I discovered Listia.com* back in March. and I love this site. Basically it’s an auction site where you can list things you don’t want anymore for “sale” but instead of money you get credits. You can then use your credits to bid on other things. I have mostly used to it to purge my closets and drawers, and I have also put up a few paintings I made several years ago to clear out my stock. Recently, however, I made an auction for a custom surprise painting, and finished the first once tonight. I just worked on it in between waiting for coats to dry on the other paintings I’m working on currently. This one is 4″ by 6″ and it probably only took an hour to an hour and a half total to finish it. (Maybe I shouldn’t admit how fast I get these things done… hmm.)
I choose what to paint based on the winners answers to several questions, such as their favorite color, and favorite genre of movie. I use their answers to get sort of a sense of their personality and what they might like. The final size of the painting is based on the final bid amount. The higher the bid, the larger the painting. I have a new auction up now for another one because it was just too much fun making this and can’t wait to do it again. I am so in love with how this one turned out. I might have to sell it as a postcard at some point in the future. It’s pretty darn adorable.
I’ve gotten some great things from Listia since I joined, and mostly for stuff that likely wouldn’t have gotten a minimum bid on ebay (like some handmade hats I crocheted, old costume jewelry, and an envelope of vintage magazine clippings). Everything from coupons for free Cokes to gently used clothing, and even a brand new pair of Crocs flats for work (way better than spending 50$ buying them online!) You can choose to pay for shipping or have the buyer pay, but you tend to get higher bids if you offer free shipping so it pretty much evens out. It’s a great way to stretch a dollar and get stuff you need for stuff you don’t. There are also many other people using it as a vehicle to barter handmade goods for other items, including a few other artists.
*In the interest of full disclosure, if you sign up for Listia through this link and list an auction I will receive some credits per their referral program. You will also get 500 free credits for signing up, and you can use them to … cough, cough… bid on a surprise painting. 
If you want.
