ebay artists' groups

surreal · #1 05-23-2002, 03:03 PM

Hi All~

I was wondering if anyone cares to share whether or not they are part of an artist's group on ebay and their feelings about it?

If this was discussed on an earlier thread, please let me know and I'll read the thread.

Thank you.

surreal

Paintbrush74 · #2 05-23-2002, 04:37 PM

The closest I've come to that was to join an artists' group on Yahoo several months ago. The people in it seemed as welcoming as you could expect, considering that the message board was, in my opinion, somewhat confusing and not nearly as well organized as, for instance, this one. I don't think that was the fault of the group leader. I think it's just the Yahoo layout, although I'm not sure.

My life became very stressful a few weeks after I joined. They had a rule (understandably) that you must post once every 2 weeks or be dropped. At the time, I didn't have the energy to plow through the messages and relate, so I'm no longer in the group.

They had a warning page with deadbeat bidders listed. Also they required that you upload images of your art, which I have since learned, enables Yahoo to take your images and sell them as prints or whatever. The images I uploaded would not make very good prints, though. When I viewed them, it said, "not recommended for prints", or something like that. The best that I remember, they did not have a symbol to put in your Ebay title. They were in the process of evolving, though. I can't remember much else about it.

CarlyHardy · #3 05-24-2002, 01:03 AM

I was a member of EBSQ when I first started selling on ebay. The advice and information I got from the members there was invaluable. Many of them had been selling for a couple of years and had a lot of experience. That's one plus with joining a group.

I now belong to a group called ESR@ (Emerging Self-Representing Artists). We have a message group at Yahoo Groups for communication. This too is invaluable when I have questions about ebay or selling, etc. We use the ESR@ as a search term for the group in our titles which gives all the members more exposure. This group is a limited membership of 50 and new members are juried for membership.

OW@ (Off The Wall Artists) was formed as a sister group for ESR@ because we had so many artists interested in joining. Our new members must join OW@ first and be juried from its membership.

There are many such groups at ebay....I don't even know all of them! and new ones are forming all the time. It becomes an inner network for artists, especially self-representing artists, to communicate with one another for encouragement and support.

Depending on your style of art or mindset, you might want to check out several of the groups and see what would meet your needs before joining. I'd love to get a Wet Canvas group formed. We already have a forum here for sharing!

carly

timelady · #4 05-24-2002, 05:26 AM

I joined ebsq when I first found it but didn't agree with some of their ideas as there was no definitions of quality, etc. They required you send a certificate with each piece of artwork but there was no difference between artists working with quality materials and someone doing a sketch on paper with housepaint or school paint. The group was very friendly but I didn't feel it did anything for me as a professional.

Then I found esr@ which I liked because it was juried and their group statement seemed to apply to full-time and dedicated artists. I didn't even know they had a Yahoo Group! I'll have to check that out.

Overall I found all the groups to be friendly and welcoming. OW@ is getting popular. It's basically a way of joining a more visible group for buyers to search on. I honestly can't tell if it's actually helped my sales or not though, but it's not hurt.

Tina.

surreal · #5 05-24-2002, 08:55 AM

Carly,
Thank you enormously for all of the information you provided. It's very helpful.

Tina,
Thank you very much for sharing your experiences.

Nina

tammy · #6 05-26-2002, 01:24 AM

I'm a member of EA@ on Yahoo. Just a very chatty group with limited membership. Similiar to Ebsq but smaller and (I think) fewer rules.

I'm also newly listed on the Universal Self Representing Artist Registry. Its more of a list than a group.

Sumafra · #7 05-26-2002, 11:54 PM

Tammy, can you tell us more about this registry? Where can we see it and how to you get listed???

Any info would be appreciated.

tammy · #8 05-27-2002, 12:27 AM

Sure Suzette. It's just a listing of Self representing artists. The front page has all the info. Its the same registry that Carly has mentioned before. You may find it here.

http://www.sraregistry.com

They are still new and working on it so if you apply from the webpage it may or may not get to them in which case an email will be appropriate. I believe that maximus (may have the name not quite right) is the main person to contact. They do give an email address for applications if the form doesn't work.

PS. Be sure to read the TERMS OF SERVICE carefully before you do. They have a few qualifications to adhere to. (Nothing hard)

Sumafra · #9 05-27-2002, 11:01 PM

Thanks Tammy. I've applied already. Would be nice to be able to use that logo in my listings.

arlene · #10 05-28-2002, 12:27 AM

I applied too!

Thanks tammy

tammy · #11 05-31-2002, 05:02 PM

You're welcome. Just be sure to read the TOS as there has been questions regarding their policy on use of any trademarks.

Sumafra · #12 06-01-2002, 12:28 AM

Tammy, my email to them has come back several times as being invalid. Said they don't have a yahoo account.

Would you have a better email address for them? Doesn't bode well when the address on the website is invalid.

tammy · #13 06-01-2002, 12:43 AM

Yes, fill out the info on the register page, copy, cut and paste it and mail to:
pj@sraregistry.com
The name is Pam. Tell her the other submit button doesn't appear to work.

Shai · #14 06-01-2002, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CHClements
I'd love to get a Wet Canvas group formed. We already have a forum here for sharing!carly

I agree! This would be great if someone can get this going.

I just currently use 'Member of WetCanvas!' in my About Me page.

Anyway, I'm also a member of ow@. I don't know how it's helping me yet, but it couldn't hurt.

There's also a group called ebayarts at Yahoogroups, which I think is by invitation only. It's a fun, supportive group. I don't post all the time, but I do try to read the daily messages. There are no requirements to add logos, links, or text at eBay.

surreal · #15 06-01-2002, 08:54 AM

Hi All~
In order to be a member of one of these groups, do you need to always, on a daily basis, have to have something up for auction on ebay?

Is it alright to just put 1 or 2 paintings up for auction per month?

Curiously,
Surreal

Salute to our Partners