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Selling Art When Everyone Is Broke

Cassie's Colorful Life

15,939 views

Selling art in a recession is… weird. If you’re trying to run a creative business while the economy is doing whatever THIS is, you probably don’t need me to tell you that things feel a little harder right now. Sales are slower. People are being more careful about what they spend. It’s really easy to start wondering if you’re doing something wrong.

So in this video, I am talking about what I am doing to navigate it how I am shifting my offerings, and figuring out what makes sense for my business right now.

🎥 How to Scan Art for Prints → How I Digitize BIG Paintings for Fine Art ...

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:44 What's Selling Now
4:52 Pricing Strategy
8:00 Competing with AI
19:35 Probs & Plans

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LINKS TO THINGS I MENTIONED

🎨 Shop My Stickers: https://www.cassiedeeart.com/shop-3

🧲 Magnet Supplies
• Glass Cabochons → https://amzn.to/3U3hnVl
• Glass Glue → https://amzn.to/4gAMhgx
• Magnets → https://amzn.to/4qulfLd
• Magnet Glue → https://amzn.to/4bURm0F

🖼️ Mini Canvas with Easel → https://amzn.to/3Scr57m

☕Coaster Blanks → https://amzn.to/4ibLvaX

✉️ Greeting Card Supplies
• Single-Sided Gloss Cardstock → https://amzn.to/4gAQIbb
• Scoreboard for Folding → https://amzn.to/4ibLvaX
• Clear Card Sleeves → https://amzn.to/4bSWQcg
• A7 Envelopes → https://amzn.to/4cKGNNU
• Cutting Board → https://amzn.to/4wAWPkt
• Exacto Knife → https://amzn.to/4bUVTAd

Note: These are non-sponsored affiliate links, if you purchase through them I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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FIND ME ELSEWHERE 📱
IG: Instagram: cassiedee.art
TT: TikTok: cassiedee.art
My Website: https://www.cassiedeeart.com/

ABOUT ME: I’m Cassie, a 30-something fine artist nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, building a creative business amid my 8–5, motherhood, and the chaos of modern life. This is a little corner of the internet for making things slowly and finding my own version of success. If you’re also making room for creativity in a world full of distractions, I hope you’ll feel right at home. 💛

20 Comments

@heatherlavonnejensen 1 month ago

In times like these, people need the beauty and joy of art more than ever!

@dreamingofbeans 1 month ago (edited)

I think this discussion also heavily depends on what kind of demographic youre going for and what art you're making. I have made very weird y2k fashion pieces, art of cartoon characters/anime and kawaii type keychains and I would say business has never gone down, genuinely. Only went up. I would say if you're struggling - get outside the box, get weird and creepy cute, try some crazy sewing or something, tap into the childlike whimsy. A LOT of people are buying art still. Pinterest is awesome for those ideas and Tiktok & Depop at least for me is really awesome for business. And for stuff like crochet too this is included, my friend makes "taxidermy" punk/fairycore stuffed animals and little guys with piercings. They ALWAYS sell and fair pricing. Don't give up, you never know what you'd be into making and what you could become good at - people love when ya got all kinds of stuff :)

@sambeawesome 1 month ago (edited)

Making magnets out of paint skins is genius and such a great way to recycle too, I love it! I've been focusing more on marketing my digital products, as those can be cheaper options compared to commissions and originals. You're not alone in the struggle though, all my peers and friends are saying the same thing. Hopefully we can see some improvement with the economy soon. Not just for our sales, but also our own wallets x'D And gorgeous art btw!

@jenfries6417 1 month ago (edited)

I show my full price range, with a good amount of items at gift and impulse prices up to $40, a good number of originals $100 - $300, and a few original pieces $500 - $1000. The most expensive works are for exhibition to show my style, and I typically can sell a couple of $300 works as well as many under $100 and under $40. I think people feel more like they're getting my art, rather than merch, if they can see the big pieces right there with the cards, toys, and mini paintings.

Lol, I guess I'm going for that "stopping at the museum gift shop after touring the exhibition" effect.

@SlumberingFox 1 month ago

It has been SO bad. I've been painting for 25 years and this has been the hardest time to move my work. I have never had a surplus of work, and right now I have 8 paintings just...sitting here.

@Stephh2425 1 month ago

You’re a delight! TFS so openly. I wish you much success with your business! Steph

@RiannaMariman 1 month ago

Thanks so much for this video! I just started doing art fairs/markets this year, and they have all been a bust. Even the juried, Sunshine top 100 festival in a wealthy tourist town where I was sure I'd make more sales! I wondered if there was something wrong with my art, but every other artist I've talked to at these events has said the same thing - sales are just super slow this year! Great tips on some of these smaller, more "impulse buy" type items - will try some of these out!

@wormholeinteractive 1 month ago

I feel seen! This is my number one blocker to launching anything. Do people really need what I have to offer?
...then I learn about people making huge money selling balloon decor for sorority pick days...arg!

@pokefan099 1 month ago

Ive been watching a lot of advice from creative youtubers for months and this video is a standout! I love how you not only addressed the promises made in the title early on, but gave real numbers (both what youve seen others so and what youre doing) and had practical tips and shared unique things youre doing! This feels so much more like a more experienced peer giving actionable advice. Youve earned a sub today :)

@Celestial_Reach 1 month ago

Im a artisan jeweler, and yup, i noticed it too.

@sorem6410 1 month ago

You are the realest artist on youtube, I watched another videos but they feel so 1st world I dont know how to explain it exactly, its like they focus on online sales like etsy and in my country nobody uses that platform. I live in a poor country and I think all your solutions are practical, real and affordable. Thank you so much.

@GoddessofBlueberries 1 month ago

My art is limited to my website. I have to work every weekend and that’s when the fairs are. I noticed big companies are making themselves discoverable by AI and not relying on Google keywords anymore. Maybe that will help someone😊

@thistleseedstudio 1 month ago

You have so many wonderful ideas for smaller items! I love it!

@Neofreek 1 month ago

Great thoughts and solutions. I appreciate your willingness to direct focus on what is going to sell while keeping your heart in your art.

@rebeccawebb3842 1 month ago

Great discussion! And there is a genuine sincerity about your delivery. New subscriber!

@dianadee23 1 month ago

Thanks . This was really helpful. Same here in UK. Am making little notebooks as they sold well in last sale I did. Looking forward to Autumn and Winter. Good luck everyone

@kdmac07 1 month ago

This was so helpful! I have been thinking about adding this as a side hustle and this has been on my mind. Your insights were so great! Thank you for sharing!