Apparently only about four people on the planet knew that I had a new set of Red Flannel Elephant cards printed some months ago...even Andy's parents didn't realise. I am not mad keen on announcing stuff for sale with trumpets and fireworks; I know it's what one ought to do, but I feel (and this is entirely a personal thing) that to do so ostentatiously is a little like inviting people to a nice tea party and then trying to flog them a second hand motor. It works for others, but I feel uncomfortable about it. However, I've been furiously busy all week making up sample packs and direct mailing lovely little shops, which I feel far easier with. And the response has been pleasingly surprising. Step forward the Church Hill Gallery, in Knutsford, Cheshire, who now have a goodly stock of the 'Lost Toys' collection. This is their order, all piled up for packing.
And here is the order for the delightful Ptolemy's Toyshop, in Brackley...
This morning I had more orders from gorgeous Pad in Chorlton, Lancashire and Penny from Natural Attrill. (She's not a card shop but she is a jolly good friend and valued customer). So I'm on a roll. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get round to doing this, but I was galvanised this week. I've whipped up order forms...
...made various bits of stationary...
...and printed off some formal address labels, after Andy observed that my habit of addressing envelopes in large print with fat, black marker pen gave the impression that I was selling hob nailed boots, not greetings cards...
I'm now thinking about new designs, (painting again - scary stuff) and even what to do for the 2007 Christmas set. Next step is a proper eBay shop, when I really will be trying to flog a secondhand motor - that is to say, sell people 'Out There' my cards and a few old bits of artwork I found lying around.
If you would like to know when it is up and running, please drop me an email. One careful lady owner.
22 comments:
Thats brillient about ptolemys, I'm really pleased for you and all the other shops. I need to get mailing and painting and blogging.
Gretel - what is an "art blog" for, if not to announce what you are doing with your art?!? (What is one of the reasons we read it anyway??? For JUST such information!)
Please announce. If you really can't bear to do so here, go ahead and send me an email (I may have to announce it on *my* blog :-P )!
Your cards and accompanying labels and inserts look great, btw. :-)
I love the labels and stationary (and cards) you made up. Go ahead and announce! Nothing pushy about that; only pushy if you invite people over and then don't let them leave if they don't buy something :)
enjoying catching up. i'm glad its going well.
and i really love the silhouette pics/cards, fab.
oooh so much has happened since I moved away, it all sounds just great :o) I'm coming home on monday, may stay over night, so if you're free can I pop round!?
(I'm also one of those people who can't resist scrawling on big envelopes/parcels with big fat black marker pen! I try to restrain myself and write small and neatly, but it just doesn't happen!)
You could put it the other way round, at my house, maybe you've come to the greasy spoon cafe and I'd flog you a Rolls Royce.
Penny.xx
p.s
Anyone reading this, the cards are lovely, do buy lots!
About blinking time, too!!! As a very satisfied customer, I think you should be shouting your wares from the rooftops, but you know that already, because I told you so!! Seriously, I'm not at all surprised that you've had a great response, and I'm delighted - they're absolutely beautiful :)
You know I think promoting yourself is one of the scariest things but this might help. Someone once advised me that marketing should be all about sharing with the world something that you are passionate about. Your passionate about your art, which is brilliant, so don't hide your light under a bushel tell the world all about it starting with us your blog readers especially us because we really want to see your stuff and know where we can buy it.
Hope you are taking note of all the above! Everyone who sees it LOVES your work so you are just being selfish if you keep it to yourself!
xx
OH YES PLEASE, me too me too me too.
I can barely wait for E-bay even though I don't "do" E-bay because of a bad experience...but I would reconsider ONLY because it's you :)
I am getting excited, can you tell?
You are one talented (and organized!!) Ladyyyy!! :)
They look wonderful and I agree that it would be a selfish thing to keep them to your self - spread the beauty!!!
Have you considered Etsy too? I think they would sell like hot cakes there (is that the right expression?)!!
x's
m.
Hurrah! I let out a cheer from my side of the world after I read about the great response to your card sets. And one can sometimes be TOO careful.
hem. thank you - everyone. I am slightly blushing but very reassured...
Maya, I can't sell them on Etsy because a) you are not allowed to sell the same product from their site as another one and b) it is a mass produced product - I get hundreds printed, so it doesn't even fit into the artist print category. Alas.
Ooo, well done you! The whole package looks lovely! I do see what you mean about the thick black felt pen on parcels. I always have a sneaky suspicion the postie won't see the address unless I scrawl it big and black!
Gretel, I am so excited and delighted... and what IS an art blog for if not to announce and shout and jump up and down about the wonderful things you've done. This is, indeed a wonderful thing. (Marketing is hard... and frankly, no fun... but you are doing really really good.)
Yea you!
Jenny
Oh its good to know that I'm not the only one who uses black parker pens and I'm useless at self promotion too, but seeing how well you are doing, and deservedly so, makes me think I should be a bit better organised and a bit braver too. Well done and congrats on the orders, your work is beautiful and original!
these all look gorgeous! I hope they do really well for you! Thanks for all the great movie tips, they all sound great, I will try to get a hold of them!
Let me know when it is up and running. I am in the process of doing one for my tiles. Oh by the way I have tagged you on puple coo so off you go and tell us 8 things we didnt knwo about you or something suchlike... see "The other side of me" for an example under un peu loufoques profile its a new blog of mine and go from there.
PG - I've often wondered where I can get hold of your prints - I think they're wonderful. Please let me know where I can buy them. Of course you must advertise! Please invite me to a nice tea party - you never know, I might even buy a used car from you.
Good luck with this new venture! Looks very interesting. No doubt it ought to be quite a bit different from just illustrating.
I think it's a very unique concept to actually mail a real card off like that. I've been keeping some licensing ideas bubbling on the back broiler myself... wondering what form they ought to assume.
So I'll be very curious how this all works out for you.
How to make a living from ART... THAT is the question!
:0)
jn
p.s. I can tell you already that your timid notions of not blowing your horn are all wrong! I'm quite certain that success in such a venture ought to require a good deal of promotion. So I'd agree that you ought not hide your light beneath a bushel!
I am so glad I didn't resist temptation and read yet another post of yours! Here's my email address: MariaSPQR@hotmail.com.
Please keep me in the loop, I am looking forward to your Christmas cards, and all the others, too.
Thank you!
On the 20th of June, from Vienna,
looking forward to Christmas,
Merisi :-)
Hello Gorgeous. Just wanted to say that your lovely cards are going down a storm in Chorlton. We'll certainly be contacting you again soon for a second supply. I hope you are keeping ok during this horrible summer weather and look forward to seeing some sun v. soon. Love Pad-chorlton.
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