Bead Parties?

Larry.Linson wrote

on May 23, 2008 6:22 PM

Some beading colleagues and I are thinking about trying our own ("not sponsored by a company, like plasticware or clothing parties usually seem to be") bead party approach to selling.  We haven't gotten far enough to decide "only our own creations" or "also items purchased at wholesale". If any of you have tried this, we'd appreciate your words of wisdom.

 Larry L.

SquareEffects wrote

on May 23, 2008 6:52 PM

 I've wanted to do a 'bead party' for lack of a better term, but when I asked friends/family to put the idea out, the response they got most was "not really interested".  On the flip side however, an office I used to work at keeps asking me when I'm going to show up with my stuff for them to look at, so I guess it depends on your audience.  I think mostly people don't want to be inconvenienced when buying anything, so if you can bring it to them, you'd get a much larger turn out.

Loufy5 wrote

on May 23, 2008 7:21 PM

I have not done a jewelry part yet, but may try one this season to see how it goes.

It couldn't hurt to try one party.  See how it goes.  You never know until you try.  Do it with just your products and if it works out, then I would add other product.  Ask people at the party what their opinions are about product and what they would like to see available.

TheresaD@20 wrote

on May 24, 2008 12:04 AM

 I have a customer who reports doing great business by tagging along with her friend who sells linen at parties. Have you thought of starting out by tagging along with a complimentary seller?

KandiceS wrote

on May 24, 2008 9:00 AM

I did a jewelry party kind of thing several times with my mom's Bunco group during their games.  It actually went really well.  They were in a festive mood already, with the party/game atmosphere. I sold quite a few simple pieces - mostly earrings.  And it was a lot of fun!

Terrymill wrote

on May 24, 2008 1:55 PM

 I am just starting in the jewelry business and building up my portfolio with pieces but I do have a few ideas once I get there with my jewelry inventory.  I plan on my first jewelry party for friends and family and I believe that if I put the party together and offer food and drinks that people will generally come just for that and if they happen to see some nice jewelry to buy then that is great for my business.  My plan is to offer a range of smaller items (affordable earrings) to some nicer bolder pieces....that way if someone feels like they don't want to walk away empty handed they can buy something without breaking the bank. 

I plan also to not just sell jewelry but also to sell other jewelry items to get people interested in my products such as jewelry cleaner, polishing cloths, earring backs (nuts or stoppers), etc.  I also plan to have prizes and freebies and plenty of business cards, etc.  I have been to enough tupperware, avon, and partylite parties to see what works and what doesn't.  I would not engage in high pressure sales tactics but if you offer a range at different prices, the jewelry speaks for itself.  You can also use the party as a way to get feedback on what people like and what they don't.

CateJ wrote

on May 27, 2008 12:59 PM

Hi Larry,

I must admit that the vast majority of our business here in England has been done via beading parties.  We tend to provide a bottle of wine to the hostes as a thank you for hosting the party and it seems to go down a treat!  We try and do one every other month (as it can take that long to get orders out!) and generally make about £100-£300 a go (also giving the hostess a 20% discount on any item of jewellery). 

We find that items sell better when they're our own creations - people want to hear how it's made rather than hearing that we bought from some wholesaler or other, it seems to help people buy when they know that each bead is stitched by hand, by the person standing right in front of you and you can talk about how a piece came to be.

If you do decide to start doing jewellery parties then I have a couple of tips:

• I would advise stringing about 10-20cm of each colour seed bead that you can make pieces in and having a tag to remind you which colour it is that the client chooses because there's nothig worse than making up an order and then finding that you've used the wrong shade!

• Take photos of absolutely everything you make and LAMINATE the photos and put them all together in a folder (laminating stops wine spills and grubby fingers spoiling the photos!) so that if you don't have something on show, people can always order another piece.

• Have a leaflet to put in with any items of jewellery puchased that says that they will get 20% (or some such) and a free bottle of wine (or something similar!) is they decide to host a jewellery part as well - it's always great to generate new business!!!

Hope you have some fun!

Cate

Heron Moon Designworks wrote

on Jun 6, 2008 1:18 PM

From what I've read online, this is one of the favorite and often most successful ways to sell your work--if you have a list of people who are, or are likely to be, interested.

My sister-in-law is planning a party for me, and I do expect to do well.

I had an impromptu party last summer, when several female friends were here for a few days' vacation.  They asked to see my jewelry, and I went ahead and set up my tables, as if for a show.  They went nuts!  For the next three days, between the swimming and the gab sessions, they returned, over and over again, to the display, almost like magpies in their inability stay away from the shiny things.  Granted, I had a captive audience, but everyone bought more than one item, and took home cards to share.  I did well, and continue to have repeat customers from that experience.

Definitely have a party.  Invite your neighbors, women from any social groups or church groups you know, friends, folks from work (if appropriate), etc.  Serve wine and cheese (alcohol, if your friends indulge, is always a nice lubricant and helps people relax and loosens up their purse-strings a bit) or just light snacks, and be prepared to talk about your work a little bit.  Perhaps even set up a game or two, if possible around the jewelry.  And be sure to have a raffle or door prize, so that everyone has a shot at taking home something.  Even better, make tiny, inexpensive gifts they can take away--simple earrings, perhaps, or a cell phone charm or dangle for their keychains.

I predict you'll do well!

Terri, Heron Moon Designworks

http://heronmoon.etsy.com

Moonshadow@2 wrote

on Jun 7, 2008 11:26 PM

Hi Larry

I've always wanted to do bead parties, and last summer I wrote to a company about it, but because I live in Canada they told me theres to much red tape.
There are many whole sellers here ( I live in Ontario) I viset one in Ottawa, to me the idea is simple, It would work much like other home parties, simple little pic & bag patterns with low cost pieces to put togher, like acrlic, wood, with step by step instructions on how to put them togher, of course for other things like tools and more costly pieces there would have to be a small magizine with pics and prices, and through out all of it we the bead hostess would have to show bead techniques including weaveing if nessary, oh and make a profit while doing all of this.. lots to think about for sure*  LOL, I have also put alot of thought in to bead parties too**
Moon Sadow*

JodiB@7 wrote

on Jan 10, 2009 8:48 AM

We own a small bead store but we also make our own jewlelry and do in home parties. I would suggest giving your potential customers some incentives for having a party and also make it fun not just a sales pitch. We offer $ 50 dollars in free jewelry and also offer a 10 % off the hostesses purchase. We also offer an incentive for sales such as if there are sales over $300 the hostess gets an additonal 10% off her order and for every person that signs up for a party she gets an additional 10% off up to a maximum of 30%. So there for she gets $50 free plus up to 40% off her purchase. These are just some suggestions.

www.nydreambeads.com

CareensCreations wrote

on Jan 14, 2009 3:14 PM

I have not provided nor attended a bead party, however, I have been a member of an Online Party, for selling my merchandise.

They are a lot of fun (almost like a Tupperware Party but from the comfort of your own home - for everyone) and yes, there typically are a lot of sales.

I offer the ability to do online parties, through my site.  They are very reasonable ($1) per half an hour, I will produce a very nice invitation, for you to send to anyone (and I blast it in groups and to my friends as well) and monitor the party for you.

Careen