Step this way, Step this way!

I once imagined setting up a shop on a waterfront and selling the carvings that I created. Then, reality intervened when I considered the actual costs versus the take minus the overhead. It was a wonderful dream, but keeping a shop and trying to carve in volume stopped being a dream I might actually do and became a pleasant daydream to indulge in. Doing shows worked out better. During the weekdays, I would work at a job that actually paid for the healthcare benefits my growing family needed.

Having a storefront of my own is one of those dreams I keep periodically igniting. I’ll do searches on the internet, “easiest internet storefront setups.” Then, I will determine if their site’s product mix matches what I’d be selling. I don’t want to sell my work alongside refugees from “Etsy” who sell painted plastic butterflies or macrame toilet roll covers. It’s like selecting a show. You need to consider who the visiting prospective clientele will be and if they are visiting to see your type of product or the painted butterflies.

You say, well, Lou, you need gallery representation. I agree, but most marine and nautically themed galleries focus on “flat” art, scrimshaw, or models. If you look at my portfolio, I fall outside those established areas.

I’ve decided on an online shop with WordPress, hoping that it will attract gallery attention and generate some sales. It’s not caricature carvings of Capn’ Jack. Ship and boat portraits and the more extensive carvings require research and serious relief carving skills and sell for lots more than $19.95 with shipping.

I’m working on it. I’ll let you know what happens!