Where can I source materials for upcycled or hand-painted custom products affordably?

Explore resale and secondhand marketplaces where you can find high-quality items at a fraction of retail cost. Platforms like Poshmark offer significant arbitrage opportunities—you can often find designer or high-end items for 10% to 30% of their original price. Thrift stores, garage sales, and consignment shops are also great sources. The key is to look for items in good condition that provide a strong base for your work. You can also ask customers to send you their own items to customize, which eliminates your sourcing cost and adds sentimental value for the buyer. Test different sourcing methods to see what’s most efficient and profitable for your workflow.

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Asked by an artist sourcing materials for custom products · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-06-28