Having a hard time getting my products out there

[JPittelli]

Hi All,
I am new to this community so I am hoping fresh eyes can help me out. I design one-of-a-kind handbags based on original pieces of artwork-Masterpieces. I am trying to get them out there to the masses through my website and open studios but still have not find the right arena.

They fall into decorative art/craft/eccentric categories so placing them in stores has been a challenge. Any suggestions??
Please take a look at my website and let me know your thoughts.
www.masterpurses.com
Thanks so much.

"Everyone should own a Masterpiece, or at least a Masterpurse."

[glassbeadtreasures]

How creative you are! I'm sure whatever I have to say are things you have already thought of...but here are a couple of ideas...just in case!

One of my first thoughts is that your purses would be a perfect fit in the Smithsonian gift catalog! Surely there are gift shows in the Boston area that would feature items such as yours. They can be quite rewarding.

There is Google Adwords to consider and Internet malls such as www.beautifulshops.com (http://www.beautifulshops.com) that may work for you. Do you have a blog yet? You also may wish to submit a pretty business card to Victoria magazine and/or see if they may wish to offer your products in their "Victoria Fair" ("If you or someone you know has a product that would be ideal for our collection, please send a sample to Victoria Private Collection, ATTN: Nathan Looney, 1900 International Park Dr., Suite 50, Birmingham, AL 35243. Samples will not be able to be returned."). I would suggest checking out their website at www.victoriamag.com (http://www.victoriamag.com) and looking under their "community" link.

Hopefully some other talented and experienced businesswomen on this forum will offer some of their expertise. This is a great community here full of helpful people. Best of wishes to you in your business!

~Michele
www.michelestreasures.blogspot.com (http://www.michelestreasures.blogspot.com)
www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com (http://www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com)

[Hooper's Judge]

Perhaps write a news release, include a photo or two of the masterpurses, and a link to your web site. then, email this to editors of craft, cottage, victorian, and your state magazines (ie my state has New Jersey Monthly) and your local newspapers. How about sending one of your masterpurses to Oprah -- if she selects it as one of her favorite things then you'll be rich. what about selling them on QVC or similar?

[Hooper's Judge]

also, you can try hooking up with some boutique handcrafted stores like what you find in artsy communities such as New Hope PA and sell through them. i think there are co-ops such as this.

[dedavis]

Try art museum gift shops. Also etsy.com.

[swaphos]

http://www.santafetradingpost.com/artists_and_connoisseurs.html

[greenoak]

how about doing some retail shows and getting your product out to the public that way.....? you would get good feedback....
another way if you are interested in wholesale is to do a cash and carry show....these are big in the ohio and penn....market square and offingers..... the stores come and buy and take it on the spot.....
ann
www.greenoakantiques.com
www.magpiecottage.blogspot.com

[Tej72]

Joanne -

I visited your website and the first thing that I saw wrong was it wasn't clear right away what you are selling. Is it a picture frame or a purse? Furthermore, there was no visible avenue to purchase your work thru a shopping cart or online order form on your site, but instead Etsy. Perhaps you can re-tool your website to have more functionality as a store, rather than a platform to showcase yourself as an artist/designer. Your work is beautiful and you should really have no trouble selling it if there is more information about your product. What size are the bags, how many compartments within, etc. I saw no inside photos of the bag or photos of a bag in use by anyone, etc. Once you've done the retooling, start buying click thru ads with Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc. You've got a great idea. You just have to work harder to sell them. Hope this helps. Nick Tej

[inspiredwithlove]

I too would like to sell my products to more people. I am new to this website so bear with me if I am reapiting myself all over the place. I just want advise and opinions
http://analoukopoulos.etsy.com

Thank you :)