Selling On Etsy

Purchase This In My Shop

I have slowly developed a huge respect for any and all Etsy sellers. For those of us who are serious about putting our noses to the grindstone and really making something for ourselves in the world of Handmade Selling, we often find that we are way in over our heads. I thought setting up shop was hard. Creating an image for myself, listing a few things, creating an "about" profile...boy was I misguided back then as to what would be difficult and what would be easy!

Purchase This In My Shop

Purchase This In My Shop

There is a LOT to Etsy that one can simply not understand until you have set your mind to selling. Did you know that not only do you have to have decent pictures for your listings, but you need to have professional looking pictures! A quick snapshot isn't going to fly. My new process (adopted in the last few months) takes me about twenty minutes for the picture itself. Don't get me started on tags, titles, shipping, pricing, descriptions, and then promoting. Yes...all those matter too. So to the me two years ago who first started considering Etsy...good luck! It takes a minimum of 30 minutes to get that listing up and presentable.

I have learned a thing or two, however, and I think that I am going to continue to learn as I fumble my way through the world of selling art. You don't just make a listing and wait for the sales to come in! That was a huge lesson to learn. One must look around and know that art is a hard market to be in, and in order to be successful, you must be willing to put yourself "out there." You must be prepared for criticism and naysayers. You must be prepared for slow times and times of feeling discouraged. And as funny as this will sound...you must be prepared for people to ask you to lower your prices for them. I highly recommend having a professional yet kind way of declining unless you feel so inclined to lower your price!

In the spirit of loving art and loving Etsy, I am featuring a few shops I admire for their beauty, diversity, and success! I am sure each of these shop owners have their own stories, lessons learned, and list of musts! Enjoy their shops and show them some love and attention!

Visit Liz Here

I have admired Liz for the longest time- her art stands out to me in a way a lot of art simply cannot. She seems to see things in a different light! In my mind, she has a rare and beautiful talent! Below are a few lovely pieces from her shop that I have handpicked to be some of her best (in my opinion!)

              

Visit Becci Here

Becci takes a unique and whimsy spin on nature! Her art reflects both quirky and realistic work in one pleasant painting. I see her art as if she is trying to present the viewer glimpses into quiet moments we would otherwise miss! Below are just a few of her many wonderful paintings!

Visit Joanna Here

 With such a unique, reminiscent style, Joanna gives the impression that she has been to places no one else has. Her eye for detail, her focus on all things lovely, and the simple elegance her art holds is unparalleled by any others for me. The three images below are just a small selection of her many beauties!

                                                                       All of the art and artists listed above are Members of the Etsy community, their images are subject to copyright. I own and take no credit for any of the images above.

Summer Sales

Most Etsy users have spoken of how slow summertime is for those of us trying to sell. While some days it may seem that way for me, I have found that the past month has been rather successful and rewarding!

This little fellow has now traveled to two different locations in the U.S. His sudden burst of popularity was quite a surprise to me! 

Click here to purchase him! 

Coming as no surprise to me, a well loved returning customer purchased a 12 set of Watercolor Tears greeting cards and another 12 set of Wounded Angel! It's always very pleasing to see how loved some pieces are! 

Click here to purchase either of these prints or click here to purchase greeting cards.

Be sure to check in regularly- fun things are always happening on Etsy!

3/30/15

Over the past months I've discovered a love for painting on old barn wood. It adds a sort of unique mystery and character to what would otherwise be "just another sign."

However, this sign seems to go strides beyond "unique." Although it does look usual from a distance, take a second glance at the picture above! The blue paint it authentic to whatever building it was intended for. Other than the little chair, I painted nothing on the left end of this wood. The "green" above and around the chair is actually moss! I decided to replicate the color to "frame" the rest of the sign.

I look forward to exploring the areas around my new home this summer! I think I will find more wood like this to paint on! Keep an eye out on my etsy store for this sign and others!

3/29/15

I feel rather odd lately having an art business titled "Montana Songbird" seeing as I've moved within the last month.

I originally named my business so fondly after Montana because that's where I was located. However, I now live in North Carolina and let's be honest "North Carolina Songbird" just doesn't sound right. 

Thus, I've decided since it was founded in Montana I see no reason why I need to change my business name. However, I felt I ought to inform those of you who have purchased from me in the past and may in the future that I am no longer creating art out of Montana.

I truly look forward to the endless sources of new inspiration that will be presented to me. The ecosystem in North Carolina is entirely different from what I am accustomed to. Nevertheless, it is of equal beauty in my opinion! 

My family and I enjoyed a trip to Charleston, South Carolina where we visited the magnificent Magnolia Plantation. There I had the opportunity to photograph some of the gardens (portrayed in a rather sad picture above.) My hope is that I'll be able to look at some of my pictures and get some new inspiration for paintings!

Some of you may have noticed that my shop has been on "vacation" over the last month. I am now back and running Montana Art Studio. However, I don't have access to my prints so my usual listings won't be available for some time. I will be working on some new pieces so keep an eye out for those over the next several weeks.

1/13/15

        Up until about a week before Christmas, my sales had consisted of prints of my artwork. I had yet to sell an original. I had been bustling about with Christmas orders (mainly my latest hit and newest shop addition, Greeting Cards.) I actually didn't expect to see this one go.
        However, that all changed when I was sitting down watching some Hallmark Christmas love story. I was notified that this beauty (painted on an old piece of wood that was originally one of my Husband's building projects) had sold!

       As odd as it sounds, it was really bittersweet to send off an original! Never having done that, I found myself so proud and yet, at the same time very sad to say goodbye!
I later heard that this arrived safe and sound and was well loved by it's new owner!
Now, I find myself rather excited to sell more original pieces!
       Another thing I've been considering is how neat it is to think of all the places my art is now! I broke 16 sales during Christmas! That is 16 different places my art calls home (a few of which have even left the United States!) I can't wait to see where else my paintings end up.

     

Hello!

Hello There! My name is Kiersten! I am 19 years old and very passionate about most anything I set my mind to.  I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon and honestly, it's always been a part of me. I've never taken an art class! I can't pin point the time I went from a doodling kid to a devoted artist.  But, if I look back at my work from even just two years ago, I am certain there must have come a time when I subconsciously decided to get real about art!  I've never "colored in the lines" and I've always had a very unique style. I am influenced by the natural world that surrounds me. My changing environment causes my artwork to change as well. My wonderful mom, dad, brother, and husband all encouraged me to do something with my art and so here I am trying to run a little shop out of my home in Montana! Thank you to all who view, love, and appreciate my art! I am so thankful for you! And to those who purchase any of my pieces, thank you for giving my art a loving home and supporting my passion!

This original piece is available for purchase.
Click Here to Visit Listing