The place to shop for Free Spirits, Bohemians, Hippies, Unique Thinkers, Lovers of Life, Colour & Goats.
Something exciting is on the way... here are all the details for you in the words of Charmaine Morris, inspired founder:
Around January this year I came up with the idea to start a website for things that will add value to the lives of people. As many of you know, I am the hands behind the product ranges sold by some Holistic/Esoteric shops (and the mind behind many of the copies of my products). I also help and work on spiritual healing and teaching with many people. I decided I need to start something new that is simply about beauty and joy. I started looking around for the things I love and after my wedding in May could finally put some energy into getting my ideas onto paper.
I bought the website domain then, a little later reserved the facebook name for a page and slowly started blending and experimenting with new recipes. The Boho Tree is starting to shape into something with substance.
Where do you as an artist/artisan/craftsperson fit in?
I know many creative people… and most of them hates marketing, promoting themselves, tooting their own horn about their talents and doing admin… They would not know where to start in creating a website or market their work. For many the production of their works is a labour that takes weeks or months and paying the costs and time involved in an online business (security certificates, domain registrations, courier accounts, business bank account clearances amongst others) is just too much if they only produce one or two items a month.
I want to open a window of opportunity where all the amazing artistic people can sell without investing any money. A platform is needed where their beautiful creations are not drowned out by all the mass-produced China made items like on the current ‘auction’ or mass shopping websites. A place where unique thinkers are celebrated…
What will I offer?
On the website I will create a separate category for artists and creators.
- Each artist will have a sub-category of his/her own.
- You will get a short blurb - who you are, what you love, what motivates you and a little bit of your story with a picture.
- Your items will be listed in your own section - whether it is 1 product or a 100. You will not get lost in the masses and if you want to refer someone to your category, a direct link can be given to them to go directly to your own little section.
- I will handle the monthly payments for the hosting and yearly payments of the domain including the payments to keep the security certificates up to date.
- I will handle the courier pick-ups and deliveries.
- I will load your items and keep the website updated.
- I will market the website through Facebook ads and other avenues (competitions etc) at no costs to you.
- You will get paid for your item/s each Friday of the week in which delivery to the client is confirmed.
- If you are a charity organisation or non-profit that has people making lovely things that needs to be marketed - chat to me.
What will I expect from you?
- You will have to calculate a price for your product. Please work out a proper price. I am not someone who believes an artist needs to price his/her creations to only survive on bread and water. Price your products at their worth - your time, love, dedication, talent and often tears went into it. Price should
reflect that the buyer is acquiring something precious.
- You will need to provide me with your short story, your photo for your category and also your photos of the works you wish to sell.
- You will need to measure and weigh (roughly) each item and send me that as well. This is for information I need to provide to the couriers as well as clients. People want to know the size, height, width etc of what they buy.
- Every artwork or creation needs a description. You can name it, tell the story of its inspiration and/creation. Good descriptions that stirs the soul sells your art. I will edit descriptions.
- You must be able to package your item well enough for safe transportation.
- If you should sell an item out of hand that you had listed on The Boho Tree, you must let me know immediately please. I must remove the item in time so that nobody buys it again. If it is something you have many of like similar painted vases or knitted scarves, this becomes less urgent.
- You will not pay anything to me ever. I will add a 35% mark-up to your price. Payment providers most often charge between 5 and 10% transaction fees which will be deducted from my 35% not yours. I will also pay all other expenses like marketing. The buyer will pay the courier costs. You will therefore get your full amount
- no deductions will be made.
- The type of items I require for the art section will be anything you make yourself. This can be anything from knitting, crocheted or sewn items, unique clothing or shoes you create or design, artworks, sculptures, blocked or framed photography, paintings, decorative items like lamps etc. Basically anything you can
create, make or build.
- I will not take your items into custody. I have an agreement with my courier that they will pick a sold item up from you and deliver it to the buyer. You have the security to know you can ask me to remove something at any time.
- I finally ask that you invite friends and family to like our page on Facebook as soon as the website is up. (Still constructing and must still buy the final template - experimenting with many at the moment.) I will inform you when it is up but you can get all the photos and stock ready so long.
- I am hoping to launch no later than the last week in November. I will need all who are interested in joining in this venture to try have everything ready for me by latest end of the first week in November.
Just please take note I will not be joining The Boho Tree in any Black Friday madness or promotions this year or ever. The online shop will be about art, beauty and grace, not about blatant mass sale consumerism.
Please know I prefer e-mail communications for a written record but you are welcome to call me during office hours if you need to ask anything.
earthcharm@icloud.com.
I really hope we can distribute happiness together,
Many Blessings,
Charmaine
Feel free to mail me any questions that I did not answer in this post. xxx
