Who: Mikel Robinson, 35, mixed-media artist
Where: Durham, N.C.
Etsy shop: galeriedeilluminata.etsy.com
Robinson creates mixed-media paintings, illuminated light boxes, digital collages, and found-object jewelry. Sales from his Etsy shop have been on an upward trend lately, and Robinson expects his gross sales for this year to be double last year's.
Advice for selling online: Be patient. "Sales do not occur overnight — it takes time for people to learn who you are and to trust purchasing items from someone they have never met. They must first learn to love your work before they can feel comfortable purchasing it from you."
The hardest part about balancing art and commerce: "Not letting the world judge or decide my level of success. Art is not something that easily follows society's rules. I must constantly set goals for myself, whether with exhibitions or new project ideas, and I don't let myself become content with where my work is at any given time."
Featured item: "Sanctum XI", lightbox, $120
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