The Ugly Truth About Being an Art Toy Artist: My Experience 

I have been sculpting and making art dolls for 20 years - I now have my own shop and my husband has left his job and works with me now - and I have hired an assistant - it can happen :) ❤

I think more people are actually into art toys they just don't know it because they forget how much they loved toys as a child and get caught up in "adulting"

I agree, it's better to have a small following of people who really like your work than thousands of casual followers. It's tricky with handmade goods, you have to build slowly, after all you can only make/paint so many items. If you get too popular you'll have to outsource the manufacturing, but then they are not handmade anymore.

I see all your passion behind these words which may seem pessimistic, but I think they instead help to raise awareness of what reality can be like, so that if a person decides to face this path they know what they can face.

Art toy industry is ruthless. You can spend thousands on designing, manufacturing and sell like 3 toys.

Real, true and honest insight. I'm now 5 years into my marathon, and just now, I'm starting to see sales that validate my time/money/energy investment.

Love this video, your intense passion, and drive! I'm a recent industrial design grad looking to branch into the toy industry. Thanks for your honest take and sharing of process. Definitely going to be diving further into your work!

$. Imo, if an artist wants success and longevity in the Art Toy industry your toys needs to invoke an emotional connection with anyone who views it. Not after they learn about your art but as soon as they see it they should feel a connection...or extension of themselves. I feel like this is the main thing that has made someone like KAWS's art so popular. If you focus on that first, decide on what human connection you want to make between your art and your audience then it becomes less of a toy and more of an art piece. Less about paying for a novelty and more about self expression or saying something with your art that the collector couldn't have said better with words. The value of these things often aren't found in the materials themselves. I think of it as being as much as a personal statement as fashion. If someone has your art displayed in their home...what does this say about them?

It's an accomplishment to get one completely done! I'm not discouraged.

It depends on where you are on the globe. If you are in the right place, you can definitely make a fortune. I love these niches. 😁

Thank you for this video. It’s enlightening to see the honest truth that will kick me in the head. Like yourself, I have a day job as well, and kickstart a small designer art toy. Knowingly that this small journey will need a heavy funding..from time in conceptualising your idea to the production phase. I’m happy that I can share the same experience such as yourself, to understand the industry is not an easy path.

Relativity to your target audience is also very important. I also make art figures but not just to my own taste I learnt I had to branch out my style still make it my own but be relative to todays culture aswell..I’ve noticed this with a lot of art toy designers they. Make a lot of the same thing like random monsters with random colours all over..sometimes you can’t even make out what it is..I get it’s art but the goal is to also make money and people gotta sacrifice some details or personal preferences to do so…but great work dude for sure 😊 keep creating

Your videos are super helpful and packed with info, thank you so much!

I'm glad that more youtubers are dishing out the cold-hard truth these days.. keep it up!

Absolutely Best Recommendation Not for the ones that want to believe they can But for the Wise Artist We think we can go out Probably travel to the main city and make our dream become reality Nothing far from the true You know what your saying And l lived to understand it Sad but real GREAT VIDEO ADVICE can save a lot of sadness “ 🤜⚡️🤛

Great video once again. As you rightfully said, this is not a sprint, this is a marathon. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to get my hands on Geckogon 🙌

I love your passion for your craft and respect you taking a realistic outlook on the finances too. I've honestly never heard of 'art toys' before but I was recommended this video because I've been watching a lot of other videos about sculpting with clay. I'm thinking of learning sculpting to make small figures and decorative items like cute ornaments and keychains etc. Is this at all similar to making art toys or the target market for art toys?

I really love your video and your explaination ❤ Thank you very much

I Don't think its hard to sell your Art as an Artist, you just need to know how to think and plan as a Business man as WELL as being an Artist. you need to know how and where to market yourself. what sells, what doesn't sell. ect.

Thank you for making this

Gotta know how to advertise and how to relate to your target audience bro..its only a struggle if you let it become one...shouldn't recommend to others they shouldn't do it..everyone experiences different things at different points...its up to the individual 😉

Su idea y experiencia de vivir del arte es 1 cosa ...no hagas caso si ves este video es todo lo que los mediocres te van decir...si ya eres artista seguro t debes haber topado con este tipo de mensajes. Cuando empiezas un proyecto debes tener otra ocupacion en paralelo...pero en todo ambito, no solo el del arte...no hagas caso a estos mensajes deprimentes

This is an extremely pessimistic video, just because you were unable to succeed in the toy industry doesn't mean you should stray other artists and designers away from starting. There's literally a ~$300 resin printer behind you, and you're talking about spending thousands to get started, completely bizarre. I had one look at your socials, and there is no brand behind your work, subpar photography and (subjectively) strange looking toys, you need to understand your target audience and brand building, only then will you succeed on social media.

I am loving 3D printing and now with Nomad Sculpt I am finally starting to create my own models. I just discovered this Art Toy thing and thought : Hey maybe this is the thing that will finally make me richer than Elon Musk but I saw your video and you completely destroyed my expectations LOL Good to have the feet back on the ground and lower my expectations to underground level. LOL

Can an art toy be made of fiber? I needle felt little toys and I love the art toy community but I'm not sure mine can be considered an art toy...

The other perspective is art toys is a “young” industry with a wealth of potential growth.

But isn't Mighty Jaxx art toys? I thought they were extremely popular?

You are doing sales wrong, you should sell on a 'pre order' system, so that you never have to suffer through the "i payed for x amount of figures, but I didnt see the money back until after 3 years"

Lamentablemente este video llega a mis ojos 10 años y 5 meses tarde hehehehe. Muy buenos videos los que haz creado 👍

I left a lot of things to do this project, I would like to watch this video before. Anyway I did it, and I hope get better :v, if that happens I should notice you to colaborate uwu

No me importa. Lo único que deseo es el poder de hacer algo hermoso y bello; la aprobación del mundo fuera de mi craneo es irrelevante.

Actually your pessimism is usefull if you know how to use it. It seems that you are not on sales channels. What about Etsy, Amazon and other marketplaces?

Great video. I'm been collecting Marusan 350 and that figure you are holding looks like it will fit with my collection .Where can I purchase it?

Debby downer

Excellent advice.

This video is true like most art if u not in it for the long haul and can't support yourself dont do it. We all dream of living off our work but it takes time. Trust me i know lol