As an artist, what can I sell with Mystry Mart?

All art must be original. Items have to be no more than 5” width x 7” height x 2” depth or smaller in order to fit into the machine.
Examples include:

• Small Paintings

• Prints (MUST BE 4" wide x 7" tall x 2" deep OR SMALLER)

• Mini Sculptures or figurines

• Jewelry

• Photography

• Books or Graphic Novels

• Stickers

• Keychains

• Pins

• Textile-Based Items

• Games or Puzzles

DO ARTISTS HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING?

It’s a 50/50 partnership! There is no cost for participation. Artists set a price for their work in our Artist Application, keeping in mind that 50% of the item’s sale will be shared with Mystry Mart. We operate as a consignment business, which means artists provide their work to us to sell on their behalf, and they retain ownership of the items until their items are sold. This ensures that artists can participate without any upfront costs..Payouts are processed at the beginning of each month, based on the sales of your work from the previous month. Every payment is done securely through our business Zelle account.

• 100% Sell-Out Streak: Every artist who has worked with Mystry Mart has achieved a 100% sell-out of their items. This track record demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach and the demand for the art featured in our machines.

Why does Mystry Mart take 50% from artists?

While it may seem like a 50/50 split, Mystry Mart actually ends up taking home the least out of the three parties involved (the artist, the host location, and us). Here's why:

The 50% we keep helps cover:

• Sales tax (8.875%) and card reader fees (2.5%)

• Rent or commission fees paid to locations like museums, clubs, and cultural centers

• Packaging and wrapping to make each item look polished and ready to vend

• Machine maintenance, restocking, and repairs

• Insurance and customer support (including refunds)

• Advertising and social media to promote both your work and the location

We also take on all the logistical, operational, and financial burdens to make things as easy as possible for artists, so you can focus on creating without worrying about vending, tech issues, or overhead.

Our mission has always been artist-first. That’s why, even after everything, we take the smallest cut to keep the project going and growing.

Do I have to be based in New York to participate?

No, we accept artists from all across the United States.

I don’t have zelle, can we use a different payment method?

Currently, we only process payments through Zelle. This method allows us to offer a secure and streamlined process for all parties. Most major banks in the U.S. use Zelle, so you may be able to access it directly through your bank’s mobile app.

What do you look for in an artist submission?

We’re looking for artists who have a strong, consistent style and a clear connection to their creative work. Mystry Mart is not a place to submit leftover inventory or quickly throw together an art page just to be featured. We work with creatives who are actively making, have built their lives around their craft, and express a visual identity that feels authentic.

Your submission should reflect the work you already showcase on your Instagram. We look for consistency between what you create and what you’re submitting, so if your page is focused on one medium or style, your submission should stay true to that. We’re not interested in pieces made just to fit in, we’re interested in what makes you stand out.

If your work feels intentional, aligned with your practice, and made with care, you’re exactly who we want to work with.

What are the Requirements for Artists?

• A public, artist-focused Instagram account with your work clearly showcased is required. We include your Instagram handle on the packaging so that customers can see who they are purchasing from, connect with you directly, and explore more of your work. Failure to provide a public and active Instagram account could affect the approval process.

• Sign your work. Please sign all of your work if possible and If you are offering exclusive prints or original pieces, please include numbering (e.g., 1/50 for the first print out of 50).

• Packaging is mandatory. Although your artwork will be placed into our special chip bag packaging, it is required that you also package your work before submission. If you do not have your own branded packaging that fits the 5x7x2 inch frame, we recommend using plastic sleeve bags like these: Plastic Sleeve Bags (Amazon) to keep your work neat when being removed from our chip bag.

  Include corrugated cardboard for light items. For lightweight items such as paper, pins, keychains, magnets, etc., it is mandatory to include corrugated cardboard. This helps with weight distribution, ensuring items vend properly in the machine, and prevents potential damage. You can use inserts like these: Corrugated Cardboard Inserts (Amazon). Canvas boards do not require corrugated cardboard as they are the proper weight for vending.

  If you need assistance with packaging, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help!

• Quality matters. Your art represents not only your unique vision but also the collective spirit of all the artists involved in Mystry Mart. We encourage you to take care with the quality and presentation of your work, as it reflects us all.

How many items would an artist need to provide to participate?

We designate 1 slot for each artist we work with. This helps us keep everyone’s work organized and easy to determine payouts. Each slot contains 12 spot holders, our initial minimum requirement is 20 items to conduct a trial run. Once the initial batch sells and feedback is positive, we’ll contact you to discuss further involvement.

What if I have multiple types of items to sell (prints, jewelry, stamps, etc.)?

This only applies to artists who wish to submit multiple types of items.

We love that you’re multi-talented! However, we ask that you start with prints or traditional artwork first, as that’s our main focus and what tends to do best in the machine. Once you’ve gotten started and we’ve seen how your work resonates, we’re happy to explore other items you may want to sell, like jewelry, stamps, or other handmade pieces.

This helps us keep the machine curated and consistent while giving you space to grow within the Mystry Mart experience.

Item Price Preferences:

We have found that some items sell better than others. Here’s a breakdown:
While we do accept keychains, pins, and magnets, our main focus is on prints and traditional artworks. These tend to resonate more with our audience and help elevate the overall look and feel of the machine—giving it a more curated, gallery-like vibe.

For standard prints, we suggest starting at a $10 price point. If they perform well, we’ll raise them to $15 to reflect growing demand.

Prints made with Giclée or higher-quality paper should begin at $15, and if they continue to do well, we may raise them to $20.

If we feel your work should be priced higher from the start, we’ll reach out with a suggested adjustment. In general, we prefer to start with accessible pricing to gauge demand and make sure items are moving, especially since we rotate artists regularly to give more people a chance to be featured. All price changes will require your permission.

🎨 Prints (digital, screen prints, poster-style, giclée) → $10 - $15
🖼 Mixed Media, or Original Drawings/Paintings → $20 - $25
🏺 Sculptures, Ceramics, Handmade, or Unique Materials → $30+

• $10 → Best-selling price point. If you price here, aim to provide 100+ pieces to keep up with demand after the initial trial.

• $15 → Second best-selling price. Expect to need around 50+ pieces at this price after the initial trial.

• $20 → Third best-selling price point. If pricing here, plan for 40+ pieces in stock after the initial trial.

• $25 → Fewer sales but still moves. You’ll need 30+ pieces for this tier after the initial trial.

• $30+ → Best for unique, handmade, or premium items. 20+ pieces should be enough at this tier after the initial trial.

• We DO NOT accept sticker packs! In order to ensure we’re not solely known as a sticker machine, we do not allow sticker packs. If you wish to submit stickers, please include them alongside other items such as prints, pins, keychains, etc.

Item Requirements:

1. Ensure your item is heavy enough to drop straight down 5 feet, this is to ensure your items will vend properly in our machine.

2. Packaging for Prints or Canvas: If you do not have your own packaging, consider using Clear Resealable Cellophane Bags (Amazon). These will not only protect your work but also present it in a professional manner.

3. Paper Quality for Prints: If you are selling prints, consider using thicker card-stock paper. This enhances the weight distribution, ensuring your items vend properly in the machine and appear more appealing to customers.

4. Support for Light Weight Items: For artworks printed or created on lighter paper or items light in weight such as pins, keychains, or magnets, adding a sturdy backer can provide the necessary support for proper vending. Consider using a Corrugated Cardboard Backer (Amazon).

5. Boxed packages are also welcomed for more intricate items (such as jewelry, miniature figurines, or ceramics) but must be within the 5” width x 7” height x 2” depth dimensions. Consider Corrugated Cardboard Boxes (Amazon). You can also use Mesh Bags (Amazon) instead of boxed packaging.

6. For Ceramics or equally delicate items, please use Bubble Wrap (Amazon) to protect your work.

7. Ensure your package keeps your item from breaking or getting damaged in transit.

8. We encourage everyone to sign their work and incorporate their own branding elements, such as a sticker, business card, or something more simple like a thank-you note with their items. These little touches can create a lasting impression.

9. In most cases, we are happy to help with packaging as we have additional equipment to make your life easier, just reach out!

Meeting these requirements makes it more likely that we can accept your item, and that it will sell well in our machines. Please see below for examples: