I was looking through my favorites list on Etsy recently and thought, “Wow, I’ve favorited a lot of weird things.” I’ve always been a lover of strange things, and I think it’s great that places like Etsy exist so sellers can share their strange creations with like-minded people.
I’ve created a treasury of some awesome oddities from my favorites list, perfect for the discerning weirdo…
Starving Artist by vanDara
I’ve been selling my art and jewelry on Etsy for over four years now and it has been an amazing learning experience. I started as a hobby, making things I wanted myself and couldn’t find anywhere. Over the years, I’ve gained enough regular income to quit my 9 to 5 job and focus solely on my shop. It hasn’t always been easy, but I consider myself successful in the handmade marketplace.
I’m part of a few teams on Etsy (with Mom’s Basement being one I visit frequently, of course) and I’ve noticed that at least a couple times a month on these teams, people ask, “What’s wrong with my shop? I have low sales and really want to make this my full time job.” With so many people asking this question, I thought I would compile a list of helpful advice that has worked for successful artists and crafters, as well as advice from the Etsy blogs and things I have learned from my own experiences. Even if you don’t plan on selling your art full time, these tips can help showcase and promote your work more effectively.
First of all, and possibly the most important in the beginning, is be patient!
It can take years to establish yourself in a certain venue or on a certain site, just like it would if you were starting a brick and mortar business. Luckily, information moves fast on the internet and it’s possible to speed up your popularity. But selling on a site for only a few months with low sales is completely normal and doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your art.
Take LolitaAGogo for instance. Amazing artwork, (including the Adventure Time painting below), but very few sales yet. A little more time and I’m sure she’ll be selling like crazy.
Original Watercolor Painting ‘Off the Hook’ by LolitaAGogo
Jose from MisNopalesArt says to “take the plunge and go for it. When I first discovered Etsy and started listing items in my shop, it took several months to finally start picking up sales. At first I was a bit discouraged but I stuck with it and it paid off.”
He also says, “I think it’s important to have a variety of items available and to keep adding new items whenever possible. The more items you put out there, the more likely someone will eventually like one of them and purchase it.” Which I agree with whole-heartedly and expand upon below.
Storm Trooper Calavera Die Cut Vinyl Sticker by MisNopalesArt
I love jewelry. I love bold, fun jewelry, understated, pretty pieces, and everything in between. There is a lot of geeky jewelry on Etsy, and much of it is of the fun and quirky variety, many of my own creations included. But sometimes I want to wear fine jewelry – something elegant that will stand the test of time. Luckily, there are artists on Etsy that have combined geekiness and fine jewelry, so you never have to choose between the two.
If you’re fond of dragons and fantasy, this ring should make you happy. It was created with a glass taxidermy eye and argentium silver.
Evil Eye Ring by thatSandygirl
Jewelsvine is one of my favorite shops. I have purchased from them in the past and still love my necklace. It was hard to choose just one item to feature, but I love this test tube necklace! Be sure to check out their shop for other awesomeness, like rocket lockets, skulls, robot kitties, and steampunk instruments.
Steampunk Necklace Embryo Test Tube Vial by jewelsvine
I own a skull necklace from MichelleChangJewelry as well. She makes simple, elegant jewelry featuring skulls, foxes, hedgehogs, octopi and more.
Baby Skull Necklace in 14K Yellow Gold by MichelleChangJewelry
If you’re a gamer, MB’s own SketchyStories has some awesome jewelry for you, including this jumping Mario pendant, as well as a D-pad necklace, Link, and Minecraft pickaxe!
Mario Pendant 8bit Silver by sketchystories
Mermaid by Pascal Blanche
I’ve been a fan of cryptozoology since I was a little kid. So the other day, when my husband happened upon a documentary on the Discovery Channel about scientists finding the remains of an unknown sea creature, I was intrigued. These scientists claimed the remains, which they found in the stomach of a shark, included a strange tail flipper, a partial humanoid skull with large eye sockets and a cranial ridge, and the hilt of a hand carved weapon. Basically, they had found a mermaid. The show was two hours long and included eye witness accounts, photos, DNA testing and other substantial proof that an intelligent, humanoid marine creature existed.
So I was very disappointed the next day while Googling the title of the show, when I discovered that there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the “documentary” (we came into the show after it had already started and didn’t see it) that stated, “this two hour special is science fiction based on some real events and scientific theory.”
Mermaid by Gonzalo Ordonez Arias
The scientists featured were really actors. The only evidence presented in the show that I know isn’t completely fabricated is the “Bloop” caught on sonar in the south Pacific Ocean.
I feel duped and I know I’m not the only one. On Sunday the 15th, “mermaid body found” was the number one search term on Google.
Even though this show was a faux-umentary, it doesn’t necessarily mean a creature like that doesn’t exist. Remember the coelacanth? It was believe to be extinct since the Cretaceous, only to be found off the coast of Africa in 1938. The oceans are vast, largely unexplored areas where anything could exist. Based on that, and some artists’ amazing talent and imagination, I give you a gallery of amazing underwater creations.
Oils, marble, porcelain… Tried and true materials that have been around for centuries. The results are gorgeous, but maybe a little predictable. My topic this week is on materials and art that mix it up and make you go, “that’s made out of what?” Check out these conversation starters!
Recycled Skateboard Necklace by sevenply
This necklace is super cute, but I bet if it weren’t for the caption you’d never guess it was made from a skateboard. Now you can keep your skater vibe with you, even in formal occasions.
Chalkboard Skull in Jet Black by iamhome
Everyone needs a message board, but about the last place I’d think to write, “We went to the store,” is on a faux human skull. But not iamhome! They’ve been selling these skulls since late 2010 and now hundreds of people have unique (and morbid) message centers in their homes. Their skulls come in dozens of colors, including a realistic bone shade.
Conjurer by LMessecar
I love painting, but up until recently, acrylics have been the only paint type I have used. I was recently given some oil paints. I’ve always loved the look of oils, but was hesitant to try them because I thought it would be too hard. The oils I was given are water-based, meaning I don’t need turpentine to clean them up, which made it easier for me give them a shot. I’m glad I did! I love painting with oils now. They are very different than acrylics, but there are techniques and traits associated with them that I like a lot and help me achieve a different look than I would with acrylics.
SNES Still Life by Alia Bierwag
I did this still life of an SNES controller and cartridge to practice painting a little more loosely, with more of an impressionist vibe.
I am by no means an expert in oil or painting in general, but learn along with me with some tips and a demo (and some gorgeous paintings) below.
