Etsy Shops…yes that’s Shops, plural!

Short Story

Collages, mixed-media, experiments, ACEO/ATCs (Artists Trading Cards) – www.cobaltbluedreams.com (it directs to my Etsy shop) (no longer active, everything is on my website now)

Small works, studies for paintings – www.cbdartist.com  (no longer active, everything is on my website now)

Large works EVERYTHING – www.demolay.com/artwork

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Long Story

The hardest part of being an artist is getting your work in front of people. It used to be the only way to put your art ‘out there’ was to get into a gallery (or two or three!) or do art festivals…or both!

I did the art festival circuit for several years, but Texas weather is not very friendly to artists and their large paintings. Although I could probably weigh down an art tent to withstand hurricane force winds with all the practice I had!

I currently have my artwork in a gallery. The Wylie Art Gallery in historic downtown Wylie is a lovely spot in a former bank building. While being a part of the gallery is wonderful, I can only put a few (5-7) pieces in the gallery at any given time. Needless to say, that leaves a LOT of art stacked around my studio.

Fortunately, over the past 5-10 years there had been a revolution for artists…or maybe it’s evolution…with the growth of social media. With the ability to be be in front of almost anyone on the globe, artist can now take the reigns of their own marketing and sales…without dealing with the wind.

So…why two Etsy shops? Why even Etsy at all?

Moonlighting, acrylic, 36″x24″ ©Charlotte B. DeMolay

Much like getting your art represented in a gallery, art is best viewed when there is continuity in the pieces. It doesn’t have to be a series, but similarity in theme, colors, medium, etc is idea.

I decided to compartmentalize my art. Big works on my website. They truly are my portfolio pieces, my show pieces, etc. These paintings are usually on the larger side, more expensive and require information from the buyer on shipping so “Buy it Now” buttons are not appropriate.Well…I don’t tend to do art that way. I love learning so I’ll jump entirely into a new medium or technique or subject, then return to my beloved pastel and acrylic coastals. I’ve tried putting all my work together and it just looks chaotic (much like my studio most days!)

I decided to compartmentalize my art. Big works on my website. They truly are my portfolio pieces, my show pieces, etc. These paintings are usually on the larger side, more expensive and require information from the buyer on shipping so “Buy it Now” buttons are not appropriate.

Fall Harvest: Pomegranate, pastel, 4″x6″ ©Charlotte B. DeMolay

Smaller works are going back on Etsy (cbdartist). I tried them on my site but I don’t quite like the look. These are small pieces as well as studies and sketch works for larger pieces. If you like the artwork on my website, chances are you can find a similar, smaller (and for many, more affordable) piece on this site. Disclaimer: I haven’t moved all the artwork over yet. Over the next week and a half I’ll be adding to Etsy and dropping from this site.

Collages, mixed-media and experiments get their own shop on Etsy (cobaltbluedreams)I’ve actually had this site for years. I even have the url that redirects to the Etsy shop. This is my original Etsy shop that I listed all my small works and mixed-media on. Now I’m going to exclusively list my more experimental pieces. Although they almost always include some form of my ‘traditional’ artwork within them, they still don’t resemble my traditional work.

Soar, mixed media, 7″x 5″ ©Charlotte B. DeMolay

So why Etsy? The main reason is I’ve had slow and steady sales without even trying. I started my first Etsy shop when I stopped doing the art festivals and went to graduate school. I couldn’t stand the idea of my artwork just collecting dust in the studio. Also Etsy is a fabulous and HUGE community of like-minded, creative people. I’ve always loved being a part of it, both as a shop owner and a buyer.

So in between and during all my traveling the past month, I’ve been working on the shops and adding artwork. I have enough I feel I can roll them out..but please visit more than once! I’ll be adding more of my existing work over the next week and a half. After that, I’m hoping to have more time in the studio to make new works (to then add to the shop)!

Big bonus…sign up to be a Studio Insider and you’ll get a great coupon for my artwork in my April newsletter. In fact…if you sign up (or are already signed up) and comment on this blog post or the Facebook post about this blog…I’ll send you the coupon early!

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