HOW TO SELL YOUR ART - A Complete Guide to My Methods for Selling - Eps 136

I carefully explain the 5 points that helped me become a successful artist who could make a living selling the art I make.

[@magicunicorn4070]

One more thing: I agree with having many to choose from. Even when I look at my own pieces, I notice that the more there are, the better they ALL look, because they contrast each other. Different styles, colors, etc. It also clearly shows that no two pieces I make are ever the same. Each one is unique. I'm not really a big seller... I tend to just sell stuff to friends, and to their friends who see it and want one made for them. There is also a boutique in another state that sells some of my pieces on consignment. It's not a living for me, just a hobby, and I often give pieces to friends as gifts, but I'm learning a lot by watching your videos. Pricing has been the hardest thing. If the price is too low, people assume it's junk and don't buy it. If it's too high, well... it's too high. There's definitely a magic middle ground somewhere.

[@heidiscarrott9183]

Lovely videos Matt. Thank you. Another one is to wear pieces of your own jewellery/ creations ( if possible) and when someone comments on it, say I make my own jewellery and give them a business card with your selling details on.

[@MattsCrazyArt]

No business cards. Say, "You want to buy this?" and take it off you and put it on them. Of they resist, insist you must sell it to them. If they try to take it off, put it back on and give them the look, like, "We could do this all day but you're gonna have to buy it at some point."

[@ataattosbt]

Heidi Scarrott I absolutely agree if you believe in your work you wear your work & let it open conversations for you. Read the book “The Go-Giver”. Your focus will always be on serving others and that includes intuitively knowing when you when you are getting too pushy with your approach i.e. violating boundaries. On the other hand creating a fun opportunity for that person to play with your jewelry can bring her back to playing dress up as a child, a teen, or an adult. It is said Estee Lauder started her cosmetics empire engaging women with spontaneous conversations to try her makeup.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Oh my... I have tried to explain this to my mother (she beads, often using premium beads), and she is the one who told me that a crafter never gets money back for time spent creating a piece. Then the pieces are priced about three times the material cost and appeal to a specific consumer. Your pricing is more along how I think handicrafts (my Scout is showing) should be priced. PS: I am loving your videos, no nonsense learning is my favorite.

[@earthmombooks]

well said and also a fan of Matt's Crazy Art and videos! It's my vibe for sure.

[@mymomisjudgedredd1288]

Linda Jones have to agree with ya lady!!

[@bd8855]

Have her look for a gallery in your city 😁

[@sharonmartinez7851]

I really like your formula for pricing. In my opinion, your tutorial on selling your crafts is the best I have seen. I also enjoy your wire wrapping tutorials, you are amazing. Thanks.

[@MsRavenFira]

Thank you so much for this video. I've got a career change plan with goals. Kind of finally going for my dream as an artist. I've raised 4 kids, worked all my life for unappreciative companies, and am a mixed media hobbyist artist along with polymer clay bead/pendant creations. I've dabbled with wire wrapping and just love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing from your own experience.😁

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Great tips Matt. I used to do a lot of craft shows and now sell mostly on Etsy. We were lucky we found our niche making wedding cake toppers. It wasn't even our idea, but a client that told us they were going to use our wire sculpture as a cake topper. My best advice: Listen to your clients and be open to custom orders! PS Love your style of educational videos with the notes!

[@piepeeya4604]

When I go to a show or event, I usually start with asking questions, then ask to see the item(s), if they sigh or reply that I am wasting their time, I walk away. I walked away from a jewelry stand once because I wanted to try several rings and the lady actually told me to quit wasting her time. I said thank you and walked. You are right Matt, attitude makes a difference. =)

[@lindamcdermott9980]

Matt, this video was so helpful. I am doing a craft show this weekend, the first in a long time. I have two tables available and a variety of items. Includes wire wrap necklaces, alcohol ink tiles, watercolor matted framed pictures in two sizes. More matted watercolors in sleeves, painted rocks, a bunch of larger unframed pieces in acrylic and oil. I have been watching your videos and taking your advice on presentation, talking to other artists regarding pricing. I even have leads on some future events. I’m 76 yo, I do art all the time, so as you can imagine, I have quite a collection of stuff to part with. The information you present is invaluable to me, your personality mirrors my own (there is a little clown inside of me that enjoys everything creative). Thank you for all your inspiration and enthusiasm. Good luck with your new shop.

[@GAwildflower]

Genius! This can be applied to so many things! I paid $500 for a holistic bodywork business bootcamp and this is it in a nutshell. Slightly different - we were told the first thing was to search for others in complementary or similar fields, so that I wouldn’t be competing but enhancing them. I didn’t realize at the time but this was isolating and limiting and now I’m opened up to the possibilities of learning from others doing similar things to me. 🌠

[@jayneswanson4267]

Found you today, and was impressed with your manner of speaking...you sound very confident plus your humor puts people at ease. I love how you talk about your art and your instructions sound easy and relaxed. But most of all I love your jewelry designs...they are beautiful and look complicated but when you demonstrated how to make them, you made it seem so simple. Thank you for the tutorials I watched today...at least 4 or 5. I will continue to follow you and wish you the best of luck and success in the future!

[@MattsCrazyArt]

Thanks!

[@cydgay4230]

Your explanation of the Rule of 10 is very helpful.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Yes!

[@taisedourado6267]

There's no words to thank you for the work you do in your videos.

[@joannajennings9244]

I can't tell you how many times I've read and seen videos on this topic. Your approach is very real world and practical. Was very disappointed with my first festival....not much in sales. However, I was sharing the booth and had 110 items of jewelry. Just went back to look. I sold 9 items. Amazing how that Rule of 10 really works! I really appreciate you sharing your insight. Happy hour with 3 of my artist friends tomorrow night!!! New subscriber!

[@MattsCrazyArt]

You got this, Joanna!!!

[@dianebrown9303]

Thank you so much. This has been so incredibly helpful. I am just starting out with making jewelry and haven't started selling yet. Man, I can't wait to give it a go.

[@kathy4451]

Great tips Matt! I was selling my jewelry from work as my employer gifted me a cookie/cake display and I used that to showcase my stuff .it was placed so people could see it as soon as they entered the store. This was great for 2yrs, but after i had heallth issues and was unable to continue to work and my presence was lacking my sales drastically dropped. I made the difference in my sales just by being there and conversing with the customers when they expressed interest.. time to find some shows i guess. Thanks for sharing!

[@tammimccormick7300]

Great info , I sold like this for many years , it will come natural after awhile what u r saying . I am super shy , but I found it brought me out of that when I was self ❤️

[@moniqaf]

Thank you. I am not a sales person so this will help me. Plus I'm shy.

[@meloneebeal1060]

Hi Matt!!! Love your videos!! You are an amazing Artist!! I appreciate that you are willing to share your craft with us......that shows how unselfish and giving of a person you are!! This video is so awesome and I appreciate you sharing your personal experience on how to build a successful jewelry business!! I managed to get a screen shot of your notes......after Siri helped me figure it out!! 😆 😂 Thank you for your humor and being yourself!! I laugh out loud all the time while watching your videos!!! 😆🤪🦄

[@harmony331000]

Great vid and great info...thank you very much....this is the area I struggle with the most...I make a ton of beautiful art but I suck at selling it!

[@MattsCrazyArt]

It's 99% of artists's biggest struggle. That's why it takes a lot of struggle to learn what works for each person.

[@harmony331000]

Matt's Crazy Art Thank you for that! It’s nice to know there are so many others feeling the burn with me 😬

[@maryshannon3326]

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom from years of experimenting, and trial and error. I really love your videos and down to earth teaching style.

[@Angela_Newburn]

Very informative and helpful video. 😊

[@tiffanibsc]

Thank you so much for this! 🙏 I never know how to introduce my product without feeling pushy, but these tips are genuinely trying to help them. This explains so much! I mostly came for the pricing but loved it all.

[@tiffanibsc]

I forgot to ask if you know how to price when someone supply's you a stone to wrap for them. Do you just charge for the time it took you to wrap each stone?

[@MattsCrazyArt]

The same because the stone cost them money but the custom work is going out of your way so they kind of balance out. But I first describe what I can do and see what they want and if we come to an agreement, I quote a high price and ask if that is in their price range. If they enthusiastically say yes, then it wasn't too high at all. If their face looks disappointed, I go lower and say, "How about this?" Usually it can work.

[@rozzyros]

LOVE THIS GUY! Thank you for the information!

[@MartiHanba]

Matt, I just want to tell you that I'm enjoying your art and your videos so much. So helpful, and your work is lovely. Thanks!

[@sarahfortune1170]

Thank you Matt for taking the time to teach us from your experience. God bless you.

[@KAREN-OAKES]

matt ..you are spot on !!!!!,,u are such a good ssalesman

[@FreedomForever1964]

I am totally loving your videos! You are fun, quirky, and just plain honest. I love that.... you are real, and that's why you are a success! God bless you!!💯👍💪❤

[@annwinberry7321]

Thank you so much for all the helpful information ! I just found your channel and enjoy watching you and learning too.

[@nancyfrix6858]

Amazing invaluable information!!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! You're just awesome! Your vision, your gift to us that want so badly to succeed owe you so much.

[@joannelewis4024]

BTW, you are my mentor! Thank you for everything you share with us, your talent, expertise, advise, and accessibility for beginners like myself.. I am a retired middle school teacher who needed something creative to occupy my time -especially during this difficult time, I just started two months ago during the lockdown here in California, and it has saved my sanity, and has given me a purpose that is exciting, and delightfully fun. It isn't the best time right now to sell my jewelry because you really can't let the public touch your items -but I am considering buying some disposable gloves. Thank you again for saving my sanity, giving me purpose and something fun and exciting to do during this time in my life, sincerely, Joanne

[@robinsmith3469]

Thank you. You do things closer to how I have in the past. I used to do longarm quilting. I was booked a year out because of charging less than the competition and giving discounts to returning customers. I cannot do that work anymore because it's too hard on my body. So I've started learning all I can about jewelry making. I think your advice was excellent and very helpful. I really like the range point. I tend to sell too low sometimes and regret it. So my range is going to change. But I love the flexibility to negotiate with the customers. I thing not only do they appreciate it, especially if they are limited in income, but it can be rewarding for them. And that brings you more clientele. They tell their friends and business grows. Being a negotiating person makes customers feel more at ease and they will come back again. Love watching you. I am learning to not be so technical and precise, but to have fun with the craft. I have to say designing quilting designs was challenging, but crafting jewelry is not only challenging but a ton of fun. Thanks for keeping me motivated.

[@godisinfinite6730]

Matt this is very helpful tips! Thank you very much for this awesome information! Sending hugs from Texas! 💙💛💜

[@propertymanagement3033]

Thank you much for this advise....Love your style...

[@carolyns9687]

Very helpful information!! Thanks again!!!

[@tinabluedragon215]

Thanks Matt for sharing. I love your honesty. Your tutorials are so helpful 😊

[@stacyturner1317]

Great, great advice. especially about drawing attention to your booth from across the room with color, large simple signs with your name (or company name), making the artist connections and developing a mentor relationship with them, but my favorite is The Rule of 10. I know from working in numerous sales positions in the past, the Rule of 10 applies to ALL SALES, no matter what you're selling. I was taught to get excited about every person that didn't buy because that was one more person closer to the one that does buy. If I could recommend that you add one more bullet point under your pricing, KNOW YOUR COST, of each item. So many people don't really know what their cost is on each item, and they wonder why they aren't making any money. And your cost should include EVERYTHING you spend money on in order to make the sale. So many people forget to include the cost of the bags, or the boxes that they put the products in, the cost of the booth, their advertising, etc. If you have to pay more for the booth, then your prices need to reflect that, and vice versa. On all my raw materials, I have the cost of that item listed, so when I make something, I can refer to that price, add it all up and come up with a basic cost. Then you add whatever percentage your costs for your advertising, etc costs you, say another 10%. I developed a code for pricing my items that was a word that was 10 letters long, with no repeated letters, and each letter of that word was assigned to the numbers one through ten. That way I could put my cost of each item on the tag and the customer couldn't interpret it, but I could and I would know exactly how much of a discount I could give and still make a profit. I know some of these things I'm including are things only a CPA would think about, but the bottom line is, if you don't know what your cost is for your items, you really don't know if you're making a profit or not, and the end of the year, or even the month, is not really when you want to find that out.

[@elizabethrogers6897]

Fantastic video. Great job explaining pricing. I have been selling for years as a little side hobby but have never been sure if I was pricing things correctly. Your explanation made things so much easier for me. I am hoping to increase my sales and am thinking about a booth. Thank You Matt!😊

[@jsim3957]

i always enjoy your videos.you explain very welland i find you easy to follow.thankyou so much for all the tips for new artist to get started in the business.much continued success.

[@alexg.9241]

💗💗💗💗Great information Matt💗💗💗💗Thank you!💗💗💗💗

[@cynthiaschroeder2181]

Super great advice! Thanks!

[@RAREBREED398]

I appreciate all the help you give, I've been out of work since I have been in treatment for cancer...so the only thing I know is art of many types...my art is what feeds myself and I...so thanks for any advice..I do value your opinion...

[@hkangelfish0710]

Thanks sooooo much for your sharing. I just start this journey and kept thinking what can I do to start it

[@mrcraftivist1391]

Great video Matt. Priceless information. Your a great mentor!

[@juliocanizales8831]

Matt you are so kind. Thank you for the advice.

[@helenatroy33]

you are seriously a LEGEND

[@ottielawery6218]

I think you are great! This is so informal. But where are all your social media handles? I can see you are growing with your channel quite rapidly. Viewers buy stuff too. 😉

[@MamguSian]

Great stuff Matt!

[@ambe786]

Thank you so much! This was really helpful for me. I love your work and your personality, Matt. I’m a new subscriber and I plan to stick around. Keep soaring!

[@sheiclackum5482]

I really like all your creations!! I greatly appreciate your videos and all the ideas you share! I hope to be as confident as you are one day... :) Thanks much!!

[@magicunicorn4070]

Very sound advice. Many of the things you describe about buyers' shopping habits (choice, rule of 10, etc.) are exactly how I am when I go to a crafts show and want to buy something. The last time I was in Santa Fe, NM was during the Indian Market, where there was so much stuff displayed it would make my head spin. I tend to look at just about everything in the show before I go back to the one I liked best to buy it. Often that booth was near the entrance... one of the first I came to.

[@suzannedarlaston2920]

Thanks, Matt - great tips. I will definitely but working harder to cultivate my relationship with the artist community in my area.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

That is a good plan. My community prides itself on artists, my future goal is to familiarize myself with the scene.

[@laurenlarriviere6078]

Thank you so much for sharing your craft! I love watching you! Also this video was very helpful!

[@debra6238]

Great content Matt, this has been super informative, keep up the great work!

[@dragicazupancic6293]

Thank you for sharing ☺

[@diannas-mysticspirit]

Thank you Matt!!!! This is soooooo helpful!!!!!!

[@lindacrsn5]

Very useful info Matt! Thank you so much for sharing!🙏🏼✨☺️

[@lyranhealer]

Thank you so much, you are great teacher ! I Love this video it was hugely helpful!!!

[@lifethroughthecracks]

you are so generous, thank you

[@cherieducotebreaux3804]

Thanks for this video. I do some of these already but it’s always good to get more ideas

[@Lexi_Con]

Thanks for sharing your story, Matt! This vid made me a subscriber.😊 Recently watched a few tuts & love your spontaneous, artistic style of creating/teaching. Reminds me of how I often work with wire - design as I go, more with my hands than from a strict sketch. I also hate wire waste, so when a specific plan flops, I'll usually turn it into another creation instead of scrapping the whole piece. It's tricky but I'm learning how to stop while I'm ahead. Question about pricing & promos. Have learned so many different formulas (for jewelry, specifically) & still get stressed about it. I have a variety but most lines feature high quality gemstones & other pro grade materials. Doubt I could ever match the (typically too low) prices of the competition, yet I know my work is well made & worth my minimum prices. Moving towards online vs local sales, yet billions more to compete with there. Any other suggestions on finding my niche, aka target audience & standing out in the ocean of creatives out there? Thanks!

[@MattsCrazyArt]

Lexi, be more cutthroat than the rest. Find the shows you want to be in, the shows that cater to your clientele, find the best spots, apply first, learn to talk people on the edge into always buying, ask customers to sign up to your favorite social media platform and stay in contact with them, have your family members wear your stuff, keep a supply of your stuff sitting in the passenger side when you go through the drive thru, be relentless and think of it as a game and want to win.

[@safac369]

Matt you are AMAZING.. so helpful 👌

[@audreyrhoades2026]

Thank you thank you this video was so helpful. Go job going over the 5 things started a journal added all your advice in it always carry my journaI haven’t started selling yet still making items to build up my inventory kind of uneasy to get started.

[@MattsCrazyArt]

🙂🙂🙂

[@reneicejohnson3058]

Thank you soooo much and I will follow your process.

[@Pokey-wi1lv]

Thanks for sharing these tips!!!

[@carmennevergivingup4970]

That's been really awesome. Thank you for sharing. I.guess I need to find myself some Art friends now 😂

[@communitycraftersoftehama3834]

Thank you! This was so informative

[@firebird2485]

Thank you for your Great Advice.....

[@cindywitherow988]

Wow! Great video. I may give this goal another try. Thank you.

[@gwencollins4312]

This is very helpful thank you. Rule of 10.i saved this one.

[@surrayahsjewels]

Thanks for this! I've been doing craft shows for about 10 years now and I have gotten to the point now where I basically know which locations work best for my items. Every now and then I go to a different location just to see how things will work out. I find jewellery is a hard sell because it seems like every fifth vendor does some form of it. I have survived because I do a lot of different techniques that other jewellery makers do not so my items are very unique and one of a kind, not cookie cutter stuff. My best idea I have ever had in my life has been finding and purchasing a light-weight four panel fire screen with the criss-crossed wire inside the frame (they are usually brass colored but I spray painted it black) where I hang all of my earrings. I can keep the earrings on the screen; place bubble wrap inside when I fold it up to leave a show and place it in a bag. It brings the earrings closer to eye level and it's easy to transport around to the shows. To figure out pricing I have a software program where I can enter all my costs and it will figure out wholesale, sale and regular prices for me...it's awesome!

[@MattsCrazyArt]

Great ideas!

[@alicerosa6766]

You're amazing, thank you for your videos. You got a new subscriber👍👍.

[@bluefeather7147]

thanks for that suggestions and tips.

[@Justthefurofus]

Great video! I really need to get out there and try some of these tips. Thanks!

[@mikkikas6821]

Great tutorial! As for pricing, what I am selling, no one else is making or selling . Strictly my ideas and creations . All original and unique So pricing has been a challenge . While people say I do beautiful work, very little sells . And I do let them know it is all original made by me. Seriously, I don't know what to do .

[@MattsCrazyArt]

Go to facebook.com/macrazart Send me a message. Send me photos of your pieces and the prices

[@johnsamara5073]

Mikki Kas ,,

[@bd8855]

My jewelry sold best when I had it in a gallery. Stuff sold for 5x what I could get at craft shows. 🤷‍♀️

[@JoansJunkJournalsAndMore]

Awesome video. Thank you. I have been learning so much from you wonderful videos lately and can't believe I just subscribed today ♥☺ I really love watching you make jewelry. I hope someday I will be half as good as you. Also, I love your humor. Thank you for sharing and teaching me so much.

[@mzkenma]

thank you for the tips..God bless

[@irisballetschool]

Thank you so much for shearing this video! This is soo important thing and I am sure you spent a lot of time to reach to this! I have to generous that now I am thiking.

[@ImaWildMango]

Sharing this with artists in a mental health recovery group.

[@inspire7290]

Hi Matt, Thanks so much.

[@Lswisdom77]

AWESOME VID, THANK YOU.

[@carinasoriasobeautifulthan6738]

Thank you so much for your information

[@scoutphoenix5108]

Awesome thanks for sharing

[@newheart3884]

So I'm pretty new subscriber and I am getting alot of old and new videos of yours, it's been great, this one is my favorite so far! I wished I had them years ago, these tips, anyway very inspirational thx, and keep up the great videos your awesome 💜

[@MattsCrazyArt]

Yay!

[@vickimackie4702]

Awesome

[@deez3506]

Thanks for info!!!

[@anitamitchell6434]

Thanks so much. 🌹🌺😇

[@MsBEE-jw8qw]

Thank you so much...

[@kamilarobak7471]

Thank you Matt for share your knowlage and tips. You are inspire me. I'm starting artist from Poland, nad I try sell my ring on Facebook. Tkanks for many advies. Best wishes :) Kamila

[@connierule31]

,Thank for ur help

[@lauriedanforth7533]

Hey Hey Matt~ Im going outside my comfort zone and needed some advice on some things~ YOu really knocked it out of the park with this one~ Ive watched it before but that was a bit ago~ Thanks for always sharing& for being one of the best teachers~ Its been a while since i watched one of your talented videos.... Are you still making tutorials? i forgot how darn cute you were ~😉🙃

[@Mia-C-Crest]

Thank you!

[@congratstripfor2994]

I am just starting to watch and i already know its going to be a good video! Matt i cant believe how fast your channwl is growing just a couple of days ago you were under 2,000 now you are going to hit 3,000 subscribers! 🤩Awesome🤩 I am so happy to be apart of Matt's Crazy Art family and know your going to hit many thousands of subs soon and you deserve it cause you have the best personality and amazing jewelry videos! Lots of high fives for all your amazing work!✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋

[@MattsCrazyArt]

♥️

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Ooh... did I finally get in on the second floor?

[@debra6238]

Natasha commenting on you comment, I strongly feel that his sincere sincerity has so much to do with his channel accumulating at such a fast rate, because speaking truly from your heart and with such natural flow is very magnetising to a lot of people including myself. Just being naturally drawn to an individual because of his sincerity to me is where it’s all at. I hope I’m making sense. His techniques and communication skills are super also.

[@spookybooscarystorytime]

I guess we'll have to wait for the shows for a while except online

[@AuntAb]

Thanks Matt. Good info. Is there a formula you use to calculate your prices? Other than other artists?

[@MattsCrazyArt]

AuntAb, no, in my mind every piece has a max and a min price and I start with the max and then move down the range towards the minimum price to try to encourage people to buy multiple pieces or as a thank you for previous sales.

[@katsmeowarteveryday1706]

excellent :)

[@deborahkelly7102]

Question Re:Gift w/purchase PT II ^_^...so, I am doing the 'make ten to sell one...and have 120+ rings...100 bracelets, and am starting on earrings...My thought is to offer a ring with a purchase of $5 or more...Plus following your previous advice of 'treating'...Does this sound more reasonable to you?...your thought processes/designs/and philosophical videos are much admired!! Thanks so much...

[@MattsCrazyArt]

Sounds good

[@rosecorrado6648]

Matt, how do you price?

[@wendyrock4260]

Great advice, I've never been good at selling my art as I'm very shy. BTW, I have a degree in art, and never did the professors give any real idea how to sale.

[@MattsCrazyArt]

Wow, that's terrible to get all that education and they skip right over the most vital part

[@donnaparks1919]

Thank u this is a big help. My phone is bout to go off