Testing the Waters

For several years, I have been promising myself that I would open an online store. Originally I thought it would be an Etsy shop, and that may still happen. At Christmas time I showed my Facebook friends a cushion I had created using my own art. I planned to order one but it was through Fine Art America and between the exchange rates and shipping it added up to more than I was willing to pay...and that would have been at my wholesale price. Apparently, nobody else wanted one either, not that I did any actual marketing. 

I have since located two Canadian companies that also print items on demand. I sent one of them a photo of a piece of art I created to see how it would look on their products. I am quite pleased but, as there are what some of you might consider flaws in my artwork, I wanted to see if they spoiled the effect once printed bigger than the actual art. I have ordered two products in vastly different materials so that I can see how these things look in person. That will also give me a clear idea if I should change the routine thread colour, and whether I want more than just my name on the labels. 

The company I'm testing first is highly attentive.  I have had an email each day explaining various aspects of their website, how things work, and how to get my patterns adjusted on the products more in line with what I had in mind. They also tell me what steps to take to create my shop online or in person.  I even got a quick reply when I sent an email asking a question.  So far,  I am quite impressed. 

 

As everything is printed, cut, and sewn only after either you or I order it, it will take a couple of weeks to arrive.  If all goes well, I will add designs and open the shop.  The other company I found prints completely different things in a more simplified way. I might test a few of their products out too.  And Etsy? Well, if I get perfectly good test products I decide I don't want to keep, maybe I will try selling them there.  At least I have finally started to test the waters on this long-awaited project.