After more than a year of membership with this organisation, I thought about time to post a review… which will be made from my standpoint as an artist.
Other artists and retailers may have a different point of view.
As there is a lot to say on this topic, I am not going able to make in in one post… so, stay tuned!!!
Let’s start by explaining what is wholesalecrafts.com.
First, it is a web site. The concept is pretty much unique. Their motto is “where retailers meet quality artists”.
wholesalecrafts.com site welcome screen
Retailers in US and Canada can register for free. They are screened as they must be a legitimate business and have a brick and mortar location.
Artists in US and Canada can apply to be represented on the site where they are juried into categories (jewelry, handmade gifts, fine crafts, etc…). There are requirements to be eligible to apply. Mainly, your work must be handmade by yourself, you must live in the US or Canada and you must already have some level of experience in wholesaling your work. Of course, your work and photographs must have certain standards of quality.
Then, artists and retailers use the site as a connecting tool. Artists present their wares, retailers look at them and can place orders online.
Orders can be placed directly to the artists as well, as they is no commission on sales.
Artists must pay a yearly fee to be on the site. It is in the $300 range for the first year, and $460 for each other years after that.
The organisation also proposes marketing opportunities to artists so that they can promote their work to retailers:
- a quarterly printed buyer’s guide,
- co-op advertising in magazines like Gift Shop mag, New Age retailer, Niche…,
- a yearly trade show in Las Vegas,
- bi-weekly features in the buyer’s newsletter.
As of today, there is about 17.500 retailers and 1.300 artists registered.
So far, it looks great and I guess that by now you can’t wait to submit your application. But wait, there is more to know…
Next post… the application process.
A bientôt!!
Patricia
© 2009 – Unleash the Spirit of Glass!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The co-op ads that Wholesalecrafts.com runs in our publication, New Age Retailer, always contain such unique and wonderful products that I know our readers look forward to seeing and ordering from them.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your comment. I love the co-op ads (review in another post coming soon).
Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to try New Age Retailer. I think this is a great publication and my work would be a good fit. But each time I signed up for the co-op, it has been cancelled due to lack of artist participation
I still hope that one day I will make it!!
Patricia