MCAG Online Store

MEMBER RESOURCES:

So, you want to join our new online store? GREAT! Below is a detailed description of how the new MCAG Online store works.  There is a lot of information—please read through it all before you submit your form.

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Questions about getting started? Email  muddycreekartists@gmail.com.

• Each Artist is currently limited to 10 pieces of work in the store.  Note that you can have multiple counts for each piece (example: 3 copies of a print).  As work sells, Artists can submit a new piece to replace one that sold.  We may increase the count for each Artist in the future after we have had a chance to see how things are going.

• Each participating Artist will be assigned a Sponsor/Admin who will upload your work to the store plus be your contact when you want to change a description, replace a piece when one sells or if you want to just swap it out.

• There is no charge to participate but you must be a current member of The Guild and have paid your dues for the year you have work displayed in the Marketplace. Dues can be paid through our online store or by mailing a check to the MCAG Treasurer (c/o Ruth Bailey, 6068 Drum Point Rd, Deale, MD 20751).

• The Guild will take 15% of the sale (same as in our regular art shows). The Guild will handle all sales tax.

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• The Guild is using an online mercantile system offered by Square.com, who we use to handle all our sales at our in-person shows. It is very user friendly and looks great.

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Registration requires two steps:

1. Submit photos in the format noted below via email to MCAG (Link below)

2. Fill out the online submission form (Link below)

Before you submit your form and photos take some time to view the Online store and see how things are organized and how participating artists have presented their work. Visit the store now >>

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• You will receive an email from the Store Treasurer with a copy of the email that was sent to the customer after they purchased the item.  This will be your notification of the sale.  The email will include the customer’s phone # and email address to start coordination for pickup/delivery.
   

• Delivery/Shipping may be one of the trickiest parts of this whole process and all artists need to consider their options.  Right now, we are posting all work in the store as local pickup only.  This is primarily due to the cost and logistics of shipping large framed artwork.  To assist the Artist in delivery options we have created a position we call “Sales Coordinator”.  If you need assistance let your sponsor know.
   

• The options for getting the item to the Customer are:
  –   The artist can deliver the item to the customer.
  –   The customer can arrange a time and place with the Artist to pick up the item.
  –   Working through the Sales Coordinator another volunteer artist could deliver the item to the customer.
  –   The artist can ship the item to the customer.  The cost for shipping (if not included in the price of the item) will need to be worked out directly between the Artist and the Customer.  This will require an additional financial transaction between the artist and customer.
  –   If you are selling smaller items that are conducive to packing up and mailing you can include shipping cost in the price of your piece.  If you do this, you need to indicate this in your item description.
   

• When an item is shipped you will need to reply to the above email from the Treasurer with the following information:
  –   When it shipped
  –   How it was shipped (What carrier or method)
  –   A tracking number if you have one
   

• If a customer buys items from multiple Artists, there will need to be a coordinated effort to get all the items to the customer.  If this happens a Sales Coordinator will step in and assist with this process.
   

• Ultimately every Artist is responsible to figure out how to get their work to the customer in a timely manner. 
   

• All artists need to be prepared if they sell one of their works of art to someone outside our area.  We would recommend that you determine what options you have on how to ship your work to the “out of town” customer.  Once a sale takes place you will need to quickly determine how to get the art to them and at what cost.
   

• We will continue to discuss the logistics of delivery for large art pieces and hopefully come up with some additional options. 
   

• Payout for sales will be issued by the Treasurer once a month.

• You should allow 2-3 weeks for your items to be posted in the store.
   

• You need to hold out your listed items from your other sales inventory.  Once a customer purchases an item, we are obligated to get it to them
   

• The Guild reserves the right to remove or restrict items or artists who fail to cooperate or follow the requirements and guidelines of the store.  This is a cooperative effort and requires all of us to work together.
   

• Once you know who your sponsor is be sure to include their personal email in all correspondence with
   

• Once your items have been placed in the store be sure to view it and let your sponsor know if there are any changes you want made.
   

• Share the link to the store with all your friends and family and let them know that new artists and items are being added every week.  Stay tuned for tips and techniques from our store Publicity Manager on how to effectively promote our new Online Store.

In closing I want to thank you for your participation in this exciting endeavor.  A lot of time and effort has been put forth by an amazing group of Muddy Creek artists to make this happen.  As more and more artists join the online store, we will be looking for more participation to help with operations and publicity.  We are still learning so your patience and support is appreciated as The Guild moves forward in a new way to promote art in South County.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your sponsor.

Thank you,
MCAG Online Store
Management Team