If your website is generating so much interest that you can't create works fast enough to keep up with demand and your servers are crashing due to the huge traffic flows to your site, you probably don't need us to promote your art. If, however, you feel more exposure may be helpful, please consider us. We are dedicated to the promotion of proven quality fine art and craftwork. We offer free tools to maximize your success, including resource listings (local, state,national, and world art venues, clubs, suppliers, etc.), as well as the opportunity to post events of interest to you (e.g. upcoming personal shows). A CASH PRIZE COMPETITION with no entry fees is also featured. If you have no personal website, the above comments apply, plus we can save you substantial time, energy and money in developing a bona fide web presence. We are a hands-on group and personally review the work of all invited artisans. Think your work merits a category not currently available on the site? Contact us. We can set one up for you quickly.

Matchup is a broker and promoter of fine art, craftwork, and jewelry. TO GET STARTED: sign up; please do not use an ALLCAPS style. Choose the "three for free" SUBSCRIPTION PLAN to test the waters, or one of the advanced participation options. Any subscription plan chosen by you offers a MainGallery page and at least one IndividualGallery page (for the artisan who is the owner and sole item vendor in the gallery). The total number of items displayed in your gallery (irregardless of the number of artisans in the gallery) is defined by the subscription plan you select. As the gallery owner you have exquisite control over information and item display details via your "My Account" page. You have TWO BASIC OPTIONS FOR MANAGING YOUR SALES: 1)"Onsite checkout" is handled by Matchup and we charge a commission for the service. We help you coordinate packing and shipping arrangements when a sale is completed. Sellers agree to warranty all of their works. Our ease of purchase, security, privacy guarantee and unconditional return privilege combine to make this gallery attractive to buyers. 2)"Offsite Checkout" sends the buyer to your own (non-Matchup) checkout system and incurs NO commissions from Matchup. BRIEFLY: 1)Sign up and choose a subscription plan. Indicate your choice of "onsite" or "offsite" checkout for your item sales. If you have chosen a plan requiring a fee payment, pay online or by check or money order. 2) After receiving a confirmation email from us, set up your MainGallery page and IndividualGallery pages for your artisans (you've got at least one if you are the sole artisan). Submit item descriptions with uploaded images. 3) When items are sold, pack them securely, insure them and ship them to the buyer. PRICING is by you; we will assist in pricing if requested. A MINIMUM OF 3 ITEM SUBMISSIONS, allowing buyers to better appreciate the body of work of a particular artisan, increases the sales prospects for their items.

-If you have chosen Offsite Checkout for your item sales, you must clearly indicate any warrantee terms to your buyers prior to accepting their payments. You must also honor buyer requests for third party escrow participation in the sale. -If you have chosen Onsite Checkout for your item sales, and automated shipping calculations are unavailable for your items, Matchup will contact you directly to facilitate the successful completion of the sale. -Please be sure an accurate street address is shown on the My Profile page of your My Account section. You may hide this address from viewers by unchecking it, but it must be present to allow for automated shipping calculation.

To list items for sale after your registration has been confirmed by email from us: 1. Log in to with your user name and password, and go to the "My Account" page. 2. Click "my artisans". A page will display listing your artisans. 3. On the appropriate row, click "add items to this gallery". A blank form for a new item will display. 4. Fill out the new item form, being sure to enter a .jpg image from your computer. Its size must be at least 640x480 pixels, and no larger than 2 million total pixels. 5. Confirm your submission by clicking the "add this item" button at the bottom of the page. 6. Repeat the above steps for each work you would like to submit. The "reference" page on the site has a very good link for optimal photography of your work. The program "IrfanView", available from http://www.irfanview.com is a wonderful utility for image editing. Unless advised otherwise, we'll presume you feel the resolution and color fidelity of your digital image accurately reflect the actual item being sold. Poorly rendered image submissions may prevent display of submitted items.

To sell original prints, choose the appropriate option at the bottom of your "my profile" page. We recommend limited print runs (< 100 exemplars), numbered and signed by the artist, with full detailing of the paper and print process used. You may activate this option toward the bottom of every item description form ("print available"). If you have selected onsite checkout (commission fee charged) you will need to provide us with digital files having a resolution of 300 DPI to allow Matchup to fullfill the order; send each file to "info@matchup.com". If you have selected offsite checkout (no commission fee), we will notify you of the order, which then is your responsibility to fill.

Once you have registered and selected your basic subscription plan, you will use "My Account" to choose information you wish available to the public, including text/images/graphics which will appear on your "My MainGallery welcome" page. You will also be able to add artisans and their images to your gallery by using the links on the "my subscriptions" page. After you have completed the information on your artisans, they will appear listed by name or "AKA" on your MainGallery page along with a sample display of 3 of their works. Clicking their name will take the viewer to the artisan's gallery which shows their complete item listings as well as any biographical, or professional information or statement you have chosen to display.

The Matchup Prize for fine art and crafts is $500 awarded in a juried competition. There is NO ENTRY FEE and the contest is open to work in all categories listed on the site. TO ENTER: "sign up" via the button at the top of this page (or the home page ) and select a subscription plan. To incur NO subscription (or other) fees, select "three for free" as your plan and "off site" checkout for any sales. After receiving an email confirmation, submit your items (see FAQ: "How does it work?"). All submissions must be available for sale by Matchup (a non-exclusive agreement allowing sale of the work elsewhere with no penalty and no cost to you). Submissions sold (through Matchup or elsewhere) prior to end of the contest remain eligible for awards. All items accepted for display are automatically entered in the contest. Finalists for the Matchup Prize may be asked to send 35mm slides for verification. CURRENT DEADLINE: December 15, 2009. Decision of the judges is final. Employees of Matchup or their family members are not eligible.

When you sign up, and before committing to any payments you will choose one of the Subscription Plan options. These run from "three for free" to a declining per-image rate for hundreds of items. The terms run from six to 12 months. If you choose "onsite checkout" for your sales, we will charge a commission fee which is detailed in your subscription plan. If you choose "offsite checkout" for your sales, there is NO commission fee. We are a non-exclusive broker, meaning you are free to sell your items elsewhere with no commissions due to Matchup. If, for any reason, your items are no longer available, please go to your account and access the particular item listing form. By changing the "quantity available" to "0", the item will no longer be available for purchase, but it will remain viewable, providing you with a (free) registry service. The item will also remain eligible for the Matchup Prize.

Sellers may specify a nonrefundable approval fee, variable up to 20% of the item price, before shipping their items. If the item is returned by the buyer, this fee is credited to the seller and no commission is charged. This is the equivalent of a retail restocking fee, and helps the seller cover the (sometimes very substantial) costs of packing and handling not included in the shipping/insurance fees charged to the buyer. It may be especially pertinent for large, heavy or bulky items. After the item return period has expired, this fee is credited in full to the buyer against their purchase.

Matchup employs a fairly intense security routine to verify all payments received. This allows us to guarantee funds due to the seller (selling price + shipping + handling + approval fees - commission if using onsite checkout) even if the payment later proves to be bogus. The seller using onsite checkout is advised by Matchup to ship their items to the buyer only after the payment verification routine is complete. Funds due to the seller are released to them after the warrantee/return period has expired without any claims made by the buyer.

No. Slide submission is not required except for Matchup Prize finalists. All items on Matchup gallery are allowed display on the basis of 1) the item itself, and 2) the uploaded digital image of the item. Image size must be at least 640x480 pixels, and no larger than 2 million total pixels. Selection of finalists for the Matchup Prize depends on a review of submitted slides. For a good set of hints on successful photography of your work, please see our resource page. IrfanView.com provides a wonderful image-editing utility. Please crop your images appropriately. Poorly rendered images may prevent display of your item.

You set your own item prices. We are available to assist in this matter on request. If your items are available for sale in another venue (online or bricks-and-mortar) please do not set your listed price on Matchup at a higher level. If this problem is identified we reserve the right to set your listed price appropriately lower.

No. All works are judged on their own merits (content, design and work quality). Objectionable items may not be listed, at the discretion of Matchup.

If your image was not received, we will so notify you and ask you to send it again. If all your images have been received, but, for any reason, Matchup does not present an image for public viewing, you have a choice: 1) accept your listing as displayed, in which case Matchup will send you a pro-rata refund on your subscription for the number of images not presented. Or 2) Cancel your subscription, in which case Matchup will send you a refund (full or partial depending on time elapsed and number of items displayed).

No. The minimum duration of your listing is strictly at your discretion. The maximum duration depends on your subscription plan and any renewals. You may delist any item at any time. Current paid subscription plans provide for display of your works for at least 6 months.

No. All listings with Matchup are strictly open (non-exclusive). You are free to sell your items privately or via any other arrangement you choose. Your obligation in this instance is to access the item listing via your account and change the "quantity available" to "0", so the item will be indicated as sold (while still retaining its image for public viewing, registry purposes, and eligibility for the Matchup Prize).

Basic recommendations: Maximum number of prints 100 or less. No minimums. Designation of media is highly advised. Please label all photo work with the run total and the sequence number of the particular print, (e.g. "3/25"). The artisans signature on the work is highly recommended. Submission of original prints (separate from any series run) is encouraged. Please designate ownership of any original negatives not offered for sale.

Package your items securely. Ship them out quickly. Insure them adequately. Honor the warrantees for your buyers. Keep up the good work.

You pay any and all packing, handling, shipping, and insurance payments related to your sale. Shipping,insurance, and other approved charges are added to the buyers invoice and credited to your account in addition to the net proceeds (price minus commission for onsite checkout) from the sale of your items. We make every effort to assist you in making this an efficient and economical process. Any of these costs added to the buyers invoice are credited to you and not used in the calculation of commissions (onsite checkout). The buyer is responsible for paying all costs related to return of an item.

They become the property of Matchup for promotion of your work and the site. Please do not send irreplaceable originals, as they are nonreturnable. We respect and support all aspects of Copyright law. Sales of any product (e.g. prints) by Matchup based on any item you have submitted for evaluation or sale are initiated only after Matchup's receipt of express authorization and agreement from you, the author or author's agent of the work. You get paid for any Matchup sales directly related to any work you have listed with us.

All pages on the site are copyrighted. We believe in and support vigorous prosecution of intellectual property theft.

All display images are quality controlled for clarity and fidelity to your submitted image. We strive to maintain a high-speed and secure Internet connection, which, along with privacy guarantees and financial transaction security, make this site an enjoyable destination for buyers. We offer extensive customization options for your gallery and item displays. Advanced efforts to promote your items via search enginge optimization are a constant. Our fees are competitive and dependent on your success. We are dedicated to providing you and your customers with a compelling value. We are a hands-on organization that recognizes the extremely personal nature of the items offered for sale.

For your privacy and protection Matchup does not reveal unauthorized contact information to third parties. You may, by choice, disclose as much or as little contact information as you choose via your entries on the MainGallery welcome page, and on the MyArtisans/Individual galleries page.

Access the large item image by clicking the small thumbnail view. Click the "Buy now" button to the right of the large image. Proceed via the "checkout" button, which will provide payment options via PayPal, check, or money order. Alternatively, hit the "GoogleCheckout" button to use that payment option. Sellers may choose onsite or offsite payment routines. For onsite payment, the above rules apply. For offsite payment, the seller will inform you of, and make available to you, their checkout routine.

Currently, taxes are charged only on purchases having a billing address in the state of Texas.

Sellers may require a non-refundable approval fee, up to 20% of the item price. If the item is returned by the buyer, this fee is credited to the seller. This is the equivalent of a retail restocking fee, and helps the seller cover the (sometime substantial) costs of packing and handling not included in the shipping/insurance fees charged. For items purchased via the onsite payment system, after the item return warrantee period has expired, this fee is credited in full to the buyer against their purchase (before the transaction is completed).

GoogleCheckout, PayPal. Money order. Cashier's check. Personal check. For onsite checkout the item is shipped after all funds are cleared to Matchup. Funds not received within 7 days of the sale voids the transaction. For offsite checkout, the seller's policy applies.

For fine detail, brush strokes, surface textures and color nuances it is essentially impossible at present to assure a 100% correlation between certain works viewed live (in person), and the same work viewed on a computer screen. For this reason, certain sales may be conditional on the buyer's approval of a printed image. Sellers also may honor a buyer's request for an evaluation photo print. Upon receipt by Matchup (if onsite checkout is the seller's routine), or by the seller (if offsite checkout is the seller's routine), of a "hold" payment of 10% of the listed price, a color-corrected photograph will be sent to the buyer. Upon approval by the buyer, as confirmed by receipt of the balance due, the item will be shipped. Within 3 days, if the purchase is declined, or if payment of the balance due is not received, buyer's "hold" payment will be credited back to them via check, credit card refund, epayment or account credit. If buyer approves the photo and completes the purchase, their "hold" payment is credited against the selling price, and the standard warrantee period begins when the item is delivered. This printed image approval prior to completion of a sale is dependent on the mutual agreement of all parties (buyer, seller, and Matchup).

We use only highly secure transaction procedures for our online payment options.

No. You can reach us by telephone: 1 877 4MATCHUP.

We respect it. Unless specifically requested by Matchup registrants or required for their transactions with us, no personal information will ever be disclosed to commercial third parties.

For onsite checkout: 3 days, unconditional. No explanation required. Simply notify both Matchup and the seller within 3 days of receipt of the item and ship it back within 7 days of receipt of the item. For offsite checkout: the seller will detail their policy. Carefully inspect any package received. If you note any evidence of damage, please notify the shipping company, Matchup and the seller immediately. Insurance requirements vary according to the carrier. Some require the item be turned over to them for evaluation, others require it be returned to the sender. If your obligation is to return an item, please pack it securely, insure it adequately, and ship it back to the sender via a seller-approved carrier within 7 days of notifying both Matchup and the seller. You are responsible for all return packing, shipping and insurance charges unless otherwise authorized by Matchup and the seller. Upon receipt of the returned item in satisfactory condition your account will be credited for all approved expenses and a refund issued.

Matchup sellers request tracking for all shipments through the responsible carrier.

This is a buyer expense unless otherwise agreed to by all parties to a sale. On request, Matchup helps provide information to buyers and sellers to facilitate an efficient choice of transport and insurance. Shipping and insurance for returns are paid by the buyer. It is the seller's option to credit back any of these costs when the item has been received back at its point of origin in satisfactory condition. Additional shipping/crating fees may be added for items that are particularly bulky, irregularly shaped, or very heavy.

Matchup is a broker of fine art and craft works. We display works in our online gallery and help coordinate packing and shipping arrangements when a sale is completed. Our selection criteria, ease of purchase, security, privacy guarantee and return privilege combine to make this a site we think you will enjoy.

No. For your privacy and protection Matchup does not reveal contact information which is not currently viewable on the site to third parties. We may, however, forward a contact information request from one member to another, to allow them to share such information as they choose. Upon sale of any item, contact information is provided to both parties.

-If the seller has chosen Offsite Checkout for item sales, verify any warrantee terms prior to making any payments. You have the right to make, and the seller has the obligation to accept, requests for approved third party escrow participation in the sale. -If the seller has chosen Onsite Checkout for your item sales, and automated shipping calculations are unavailable for your items, Matchup will contact the seller directly to facilitate the successful completion of the sale.

Hit the "Events" link on the menu bar at the top of the page. Fill in and submit the form. Easy.

Nothing. Matchup provides these free listings as a service to the community.

Any bona fide event Matchup considers related to the interests of its viewers. Commercial and nonprofit, community and educational events are all eligible for listing consideration.

Matchup offers a generous support program for charity events which feature original fine art and craft works for sale. If your organization is planning such an event we can add to your success. Contact us for details.

Go to our sponsor/advertiser signup page and send us the request form. Please use an email address different from one you may have used as a gallery owner. We'll get back to you quickly with a rate quote.