eagles100 Posted May 9, 2013 Report Posted May 9, 2013 I paint glassware: platters, bowls, glasses, etc. I was wondering which market would be best to sell my wares at. What is the cost to rent a table? Do you have to sign to rent a table for a period of time? Thanks for your input. Here is an example of my work:
bwhite1948 Posted May 9, 2013 Report Posted May 9, 2013 Do you have the proper working visa status to run a business in Mexico?
eagles100 Posted May 9, 2013 Author Report Posted May 9, 2013 No and that was another question I forgot to ask. Do I need to be Permanente? How do others sell without being Mexican? I will have Temporal and working on Permanente at time of renewal.
More Liana Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 With a Temporal, the question is: as a foreigner, do you have or are you willing to apply for a work permit. If you are discovered to be working without a work permit, you could be deported. PS: Your work is truly beautiful!
eagles100 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Posted May 10, 2013 Ok so I guess I won't bother except to do some pieces for friends. Now I wonder how all the people at the markets sell their stuff.
CSOKI Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 I think you could sell your wares at art and craft shows with no problem.
eagles100 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Posted May 10, 2013 I'm not looking to sell a whole whack of product. It takes me hours, sometimes several hours for each piece. Believe me, I don't make a fortune on this. Maybe I could just have a few pieces on another vendor's table.
Fox Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 There are many expats that sell their jewelry, paintings and etc,etc Lakeside. Hopefully one of them will chime in and answer your questions.
satnrose Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 Nice work. You can start with ASA (Ajijic Society Arts). They meet monthly, have shows throughout the year and one judged show around March. I have never heard of anyone participating with this organization asked for a work permit. You do make contacts and may be asked to show your work at galleries or businesses. If you open a small store likely you will be asked for a business license. They come around. For a small business it would be a bi monthly fee plus a small percentage of the sell. An accountant might be more expensive than the business license. You do not need a permanent to get a business license. Efren Gonzales has an annual or bi annual show you can participate in, by reserving a space. A private home showing is another route, often done with artists pairing up. The law in Mexico says you owe if you profit. Art falls in a grey area. Artists generally don't sell enough for the business police to worry about.
More Liana Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 I wouldn't worry about 'the business police'. However, if one disgruntled customer, or a rival vendor, or just some person with a grudge decides to report you to INM, that's all it takes to be in a mess for a while--or deported forever. I saw it happen in Ajijic. Most old-timers know the story: a person who was providing a personal service to friends, in his own home, was reported to INM and deported from one minute to the next--escorted to the airport and the door to Mexico slammed behind him.
satnrose Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 My artist friend was reported, we think, by a rival vendor. However, in her case she did sell more paintings than most, so they were motivated. She was asked to get a business license. No hassle other than that. She did and then quit painting for awhile. The story you provided, Lliana, may have more to do with a work permit and direct competition with Mexicans. I don't know the story. I understand and agree with your point that there can be a risk.
bdmowers Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 There are at dozens of people who sell their wares - jewelry, paintings, clothing, etc. at the local fairs and tianguis. You come that day, bring your table to some, some have tables for you, set up, pay your fee (40-150 pesos) and sell your stuff. That's it. Nothing else at all required. There is a Monday market at Hole in One, a Tuesday market at La Huerta, Wednesday Ajijic tianguis, Friday Artisan Market at la Huerta. To start. PM me for more info.
Betsy Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 I wouldn't worry about 'the business police'. However, if one disgruntled customer, or a rival vendor, or just some person with a grudge decides to report you to INM, that's all it takes to be in a mess for a while--or deported forever. I saw it happen in Ajijic. Most old-timers know the story: a person who was providing a personal service to friends, in his own home, was reported to INM and deported from one minute to the next--escorted to the airport and the door to Mexico slammed behind him. What kind of service was this person providing?
mexart Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 Another option would be to teach this art form to the locals, say at the LCS art classes.
mexart Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 Another option would be to teach this art form to the locals, say at the LCS art classes.
suzanjo Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 Mexart, just go to the market you are interested in selling at, ask around about who to talk with so you can start selling too! It is not complicated.
More Liana Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 What kind of service was this person providing? Betsy, it was a long time ago. The person was cutting his friends' hair.
bwhite1948 Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 People who tell you there's nothing to worry about will likely not come to your rescue should problems arise. Listen to More Liana....she knows of what she speaks. Contact a lawyer and get your paperwork in order first. Personally, I will not purchase art from expats; there are more than enough excellent local Mexican artists whose livelihood depends on selling their goods. If you qualify for a Permanente (and you implied that you do), chances are you do not need the money, whereas national artists do indeed need these monies. But for those expats who want to sell goods/services, at the very least they ought to follow the law to do so.
eagles100 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Posted May 10, 2013 I've been thinking about it. I'm not doing my art for the money but for gratification when people appreciate it. Sooooo, what if I create and give my pieces to the animal shelters for them to sell my art at auction? I won't get in trouble that way and the animals benefit. Everyone wins !!! I'm asking those who are in charge of the local animal shelters to contact me by private message for further details. What do you all think of that idea?
gringal Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 A different perspective than b.white's: IMO, the best reason to create art or buy art is because you find it enhances your life. All art is made by humans and all artists speak one language: art. I don't think that either the nationality of the artist or his/her level of financial need should matter. There are prosperous Mexican artists here; reason being that they do very good work. There are also retired artists from elsewhere getting by on their Social Security checks. Some of them do very good work, too, but the income from their art is minimal, if any. Many of them have been here long enough that they can go Permanente without meeting the new financial requirements. (A good thing, too. lol.) Back to the topic: The Ajijic Society of the Arts meets on the first Monday of the month at La Bodega restaurant at 10:00 a.m. and you can become a member for 200 pesos for the year. The group shows their work on the Ajijic Plaza around the third Sunday of the month; also has an Open Studios event in February at the various artist's homes and studios. The Children's Art Program meets at the Lake Chapala Society grounds on Saturdays and they welcome people who are willing to do teaching. However, the projects need to be suited to the skills or young children and the materials available to them. Your work is beautiful and ASA would welcome you as a member.
bwhite1948 Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 I've been thinking about it. I'm not doing my art for the money but for gratification when people appreciate it. Sooooo, what if I create and give my pieces to the animal shelters for them to sell my art at auction? I won't get in trouble that way and the animals benefit. Everyone wins !!! I'm asking those who are in charge of the local animal shelters to contact me by private message for further details. What do you all think of that idea? Excellent idea!!! Kudos to you.
More Liana Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 I've been thinking about it. I'm not doing my art for the money but for gratification when people appreciate it. Sooooo, what if I create and give my pieces to the animal shelters for them to sell my art at auction? I won't get in trouble that way and the animals benefit. Everyone wins !!! I'm asking those who are in charge of the local animal shelters to contact me by private message for further details. What do you all think of that idea? Brilliant! Best of success to you and the animal shelters!
eagles100 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Posted May 10, 2013 This is my past work. I don't have any of these for sale as they have all been either sold, gifted or donated. https://picasaweb.google.com/112670707655520520973/HandPaintedGlassware
bdmowers Posted May 10, 2013 Report Posted May 10, 2013 People who tell you there's nothing to worry about will likely not come to your rescue should problems arise. Listen to More Liana....she knows of what she speaks. Contact a lawyer and get your paperwork in order first. Personally, I will not purchase art from expats; there are more than enough excellent local Mexican artists whose livelihood depends on selling their goods. If you qualify for a Permanente (and you implied that you do), chances are you do not need the money, whereas national artists do indeed need these monies. But for those expats who want to sell goods/services, at the very least they ought to follow the law to do so. 1) It is perfectly within the law to sell goods at a tianguis without a business license or any other arrangement with the government. To assume people are not following the law is incorrect. 2) Anyone living here has as much right, in every meaning of that word, to make a living as anyone else. And, again, to assume, that "national" artists are the only ones that "need these monies" is, again, incorrect.
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