@mr.elmwood wrote:
Break your paintings into categories. You have a store, so you have that capability. That way, at least, customers can switch from one genre to another. I saw at least three: tress, abstract, flowers.
Unless the OP just set up store categories in the last couple of days after posting here, I actually see quite a number of categories already (check the store home page, not the listings link). These seem to be completely adequate and appropriate for the various types of work the artist is selling. The OP is also offering free shipping, which is of real benefit for someone considering buying art -- I imagine shipping these paintings isn't cheap.
To the OP - Aside from Cassini, which doubtless has an effect, my opinion is that one of the first things to stop when people perceive economic turmoil, whether real or imagined, is discretionary spending on what would be considered luxury items - and that often means items with artistic value. Practical items that people actually need for one reason or another, or items that have a recognized collectible value that are perceived as substitutes for cash investments (like coins, stamps, etc.), will continue to sell through thick and thin. The challenge for a working artist is to get through the lean periods and survive.
One way to do this of course is to build up a client base, people who enjoy and appreciate your work and will keep returning. Another is to expose and promote your work in various venues locally (assuming you're in an urban area), such as open galleries, libraries, civic events, etc. You may already be doing these things.
However, if I can offer a suggestion for eBay in particular, you might want to try diversifying what you are selling with subsidiary items that are conceptually linked to your main category.
These little items, preferably easy to ship and less expensive than your main category, can keep you afloat through rough periods. For example, have you thought about producing blank greeting cards or postcards of your work (I'm assuming that you, as the eBay store owner, are also the artist, or at least hold copyright), or matted litho prints in a format that would fit in a #5 bubble envelope so they can be shipped inexpensively? You could also consider self-publishing a small collection of the best work in book format or on CD. Miniatures in interesting frames?
Perhaps consider items such as fold-up table-top display easels or having your work professionally printed/laminated onto small 'collectible' objects such as handcrafted wooden boxes, jewellery boxes, etc. - one way of sourcing this type of item would be to make a consignment arrangement with a local woodworking artisan to sell them in your eBay store. Selling frames, mats and picture hanging materials (hooks, wire, etc.) of course is another option, but shipping might be an issue and you would have to find a good wholesale or discount source for these articles. However, the main idea with ancillary items is that they maintain your exposure on eBay and help you to continue to make sales (albeit perhaps with less profits on those items) through the "dead zones" on eBay.
I too sell originally-produced work, and I've found the concept of selling related items to be a lifesaver. You have to keep in mind that although we may have a large potential customer base on eBay, the actual percentage of the North American population who will be shopping on eBay is probably quite small. Divide that further by the actual percentage of people who will be shopping for original artwork, then again for those who are willing/able to buy from Canada, then again for those who are looking for oils in particular (as opposed to watercolours, prints, etc.), and again finally for those who like the particular work you are offering (and the prices), and you have your true potential customer base. You can probably work the numbers out roughly for yourself to see what that might be. I don't think it will be a number in the millions.
Accordingly, it is not only possible, but fairly easy to become over-exposed in niche areas on eBay, exhausting your initial potential customer base. This means you will be waiting longer and longer for new buyers to find your work once you've run through your initial "mass" exposure. Add things like holiday times, financial and political crises and other things that keep people away from shopping online and you have a "dead zone" for sales. This is why I think diversifying can help. You may get a buyer who comes to your store for some picture wire, then discovers he/she might like to buy one of the paintings -- that sort of idea.
w~~_7.JPG "pjcdn2005"){kind=avatar}
