I am interested in "applying" to ARTFUL HOME's online gallery to market some of my work. Does anyone have any experience with them? Opinions? Thoughts?
FYI, their site is https://www.artfulhome.com/servlet/Guild/MarketYourArtwork.html
Their fee structure seems reasonable at $25 monthly fee with no limit on submissions. However, they do take a hefty 50% commission and it takes 30 days to get paid (should you be lucky enough to sell). The commission does not bother me too much because I could always increase my asking prices. of course, as long as Artful Home can reach a more affluent market than my own efforts.
OK, comment away! ;-)
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I haven't seen any further comments on this particular question. I came across this thread because I had asked my iPhone to do a search on how many catalogs the Artful Home sends out in one mailing, because I have been lucky enough to be one of the artists selected for inclusion in the upcoming Fall 2015 catalog.
I sell steadily, though not copiously, through the Artful Home, and recently my work has changed in terms of aesthetic interest and expression. That is work for which I will need to find different outlets. My experience with Artful Home is that one must set up develop a subjective and aesthetic "brand", and then stick with it. I don't find this different from usual business practice in any field; consistency is good for one's presence in what I would assume to be any site. In fact, I have set up four different sites for my artwork so as not to confuse people who do not understand the wide ranging interests and expressions of a later career artist.
That being said, I have indeed done well with the Artful Home. Furthermore, the people with whom artists deal directly (for me, often on a weekly basis) are absolutely delightful and are always ready to help me in anyway they can.
I am about to create more landscapes inspired by Florida, since I will be moving there later next month. Some of the top "Artist Relationship " folks have already expressed excitement on how that sub-tropical environment will express in my work.
In summation, I think the Artful Home is a wonderful venue for an artist whose work fits into their online gallery "program," and is ready to spend time uploading new work on at least bi-weekly basis.
It has been mentioned that the commission is steep. I know of no other sites wherein so much effort is put into marketing. And, need I really say it, the human connection is a driving force. One must forge relationships.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I know of no other online galleries that deliver dependable results. Sites like etsy are far below my price point. Does anybody have recommendations for other sites wherein work is offered in the high four-figure price point?
PS Artful Home was originally a tightly curated site named The Guild, which offered only fine art.
Jonathan, I have been considering Artful Home for some time now, because it has been recommended by my artist career coach, and she says that several of her other artists have done well there. I have been hesitant though, because of the upfront cost, high commission rates, and eclectic nature of the types of items offered (rather than just fine art). However, I am willing to pay for quality, I just want to be sure that's what Artful Home is. I like what you said about the Artist Relationship staff, so maybe that is worth paying extra for.
I have looked at several other sites (like Artspecifier, Saatchi Art, UGallery, Artspan, Gallery Today, Zatista, etc.). There seem to be so many options, and SO MUCH art online there. It's so confusing! It is good to hear that you are actually selling some art online. I tried ImageKind to sell open edition prints of my originals, and while the quality was decent, they basically tell the artists that you have to drive your own traffic to the site. i attempted to do that, but have had very poor results so far.
That is one of the reasons why I am hesitant to bite on an online gallery for original work. Are you still doing well with Artful since you moved to Florida? Do you know of any other artists using Artful, that are doing well?
If anyone else out there is following this thread, let us know if they, or anyone they know is using Artful, and how are they doing. Thanks!
Artful home sends out the most beautiful catalogs several times a year. They are such a joy to read. They also send out emails to people who sign up for them.
I have purchased jewelry and pottery from their website. One time I was thinking about buying something and did not complete my order. They contacted me to see if I had trouble with their website.
Would there be anything wrong with contacting some of the artists on the site and seeing how they feel about it? Natalie Blake does shows throughout the country and sells on the website. Maybe she has some insights as to how worthwhile it is to do this.
Thanks for the tip. Your comment(s) just make me more comfortable dealing with them. I think it is worthwhile. If I am accepted into their site, I will post updates as they happen.
Regarding 1000Markets (1KM), I agree that it is a beautiful site and the staff/CEO seem very interested in improving the site and listening to their artist sellers. However, I do not agree in their assertion that "the artist has to promote their 1KM portfolio/gallery." If I am going to do ANY promotion, it will be focused on my personal website. After all, why would I spend valuable promotional time and money on promoting a 3rd party site with other artists/artwork?
Of course, if an artist does not have a personal website and they plan to use 1KM as their portfolio/site, then it makes more sense. I just don;t understand what the business model is for 1KM. They have a wonderful site, great potential, but it is VIRTUALLY FREE! They only charge a basic 5.5% + 50 cents per transaction which is really an incredibly low rate because they use Amazon payments. This is about HALF the rate one would pay for their own merchant account and it is MUCH less than if you went directly to Amazon Marketplace and opened your own site (monthly fee and 15% fee). In many ways, i wish they would charge a higher commission. This would make me more comfortable thinking that they have the money/profits to promote themselves and all of us by proxy. Perhaps they will raise their fees or perhaps they have some type of sweet deal with amazon (kickbacks).
Well, one must venture on and persevere :-)
Michelle Sholund said:
I have met with some of the people behind Artfulhome.com which used to be Wholesale.com - I think. They do well, more high end type buyers and artists. They do a lot of publicity which really has helped boost some artists careers - but I am sure it isn't for everyone, as everything in this world isn't for everyone. I do have a 1000markets.com site, yet haven't had a sale yet. I attribute that to my lack of activity though - I don't think it is there fault at all. I set up my account and it took a little while to get approved, but once I was I haven't had time to manage it and of course add new stuff. But I do agree - it is a very nice site!
I have met with some of the people behind Artfulhome.com which used to be Wholesale.com - I think. They do well, more high end type buyers and artists. They do a lot of publicity which really has helped boost some artists careers - but I am sure it isn't for everyone, as everything in this world isn't for everyone. I do have a 1000markets.com site, yet haven't had a sale yet. I attribute that to my lack of activity though - I don't think it is there fault at all. I set up my account and it took a little while to get approved, but once I was I haven't had time to manage it and of course add new stuff. But I do agree - it is a very nice site!
Yes, but that should not scare you away. Their business model IS to have lots of artwork / lots of variety. Their site is obviously well maintained and easy to navigate. My one concern is whether or not they market well and if they bring in viewership / buyers. I was hoping someone had prior experience with them.
I think I will try them out. Assuming I am accepted, the $25 monthly fee seems negligible. I will give them six months and, if within those six months, I do not get any bids OR any additional traffic / referrals to my personal site through them, then it will not be worth it. However, if i get any traffic because of their efforts (or better yet, actual sales) then it is well worthwhile.
I am especially weary of "gallery" sites that charge a high up-front fee or annual fee for their service. I consider these leap-of-faith decisions and, thus, I feel as though i should ask around to see if others have positive experiences with them (see my other forum post asking about "Boundless Gallery").
You should not be weary of sites with "lots of art" and competition. The question / problem you should have is whether or not that particular site does a good job of bringing in buyers to your "store".
So far, I absolutely recommend www.YESSY.com .... www.Etsy.com has also broguht me fre traffic and occasional buyers (which more than pays for the minimal cost).
I also recommend www.1000markets.com but not because it has brought me any buyers as of yet. It is just a very well designed site with a great staff. It is also absolutely FREE ... So nothing to lose and all to gain.
thanks for your reply.
Greg Heihn said:
Hi Steven. I took a look at that site. My first impression was WOW! What a lot of art work! That would be my fear that one would get lost in the volume of work.
Hi Steven. I took a look at that site. My first impression was WOW! What a lot of art work! That would be my fear that one would get lost in the volume of work.
Replies
I sell steadily, though not copiously, through the Artful Home, and recently my work has changed in terms of aesthetic interest and expression. That is work for which I will need to find different outlets. My experience with Artful Home is that one must set up develop a subjective and aesthetic "brand", and then stick with it. I don't find this different from usual business practice in any field; consistency is good for one's presence in what I would assume to be any site. In fact, I have set up four different sites for my artwork so as not to confuse people who do not understand the wide ranging interests and expressions of a later career artist.
That being said, I have indeed done well with the Artful Home. Furthermore, the people with whom artists deal directly (for me, often on a weekly basis) are absolutely delightful and are always ready to help me in anyway they can.
I am about to create more landscapes inspired by Florida, since I will be moving there later next month. Some of the top "Artist Relationship " folks have already expressed excitement on how that sub-tropical environment will express in my work.
In summation, I think the Artful Home is a wonderful venue for an artist whose work fits into their online gallery "program," and is ready to spend time uploading new work on at least bi-weekly basis.
It has been mentioned that the commission is steep. I know of no other sites wherein so much effort is put into marketing. And, need I really say it, the human connection is a driving force. One must forge relationships.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I know of no other online galleries that deliver dependable results. Sites like etsy are far below my price point. Does anybody have recommendations for other sites wherein work is offered in the high four-figure price point?
PS Artful Home was originally a tightly curated site named The Guild, which offered only fine art.
Jonathan, I have been considering Artful Home for some time now, because it has been recommended by my artist career coach, and she says that several of her other artists have done well there. I have been hesitant though, because of the upfront cost, high commission rates, and eclectic nature of the types of items offered (rather than just fine art). However, I am willing to pay for quality, I just want to be sure that's what Artful Home is. I like what you said about the Artist Relationship staff, so maybe that is worth paying extra for.
I have looked at several other sites (like Artspecifier, Saatchi Art, UGallery, Artspan, Gallery Today, Zatista, etc.). There seem to be so many options, and SO MUCH art online there. It's so confusing! It is good to hear that you are actually selling some art online. I tried ImageKind to sell open edition prints of my originals, and while the quality was decent, they basically tell the artists that you have to drive your own traffic to the site. i attempted to do that, but have had very poor results so far.
That is one of the reasons why I am hesitant to bite on an online gallery for original work. Are you still doing well with Artful since you moved to Florida? Do you know of any other artists using Artful, that are doing well?
If anyone else out there is following this thread, let us know if they, or anyone they know is using Artful, and how are they doing. Thanks!
I have purchased jewelry and pottery from their website. One time I was thinking about buying something and did not complete my order. They contacted me to see if I had trouble with their website.
Would there be anything wrong with contacting some of the artists on the site and seeing how they feel about it? Natalie Blake does shows throughout the country and sells on the website. Maybe she has some insights as to how worthwhile it is to do this.
Thanks for the tip. Your comment(s) just make me more comfortable dealing with them. I think it is worthwhile. If I am accepted into their site, I will post updates as they happen.
Regarding 1000Markets (1KM), I agree that it is a beautiful site and the staff/CEO seem very interested in improving the site and listening to their artist sellers. However, I do not agree in their assertion that "the artist has to promote their 1KM portfolio/gallery." If I am going to do ANY promotion, it will be focused on my personal website. After all, why would I spend valuable promotional time and money on promoting a 3rd party site with other artists/artwork?
Of course, if an artist does not have a personal website and they plan to use 1KM as their portfolio/site, then it makes more sense. I just don;t understand what the business model is for 1KM. They have a wonderful site, great potential, but it is VIRTUALLY FREE! They only charge a basic 5.5% + 50 cents per transaction which is really an incredibly low rate because they use Amazon payments. This is about HALF the rate one would pay for their own merchant account and it is MUCH less than if you went directly to Amazon Marketplace and opened your own site (monthly fee and 15% fee). In many ways, i wish they would charge a higher commission. This would make me more comfortable thinking that they have the money/profits to promote themselves and all of us by proxy. Perhaps they will raise their fees or perhaps they have some type of sweet deal with amazon (kickbacks).
Well, one must venture on and persevere :-)
Michelle Sholund said:
Yes, but that should not scare you away. Their business model IS to have lots of artwork / lots of variety. Their site is obviously well maintained and easy to navigate. My one concern is whether or not they market well and if they bring in viewership / buyers. I was hoping someone had prior experience with them.
I think I will try them out. Assuming I am accepted, the $25 monthly fee seems negligible. I will give them six months and, if within those six months, I do not get any bids OR any additional traffic / referrals to my personal site through them, then it will not be worth it. However, if i get any traffic because of their efforts (or better yet, actual sales) then it is well worthwhile.
I am especially weary of "gallery" sites that charge a high up-front fee or annual fee for their service. I consider these leap-of-faith decisions and, thus, I feel as though i should ask around to see if others have positive experiences with them (see my other forum post asking about "Boundless Gallery").
You should not be weary of sites with "lots of art" and competition. The question / problem you should have is whether or not that particular site does a good job of bringing in buyers to your "store".
So far, I absolutely recommend www.YESSY.com .... www.Etsy.com has also broguht me fre traffic and occasional buyers (which more than pays for the minimal cost).
I also recommend www.1000markets.com but not because it has brought me any buyers as of yet. It is just a very well designed site with a great staff. It is also absolutely FREE ... So nothing to lose and all to gain.
thanks for your reply.
Greg Heihn said: