I'm an artist, I like to paint old furniture and transform it, Where I can sell them?

Question

I live in Florida, I will like to know another alternative , different than ebay...

Answer 1

Check at your local antique/arts-and-crafts consignment stores. Our area has them where individual artists/craftspersons have their own little area and the person who runs it hires a local person to ring things up and keep the money straight. Make sure you have a good amount ready to sell, go down and stock your little area and run straight home to start making more. (The people who run them do not like empty spaces.) As soon as stuff sells you fill up your space again. They take a small amount for your share of the rent and expenses, but it still works out cheaper than having your own studio. Nice being able to say "Ah yes, my work is down at (insert name of place) rather than the sweaty hot flea market or art and wine festival assuming it doesn't rain. (Been there - done that - you can keep that.)

Answer 2

EBay definitely offers the most exposure just because more people think to look there. If you don't have a website, I'd recommend starting there. That's the short answer.

If you don't want to go online, if you're in Florida, there's most likely lots of tourists somplace near you, so you might consider renting a storefront during cruise season, get a space at a local craft show--tourists head to FL as early as mid November, which is prime Christmas shopping season.

You also might consider placing an ad in the Sunny Day Guides that I think every city in FL offers. If you're near Tampa/St Pete, you're in an especially good area because of all the artsy folks drawn to Sarasota. I'd check local listings for art shows, etc (you'll get a heckuva lot more for your furniture at an 'art' show than a 'craft' show--amazing what a word can do).

Or if you can afford to rent some local space and bill it as your 'studio' (advertise in the paper, the Sunny Day Guides, etc), you'll get your business. Tourists will go to the rotten end of town to check out an art studio...and be proud about it because they went 'off the beaten path'. Heck, if you can cordon off part of your home as your 'studio', that works too.

Basically, you've got a great crowd there--work it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

You might set up at one of those famous Florida Flea Markets, or if you have any craft shows in your area. Not necessarily to make big sales, but to get your name out there. Have business cards available, and talk to your neighboring vendors, see what they recommend as a good place to sell at. It's hard to know what is available to you not being there! Ebay is great for selling well painted items, but with furniture the shipping is the bad part of it.
Another possibility is antique stores.

Answer 4

People make entire careers out of shows - not flea markets, but upper level festivals and charity benefit kind of things. In my area, pretty much every museum has a giant fundraiser where they encourage artisans to sell their wares.

Also, you could find a co-op gallery in your area.

Answer 5

I say try the newspaper. Run the items individually and people will likely think you are just selling the one piece and that sort of makes you more reputable. Best wishes

Answer 6

Contact the American Craft Council, www.craftcouncil.org.

Answer 7

There have to be galleries that will accept our furniture. i you want to go for a drive, Key West has some, I'm sure.

Answer 8

Look for your local fleamarkets, auctions,or you can use craigslist (but make sure you can provide nice pictures).

Answer 9

How about a farmer's market or a flea market in your area?

Answer 10

there are tons and tons of flea markets in florida!!! rent yourself a spot, have fun and good luck!!