I am not sure if this is the right forum to post this question, but I did read the guidelines for posting within this forum as stated above: "It could be used as a sounding board for ideas," but not to be used in a manner to promote an idea.

I am not promoting my business, but I would love to hear honest feedback if there might be a market for a couple of ideas I am thinking of involving art.

#1) I come from the U.S. where people are crazy about their pets, and there are a lot of things pet related: toys, beds, etc. Since I am an artist, I have sold the occasional "pet portrait." They are oil paints on canvass, and I have also figured out how to make jewelry displaying a picture of your pet (rings, pendants, etc).

#2) The other idea is to teach children arts and crafts, but in the theme of animals. This way they grow their knowledge of the animal world while also learning art.

Anyway, I would really appreciate constructive and honest feedback if either of those ideas might translate well into Switzerland and the markets here.

Thank you!

Basically, yes, I think you'd find a niche market in Switzerland, if the art is done tastefully. There are plenty of wealthy pet owners out there. I see plenty of dogs wearing designer clothes (weird ... I thought that's what they have fur coats for).

Think about advertising in pet shops, dog clubs, etc.

Good luck!

Hello,

Second idea sounds more interesting to me. Especially knowing that kids like animals, that can make a good point to catch their attention while learning art..

And I like the animal jewelry design idea more than pet portrait. And it is anyway an attractive market in fashion world nowadays..


Good luck!

Thank you very much for the replies! It is really helpful to hear others' input and also very motivating to hear such positive feedback

Totally agree. A tasteful pet portrait is something a significant number of people would pay a lot for. Challenge would be in building a clientèle -- naturally this kind of business would be best grown through recommendation and/or in tandem with high-end pet parlous. Maybe approach a few of them with a portfolio and plan (i.e. what kickback they get per portrait client).

Second idea totally different. Depends on your priorities and preferences. I see more steam in the first, but if you are more passionate about the second, perhaps do something where you work with the art departments of international schools?

Yeah, those skinny dogs or tiny chihuahuas in little Burberry vests. Cute... and snobbish.

Pet portraits. Very good idea.

My sister in SA has done a few, beginning just for fun, with local "characters", and has become quite well known now, with more and more orders arriving. One elderly lady has regular portraits done of her cat, as she grows.

People order "portraits" of their houses, much better to record a favoured pet!

I wish you much success in your endeavour.

I don't know the shop but our neighbour has www.just4dogs.ch on the back of her car, the shop is in Erlenbach.

Good ideas I think!
Having an art business myself (photographer), I am convinced that key to success is on one side the market (and your way of approaching it), but also and similarly important is your passion and relationship with the subject. It's so important to have a relation to either pets (case #1) or to children's education plus animals (case #2).
As you come up with these ideas I assume this is the case anyway. But it's important to keep it in mind and it will make your approach to it much more authentic and thereby easier to be successful.
If you love it, go for it!