: See what kind of art or craft the store sells.......make sure it fits with what you do. Look at the prices and determine how much you could sell your work for there. Come up with a price point.
Step 4

Ask to Speak with the Manager: Ask the floor manager if they are accepting new artists. Some may try and sell you a booth space. Be careful not to get in over your head. Many stores sell on consignment only, and don't make artists pay for a booth. Keep the dialog casual and ask if you could stop by sometime and show him/her your work.
Step 5

Oil Painting

Take in a Sample of your Work: If your art is too big to carry in, just make sure to bring photographs -- good photographs! Hopefully, they will say "yes, we love it!" "This is perfect for our store!"
Step 6

Negotiate the terms: Some stores will only sell your work on a 50/50 basis. So, you take home 50% of the sale. But, it your art or craft is unique or high-end, you may want to negotiate for a better split like 70/30.
Step 7

Business Cards: Usually, you will be given a small space for your art or craft in the store. Set up your business card on a shelf near your work. This is great for marketing.
Step 8

About the Artist: Take a few minutes and write down how you got your start, what inspires you and how your art or craft is unique. Laminate it and hang it up in your booth. People love to read things about the artist and it may make them want to come back for more.