Hello,

Im Jill and a bit new as well , I like making all sorts of things but Im having trouble understanding the 'professional print' system. and how to sell paintings on this site. I have asked 'admin' for advice.

I had nt read the rules quite properly , and missed a few points which now seem as if they could be quite important. I have done lots of quite lovely stuff, Mainly paintings and produce. I ve sold a few, and put lots onto the site which I'm quite proud of because my ( all Male) family dont give me much encouragement, or help to perform IT tasks.

I still dont understand how this system works. If you can explain what I need to do apart from loading on my stuff, which I have - you ll see 'Jill Peer' listed as one of you. Im sure.

But its just all the legalities and GBP business. which I didnt even know what that was till just now. How the financial side works, that scares me a bit.
How on earth does it all work?

And 'Have I charged enough for my art, to cover costs? '
-I dont know. ....
.....cause I only just started selling it last year, locally. Locals here dont buy that much stuff.

Not like in big cities.

Anyhow just to say I m very impressed with your attitudes and the beautiful standard of just about everything I ve feasted my eyes on. I have trouble with names as well. But I feel very grateful for the support I already seemed to have recieved form other artists and from Chris in Admin.

Speak again , Must go and do a bit of painting to destress , I havent done ANY since I opened this site ! How awful!

Jill Peer the faerygodmother

Welcome Jill
The money side isn't too bad; just charge what you think your work is worth. Remember, it's not just the time you take over the artwork, it's how you got there.

Your gallery pictures could do with a bit of cropping and brightening up. If you don't have any image manipulation software, try Picassa from Google. It's free and does the trick. Ideally, you want to show just the picture, not the background.

David

Hi Jill, you need to add a link to your site in your forum " signature " you can do this in your profile. it helps publicise your site. I have mine in all forums I belong to... yes PC takes time away from painting my prob too.

Prices: always subjective but this is what I do- work out what your materials cost and postage ect ( and looking at a framed one you've got at £40 I'd guess postage for that will be around £15 to £20) - i use royal mail special delivery - others use dif couriers, but always use one with a tracking system and keep your proof of posting. Then work out how long its taken you and add an hourly rate - I'd say here don't go for min wage as so many seem to - art isn't 9 - 5 job that can be just switched on and when your costing your time also think of time spent thinking about the work, on location taking photos, even your trip to PO its all time spent on that work. Others charge a fixed price per square inch or similar but my work varies so much in style i prefer to price individually on a time basis. Don't under price - if your work is worth doing its worth paying for! and being too cheap can have a detrimental effect and put buyer off...

I'd agree with David you need to crop your photos more, so that just the work can be seen not the background. also they are not very distinct - i'd guess you photo indoors? its best to photo outside in natural daylight - i put them on the ground and stand over the photo from centre, gets a square photo that way. you can use image editing stuff like paintsho pro to tweak but its best to keep this to a min and try to get as accurate photo as possible. Remember distance selling regs mean the customer can return the work for any reason - just not liking it is one - and receive a full refund so long as they return it withing 7 days of them receiving it so you want to be as accurate as possible.

Also - Don't forget to register with inland revenue - anyone with work for sale on a website MUST do this and can get fined if they don't - and IR do check sites... so long as you have accurate records of expenditure and sales and you're not making huge amounts they'll probably say there's no need for a tax return. I spend my sales money on more materials thus so far I've never made a profit and when I first wrote to them after doing a sales/expenditure sheet they said so long as my income etc stayed about the same i could just carry on. Those who make a living from art - or even a profit - have to fill in a tax return - its something to remember when pricing your work. If you don't register and are late theoretically there's a £100 fine but I was late - simply told them I didn't realise I needed to reg, and they said no problem.Don't be put off by it and don't put off doing it

they're simple things and once done thats it.. and its a great feeling when someone purchases work from you best of luck.

Hi Jill

That's all very good advice there and I agree with the comments on your website made already. If you want people to be able to buy over the web you can get a paypal button added to any image where you've got a price simply by going into the other details section/paypal integration/ then turn on paypal. The point about distance selling is right and you need to add a terms and conditions page, you can look at the "How to Buy" tab on mine to give you some ideas, or browse other peoples sites.

Jeannie is quite right about all the tax stuff. Since this might be of interest to a few people I thought I'd try to add the benefit of my experience on this subject (Jill please don't be overwhelmed!) One specific thing which I overlooked initially is that you have to register as self employed within quite a short period of "setting up business" - which if you are offering work for sale over the web and making sales you technically have done as soon as your website is live. I didn't do that until several months had gone by because I knew I wasn't in profit so thought (incorrectly) there was no hurry.

You also have to either pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions or else apply for an exemption if your income is going to be under a certain amount. They can fine you £100 if you don't do this in time but as long as you're applying for the exemption they seem to waive the fine (they did with me anyway).

I'm not sure how much of this applies if you have a "day job" as well but if you look on the Inland Revenue website there are helplines you can call and they are very helpful.

If you are selling work, keep a good track of your expenses - as well as the obvious stuff like paints and brushes travel is not insignificant for most of us and there are approved mileage rates which are quite a lot higher than the cost of petrol as it includes wear and tear on your car. If you make a tax loss you can either carry it forward against any profits you make in future years or in certain circumstances even offset it against your other income for the tax year.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

Phew!! What a lot of words!!
I wanted to help and in my head I knew what I wanted to convey,but am glad some kind others have done it for me.So a big welcome instead, once bit by bit you get it all sorted over time it begins to fall into place such a lot to learn but you pick it all up as you go.
Good luck with the creating and enjoy

Hello Jillpeer,
Just a short and sweet 'Welcome' from me..

Thanks so much Jeanniezelos and eliseferguson for those posts - really clear, interesting and above all important, info!

Hi from me Jill,

See ya within mate

Hi David Elsie, Jennie and Sunset ??
Don t know if I got your names right.

The problem was last night when i suddenly read the info about paying the company who did 'the prints' and I didn't understand it, but thought it meant that EVERYONE HAD TO do this system of selling prints, through an 'agency' . It sounded a bit scarey to me.

It was 'n t really a problem with the Tax inspector that I had or reporting my work to an authority. as I already do my tax form etc.with my other ( rather low paid )work as a therapist.

My husband helps me with that. and my N .I. is also sorted out.
at the moment till I get in to the Big Time.

But thank you ALL of you , for your very gentle but thoroughly thorough advise.

Some advice aspects ,specially the pricing up bits, and Pay pal stuff, I' ll really use and value.

I hope to look at all your sites, when I get a mo.
I saw Jennies yesterday WOW!

and I'II follow up on setting my work up better.

So THANK you THANKyou its SO nice to know that someone like you is there. when I need it.

I hope I can offer help back some time. HEy If you have a headache ,I can really help you sort it. In fact most pain can be sorted, with my help.

I can help you by email and by phone as well as actually by TOUCHING you. It s easy ! just ask. I ll sooth your aching back, or hands.

Love to you all Jill Peer Jasmine faery god mother.

hello from sunny morecambe jill,