Selling Your Art: It’s Not Real ‘Til You Share It
I wish I would’ve understood this 4 years ago. That’s why I’m saying it so bluntly now - I hope you will be catapulted farther and faster towards your art dreams because of it. If you’ve been making art, and are wondering if you “should” sell it:
You ARE ready to sell your art.
Like so many of us out there, I strive for excellence in whatever I’m doing. Academics, career, sports (okay maybe my tennis career never really hit that excellence mark, but)…and now my art.
After years of not doing any ceramics or painting to speak of, I was excited to get back into it. I barely even noticed that invisible hand holding me back, as I thought to myself, I’ll hunker down and take a bunch of classes, research and practice to get REALLY GOOD, and THEN I’ll show everyone what I’ve been up to.
When people would ask, “Do you sell your work?”, I’d respond with a self-depricating apologetic mumble about having JUST gotten back into it, and I’m still learning, and maybe next year…
We have to pick a direction.
No more coasting on a road we didn’t mean to choose.
What that REALLY meant though was, I’m scared. If I say my work is for sale, then I’m saying it has value. It is ready. It is worth being admired, used, that it could actually make someone happy. When I say it is for sale, it is Done. It is Shipped, as Seth Godin would say. (His concept “Ship Your Work” is so powerful, discussed in his books and blog - see Key Resources below).
Well I read his books. I believed that concept. I said, oh YES that makes a lot of sense. So I will do that. Soon. Like as soon as I just figure out this one technique. Or create a cohesive body work with a unique personal style all my own that I LOVE. Ha. That is NOT what he meant.
“We don’t ship the work because we’re creative. We’re creative because we ship the work.”
One thing I love that Seth Godin says - the project you’re working on right now? Just finish it, and ship it. And then the NEXT one can be perfect. This concept I’ve heard again and again in other circles - just finish it. Submit it in a show, list it for sale, or even just box it up and send it to a friend. And then make 10 more.
I’ve been so slow making over the last few years, trying to perfect each specific piece. Or waiting until I have huge chunks of time to create. But this approach does not end in amazing art. It results in work that is overly refined and safe. And it keeps ME safe, because I don’t have to hear someone say they don’t want it, or walk past it, or buy something else instead.
But this “safety” doesn’t serve me, like at ALL. It is NOT in alignment with what I want for myself, which is to live a big life, creating amazing things, sharing them with others; learning, teaching and connecting over the beauty of art and life. I don’t care how woo-woo that sounds. It’s me. And I’ll NEVER get there by making 10 mugs a year and hiding in my studio. Time to take the leap.
Here’s me, taking the leap.
It’s a metaphor. (But that really happened though.)
So in 2025, I’m gearing up to MAKE AND SHARE AND SELL my art. Come with me and let’s lay out the 3 main ways to get started, just a brief summary for now, so we don’t get bogged down in details and can get into action.
3 Simple Ways to Get Started Selling Your Art
In Person.
Places to sell in person include local craft or street fairs, church bazaars, or even hosting your own “art open house,” inviting friends and family over for some holiday (or post-holiday) snacks, drinks, and a no-pressure display of your art for sale. Take cash or Venmo to start, especially when you’re just selling a piece here and there to try it out. It is wild how much of a thrill it is for someone to pay you for a piece you are proud of, even when it’s just a small amount. Again, at this first stage, do not even stress about pricing. What is a number that you would let it go for? Enough to make it worth the process of selling, the materials, and your time? And then let it go. No overthinking allowed. You’ll know if it’s too low because you’ll have a sinking feeling in your gut as they walk away. You’ll know if it’s too high because you’ll feel guilty, or you’ll get a lot of interest without any takers.
Instagram or Facebook.
Another simple strategy - create a post with one picture for each work you’d like to sell. Instruct those interested to write SOLD in the comments. Caption each photo, including the purchase price, and maybe the size and weight of the piece. Then you DM them to make payment and delivery arrangements. In the post you’ll want to specify whether you’ll deliver in person, make an exchange locally in public, or if you’ll ship to certain areas.
Etsy, Shopify, or Website.
Once you’ve tested the waters and want to get more official, do your research on which platform makes the most sense for the type of art you create. Considerations include fees taken by the platform, ease of checkout for the customer, and ease of listing the items for you. Make sure to look into the details of taxes and registering your business when you sell enough to qualify. The rules vary by state and I’m not an expert. But hopefully I will be soon, so I’ll keep you posted! There are lots of good resources out there on the interwebs for each stage of the game.
I hope you are motivated to sell or share your art with others in some way. It starts a conversation, it brings a broader perspective to your work, and it makes you a better artist. Oh, and it funds your habit to go buy more art supplies, or more art from other creators!
WHICH NEXT ACTION FITS YOU?
Here are 3 easy actions to take now. You know which one you’re most likely to actually do, so start there.
Quick Win:
Today, and I mean today, post a picture of a recent piece of work, with a caption describing the piece briefly, like materials used and what inspired you to make it. Then, ask for feedback! For example: What do you think about the handle shape?
Solid Solution:
Gather the items you’re ready to sell. Decide if an in-person event or an Instagram or Facebook post feels easiest to you. For an in-person event, you’ll want to have enough work to create a nice display. You don’t need a ton of back-stock though; if you sell out, that’s a good problem to have! Then put a date on the calendar and DO IT! (If you don’t want to worry about sales, and prefer to give things away, do that, writing a note to each person and delivering the items all in one afternoon. Feels great and gets you motivated to keep creating!)
Treat Yourself:
Plan a small reward with a percentage of sales to motivate you to get out there and just do it! And if you don’t sell anything, give yourself a little consolation prize - at least a coffee - for having the guts to do it. Then plan your next event!
I know I have work to do in this area. I’ve been taking baby steps, but this is the year to swan dive into the deep end! Make, share, sell and ship it. Watch for my next sale and keep me accountable. 😬🎨🏺💵🎉
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. ”
I can’t wait to see your work for sale! Tag me when you make it real!
With enthusiasm for art & life,
Heidi
P.S. - Because I can’t help myself, the nerd in me must tell you that the Thoreau quote above is actually often attributed to him, but is a paraphrasing from the conclusion of his 1854 work Walden, “I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, an endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Key References & Resources
Godin, Seth. Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? Portfolio, 2010.
Seth Godin’s blog can be found at https://seths.blog. It’s filled with daily insights on creativity, marketing, and making an impact with your work.