My recent series on finances has brought up the question: “What software do you recommend for keeping track of my art work and having the correct information for tax purposes?”
What you need are two different pieces of software: one for your inventory and mailing list database and another for your financial records.
Based on feedback I receive from artists, I speculate that these are the top three inventory-mailing list databases. They will keep track of your inventory, sales, and contacts.
Both Flick! and eArtist are formatted for artist use. Bento is like “FileMaker Light” and requires formatting, but I’m told it’s quite user-friendly. There are other options, but I narrowed down your choices based on what I’m hearing in the field.
7/6/09 Update per Ron’s comment. I should have been more specific in the above paragraph. Bento is not an art management platform, but a general database. Therefore, it requires significant formatting–unlike the others here. Because of this, you can use it for all of your database needs-not just for your art inventory or contacts. Also, because of this, you can personalize it and make it look however you like.
See these related posts:
As I say in I’d Rather Be in the Studio! “Most of these options can handle every aspect of your art business except the detailed financial reports that a program like QuickBooks can provide.” (page 17)
So, for financial records, I recommend QuickBooks, although many people are very happy with Quicken. If you have a bookkeeper or accountant, I’d certainly ask them for their advice in this area before you purchase bookkeeping software. You want to be able to share files easily.
Send to Kindle
Susan: I hope you’re not referring to “my take” on Flick because I’ve never used it and don’t have a take on it. I just reported that it was a popular one. I’m sorry you are having difficulties. I know Arawak has been a one-man operation and that the software is very inexpensive. Still, it’s frustrating to encounter that.
[...] been a couple of years since I posted a list of software for storing your inventory and contact lists. Not a lot has changed, but it’s time to post an [...]
I agree, Quickbooks is usually the way to go, just like TurboTax is if you plan to do your own taxes
I am just starting out using BeadManagerPro. It is very nice and not limited to beads. I can put my paints purchases in there, for example, just it was created for bead workers.
I want to try other platforms for contact list management but can only budget Flick at the moment. That said, and having read other people’s posts about it, I am going to test out the trial version and if I like it get the full version as it seems the programmer is fairly responsive as a one person side-line software creator can be.
thoughts on freshbook? this was the program that was recommended to me by two different artitsts
[...] of the business cards and scraps of paper with people’s information on them and add them to your contacts database. Then throw out or recycle the cards and paper. You no longer need [...]
[...] Record-keeping, setting prices, dealing with galleries, and liability insurance are examples of the kinds of issues that can be addressed by guild members that come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. [...]
Dear Alyson and readers,
A group of artist and I recently formed a Cooperative and opened a Gallery. I am seeking additional comments and suggestions about software we can use to manage the Gallery. GYST and eArtist appear to be the top two because of our limited budget.
I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Kenneth Bitz
[...] Business: bookkeeping [...]
[...] Bookkeeping and inventory software « Art Biz Blog [...]