First try in a B&m not going well

[AmyEsryTreasures]

So I was invited to have my dolls in a museum gift shop. Its a small museum, and a really small gift shop, but its near Milwaukee, and they have lots of events that seem to draw a good crowd. So they have had 5 of my dolls for the past month, and none of them has sold yet. Its set up as a consignment, but I set a wholesale price and they set the retail price as they see fit. That's fine with me, they know what their customers pay for various things. So I'm feeling discouraged. I've looked at other doll shops on etsy and art dolls are simply not hot sellers. How do you guys not get discouraged?

[Guenillesetboutons]

Hi Amy, I understand your discouragement, once you decide to get you're dolls (creations) out there, it's rewarding to make sales.

But you know, the museum shop would not have taken your dolls if they thought they weren't good enough. That is already a recognition having dolls in a museum shop!

Since we talked about this a month ago, you got me questioning my own dolls. Why is it I have a lot of admirers yet no sales ???

A friend said to me that maybe etsy isn't the place to make sale for that kind of art. Like we say, doll making is a small world (community ?) and do we really buy each others art being ourselves in the ’’business’’ ? (I do buy sometimes). I guess what I am saying is maybe dolls just don't sale that much, talent or not (of course they will always be exceptions).

You said you had summer fairs coming soon ? Wait and see what happens there. You could also try getting publish in art doll magazine, maybe that would bring in new ’’outsiders’’ to you're shop ?

I have to admit I am myself in a little discouraged phase right now. But I don't think it's only about the sales. I feel I should now take my dolls to a new level but don't know how or what I expect of myself ??? So I am taking a little break to figure this out.


Maybe we should have a ’’whatever goes in our crazy doll maker minds’’ thread. It could be one to discuss everything and anything about our state of mind, discouragement, need a pat on the back kinda thread ... it could be fun !?

[AmyEsryTreasures]

I'm trying to get involved in some doll groups on facebook. There are some groups (especially Australian) that do online showcases/sales. I'll be in a couple of those this summer. fingers crossed. I'm in the US, so the extra shipping may be an issue for Australian buyers, but maybe not. dollmaking seems to be big there.

[Former_Member]

I'm in the same boat about art doll sales. I've been pretty lucky in selling a few, but those have been few and far between. And then you see threads about finally reaching 100 items in their store or having a low of only 500 views in a day....
But, hang in there! Congrats on getting into a store! Take it as a compliment! As I'm sure you know from being here, it's going to take more than a month to get seen and purchased. I was in an artist co-op store for about 6 months and it was a thrill to see my ladies in a store window! I just couldn't justify the cost of membership against the little bit I made on the few I sold.
Check out Art Doll Quarterly. They have a challenge each edition and a section for just showing off. I sent in the bride that's my avatar last year and she made it in the magazine. They do keep the dolls for a long time (you can also send in photos instead of the doll, but photography is not my strong suit) and I'm going to be sending in another later this year.
There's Treasures of the Gypsy and the Hoffman Fabric Challenge.
There are a number of online doll clubs. Of course I'm blanking on names at the moment.
But - we create special characters for special people. It takes time for those people to find us. ;-)

[AmyEsryTreasures]

I've submitted photos for the Soft Dolls & Animals magazine, but I haven't mustered the courage to try Art Doll Quarterly. I guess I feel like my dolls aren't good enough yet. Of course that silly. I just finished a couple that aren't in my shop that turned out really nice. I might try doing some photographs and see if I can get some photos that are good enough. I'm going to also start another thread here about complimentary products in our stores.

[Former_Member]

Amy, I think you have fantastic work! Collectable dolls is a rough market. congrats on the museum shop. I've had my dolls in two local shops in the past, and only sold one doll. But I was very excited about that one! I've had several dolls in Soft dolls and Animals, which is exciting, but I didn't see any boost in sales or views out of it. Go for the art doll magazine! It really looks like a great magazine to be featured in!

[Former_Member]

Oh, and Cath, your thread idea sounds just fine. Anyone can start a thread in our team here. If you have a good idea for a thread that fits in with our team, go for it!

[Tattermedallion]

Give it time Amy. A month is nothing. One of the galleries where I sell my dolls had mine on display for over a year and only sold one, then suddenly they started to sell and now I can't keep up with demand. Patience pays off in the end and also not putting all your eggs in on basket. I sell through several different outlets and different types of doll do better in different settings.