A new report on Artfire

Okay, I'm really, really liking Artfire these days - and I think I'll continue to do so the more I get to know it.  It has a lot of great functions that I haven't found elsewhere, the artists/craftspeople on there are extremely generous with sharing their support and knowledge with each other -- and I'm finally starting to get sales.  I think this venue is a keeper - and at this time, July 2010, I highly recommend it.  As I may have said before, I first had a "basic," reduced-function membership at no cost.  But I received an offer from them for a $1.00 fee for "Pro" membership for the month of July, no contract required, so what did I have to lose.  I have really worked it hard this month and will continue to do so.  I have had only a few sales, admittedly, but I see real potential here.  And the price is certainly right -- if I continue to have more and more sales.  It's $15.95 a month, flat fee, and no percentage fee with sales, just the flat monthly fee.  That's it. 

I will add one thing, though:  This site definitely has to be marketed.  It doesn't have the following that Etsy has, nowhere near it.  But look out!  I think if things go as it appears they're going on it, it's going to be well-known someday.  I'll continue to report on it and the other venues I've been checking out as time goes on, but so far, it's my favorite new one.

Re my running commentary on online art/crafts sales venues

Well, I don't have a whole lot to report at this time.  I got a couple of sales on Artfire.com, but they were to other artists/vendors on the site - due to my having made comments in the discussion forums.  Absolutely no "outside" sales.  However, in fairness to artfire, I haven't had (or taken) the time to do much marketing, either.  I'll keep working with it, I think, though, just to see how it goes if I give it more of a chance.

Etsy is still going strong, although it's slowed down a bit I think because it's summertime.  I still haven't checked back with 1000 Markets, but I promise I will soon.  I'm also looking at another venue now, too, but so far, I haven't done much yet with it:  It's called http://www.fineartamerica.com/.  There's supposedly a free membership or a $30 annual membership.  I'll report my findings on it probably next week (we've got a camping trip coming up for a few days!  Horray!)