Beading Business

I've been accepted to my SECOND juried show!

Sherri S. — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:55:05 GMT

Hi everyone!

Well, I'm excited to say that this week I was invited back to sell my jewelry at a juried show in Steamboat Springs, CO again this December! I got the invitation and application on Monday via email. I filled it out, sent it in with a picture of an example of my jewelry and a check for the booth rental. I got the confirmation email yesterday that they accepted my application and I will be selling there again this year! Yippee!

I just hope there won't be a blizzard anytime near the date - I might have to cancel and won't be able to get my expensive booth rental back!

This time, my helper and I will share a hotel room after the show so that I don't have to drive over Rabbit Ears Pass in the dark. It may be snowing that evening for all I know! And this will allow us to have a nice dinner in a semi-fancy restaurant and I'll be able to enjoy some wine. Living in a tiny cowboy town of 1500 people, I rarely get a chance to eat at a place like that, and Steamboat Springs (a ski resort town) has boatloads of those types of restaurants, and people who live there make plenty of money.

I am also excited because since I sent my application in immediately, I know I will get a better booth than I did last year. It is first-come first-served with booth assignments, and last year I was a last-minute addition so I got one of the worst booth spots.

I am really hoping that the people who bought from me last year will search me out this year. And if that famous guy from last year wants to buy from me again and take the jewelry with him and send me a check later, I will let him.

Another reason for me to be excited is I have planned improvements to my booth. No one even glanced at my bracelets, which were all jumbled up on a triple-bar bracelet display, so I have to do that differently. I got more necklace busts and I plan to display all jewelry sets together to increase the chances of multiple sales to one person. That was my big mistake last year - not displaying sets together. We live and learn!

And unfortunately, I know I will lose some sales due to the fact that I can't take credit cards - except through PayPal. No one took advantage of that last year - I think they wanted instant gratification by being able to take it home that day. I know that I lost some sales last year just because I didn't take CC's, but I don't do enough business to justify the expense, which is big when you are starting out because it is best to buy the equipment rather than rent it.

Anyhow, just wanted to share my excitement! Now I am trying to make at least one piece of jewelry a day, or 7 pieces a week, from now until December 5. It will be a fun time!

photos! how do you get good pictures?

snowbound — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:33:13 GMT

I am trying all different settings on my digi camera, various lighting ideas and backgrounds, and I can't seem to get decent quality photos! Things are always washed out or too dark. Especially pearls...instead of the luster I get these little moony orbs, I realize that has something to do with the way the flash is hitting, but has anyone got a few tips? I'm going nuts!

Valarie

First Craft Sale

Briggs — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:22:35 GMT

I'm very excited! My friend just got a call from a community club craft sale... they had someone drop out last minute so now we get their table!! I only have a week to make stuff which makes me very nervous considering I do mostly beadweaving!! I may have some questions for some of you guys since I've never done this before and am on a tight schedule! I don't know how good this show's going to be, but I plan on making things that I was going to give as gifts for Christmas, so at least if things don't sell I have my Christmas gifts finished!!! So much to do, so little time AAARGH!!

~Briggs

Seeking feedback on new website

Anna @ bblb — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:28:06 GMT

Hello all... we are one week into the launch of our new website and we are eager to benefit from the experience of regular on-line bead purchasers.

We think we have brought a new contemporary slant to on-line bead shopping with some useful tools and a visually clean and clear approach - but that said we are really keen to hear what you think. There are a few holes in our offerings as the photography catches up with the product entries (!) but this aside we are looking for your thoughts about the look and feel of the site, the level of information entered, and the usefulness of the tools we have provided.

So if you can spare the time your constructive feedback will definitely be used to improve our site and ultimately your shopping experience!

Please drop by www.bigbeadlittlebead.com when you get the chance, send us a private message or add a post to this topic.

Thanks in advance,

Anna

New and easy jewelry idea to sell!

Sherri S. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:39:15 GMT

I was in our local gift shop yesterday, and while the owner was on the phone, I noticed she had these beaded things hanging on a display. I am very certain that they were meant to hang on a car's rear view mirror. I thought to myself, I could very easily make something like that! Although since I use mostly sterling silver, I had better start shopping for chain that doesn't tarnish. I suppose brass would work, because although brass tarnishes, no one polishes brass! Maybe copper would work as well.

The ones I saw were pretty cool and looked like they'd be easy to make. They consisted of chain and a few glass beads, with a large bead at the bottom in a star shape. Think of the possibilities! Crosses, animals, an art deco shape, you name it! On the end opposite the large bead at the bottom, it had a lobster clasp to make it easy to wrap around and attach it to a rear view mirror. I think something like this would be a good seller!

Has anyone else made something like this for sale? If so, did they sell well?

I guess I'd better get busy and make some for the December show!

Jewelry Off to a New Show - UPDATE

SEllen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:56:19 GMT

So, I've just spent the last 24 hours getting all the last minute details done and packed up all my jewelry to send it on its way to a new show. It's a small town show but suppose to be a good one and these days we need all the good ones we can get.

I'm using some new displays and have included some woven pieces in my jewelry. I'm anxcious(?) to see what kind of response if any these have on our showing. I'm sure I'll be on the phone checking on the shows traffic and trying get any feedback I can before the show is even over. I get antsy. It's hard for me not to be there I miss that part of the process.

Wish us luck and I hope all of you have a Great weekend.

sellen

PayPal merchant account for credit card acceptance

Lisa — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:06:27 GMT

Most of my local customers in my little jewelry and bead shop plan to pay for their purchases with a cash or check -- that's still the standard here. But visitors out here, who often want to bring home souvenirs, often ask me if I accept credit cards. I'm not currently set up to do so and have been researching various companies off and on.

Today I stumbled across PayPal's merchant account for processing credit card transactions. Does anyone have any experience with this? I haven't dug deeply into the details yet, but found so far the PayPal has a "virtual terminal", where I could enter online the customer's name, credit card number, expiration date, 3-digit id number, and amount of the transaction. The sample screen on the PayPal website looks similar to what you see when you enter your payment info when shopping online. PayPal charges $30 per month for relatively low-volume accounts (under $3,000 per month), plus a per-transaction fee of 3.1% + $0.30. Like the other merchants I've come across, the percentage is lower for higher volume accounts.

I suppose I'd need to have a laptop with modem (which I don't currently own) set up in my shop -- otherwise, I wouldn't know if a transaction is authorized until I get home and log on to the internet. Some of the other companies' solutions I've researched, however, have this same weakness, although they have a swipe machine that at least gives the illusion of obtaining approval. Hopefully, most customers are aware of the status of their credit card accounts and wouldn't present a card that would be declined. But going the get-approval-tonight route carries that risk.

I also suppose there are gizmos that I could attach to my laptop that would allow me to swipe a customer's card instead of typing in the info.

Anyway, would appreciate your thoughts and experiences.

First show of 3 today

Billy Z — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:36:15 GMT

Wish us luck. Pam and I are off this morning to our first of 3 weekend shows at the market Commons in Myrtle Beach. They are having the Rocktoberfest celebration this weekend AND yesterday was the unofficial start of the Fall Bike Rally. There are all kinds of other things going on all weekend so I forsee us doing fairly well. One of us will post tonight after we get back home to let you all know how it goes. Off to put together some busywork now. See y'all tonight.

Billy ;o)

Ear Piercing Service

Lisa — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:28:12 GMT

I've been thinking about adding ear-piercing service to my little jewelry and bead shop. If I'm able to provide this service, it could be a huge source of profit. There's nowhere locally to get your ears pierced, except at the hospital (and they charge $60 just for the visit!). I'm not thinking of providing body piercing, ears only.

What are your thoughts? Do you know anything about the different piercing guns on the market? Should I go for one of the more expensive brand-name models, or will a cheap one do the job just as well (my suspicion is that like most things, you get what you pay for). Are there legal ramifications I need to consider beyond having customers sign a release form? Do I need to include ear care solution with every piercing? Should I avoid piercing the upper portion of the ear for any reason, or do you think I'm okay with piercing any part of the ear? Are surgical steel piercing studs the way I should go, or is there another material I should consider?

I'd appreciate your thoughts!

What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

peridot09 — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:29:21 GMT

What did you find to be the best way to sell your jewelry? I'm looking for those of you that don't own shops or have big biz...more hobby style jewelers. Also, reasonably priced items too (say <$50). What items have you sold the most of...bracelets, necklaces, rings? Other?

hang tags/earring cards

DebbieR — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:35:11 GMT

Right now I'm in need of hang tags and earring cards. Would like to make my own, however, I'm running out of time. Any suggestions for designs ideas, software programs, what the jewelry hang tags should look like, how big, what should they say, where I could get them printed, websites, any help at all will be greatly appreciated.

I have a huge show coming up next month at the office. There are 3000 people at the company and more than half of those are women. I'm going to have some competition, but I'm confident enough in my prices and my designs that I feel I'm going to do well. I would like to finish off my pieces with the right type of tags.

Back from weekend show!

Mikki335 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:47:51 GMT

Tired, talked out and ready to sleep for a week!

Sales weren't bad...publicity was good! I may have two new teaching venues and a gallery. Also invited to a cancer fundraiser show next month...which I think I will do, five weeks before Christmas....might be decent and the booth fee is a donation to the cancer society...gotta love that. At the very least I'll donate something for their silent auction.

Lessons learned....

If it's an outdoor show it's much better on grass...easy to anchor the canopy so it doesn't blow away when the winds hit.

Set up jewelry on stands before getting to the event....BIG timesaver.

People love those little organza bags....no other bags needed.

Be ready to do alterations on length and sizing if possible.

Keep it simple.....don't pack the kitchen sink..and you'll be much more relaxed.

Selling Supplies, Need Opinion

popnicute — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:50:37 GMT

so you already know I'm thinking of expanding my business into selling supplies.

1. If i were selling bali silver beads, do you think it would be better if i focus on one or two kinds of findings?

maybe a supply store that focus on Earring Posts/Ear Wires, bead caps, charms, and toggle clasps. or a supply store that's focus on beads only.

2. or should i sell everything? from beads to findings?

3. which one you think would sell better? beads or findings?

any opinion?

Possible sales?

Sheila H — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:09:09 GMT

My son's girlfriend just called me. ( They have been going into this one shop a lot and have gotten to know the owner somewhat over the last couple of months ). This is a little knick knack type of shop where they are. This lady used to make her own jewelry to sell in her shop and can't anymore as she doesn't have time or energy. So my son's girlfiend mentioned that I make jewelry. This lady is interested in seeing some of my stuff! I am suppose to send my son/girlfriend a few pieces for her to look at. She is thinking that she will put them in her shop and if they sale, I can send more. She told my son's girlfriend she would split it 50/50 with me when sold. Girlfriend told me how much the bracelets usually sell for and the 50$ is what I charge at the craft shows. So it is doable on my end!

I know that most splits are 60/40 and I would prefer her to buy outright, but I think that this is at least an opportunity to get in the door. I can always try it once. What have I got to loose! LOL!

I told my son's girlfriend that I would put a listing in with the pieces so that she ( girlfriend ) knows exactly how much I want out of the pieces. I figure if it all goes well, I can schedule a trip down to work out specifics etc with the shop owner.

I know that I am taking a chance by not going myself, not having a specific contract, etc etc, but I am only sending 5 bracelets and 5 pairs of earrings. Maybe a necklace or two? Not that I want to loose these pieces, but this type of knick knack shop is the perfect match for my little stretch bracelets. Something that everyone can afford to pick up on vacation in a touristy town. So we are not talking high $ here. I figure it will be a couple of weeks before I will probably hear anything back by the time I mail it, they take it to her and gives it a chance to sell.

I will keep you all posted!

Thankyou!!!!!

Mikki335 — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:46:36 GMT

I am so excited that I was invited to Artbeads.com blogger program over the weekend. How smart of them to do this....give bead bloggers product to use in exchange for advertising.

I will say if it wasn't Artbeads I might not be so excited but I love them! I love the little purple packages. I'm honored that they like my work and want me to be a part of the program....and thanks to you guys for encouraging me to start the blog in the first place.

I can't wait to get my Swarovski package...I've already blogged with the required links...lol! So easy with such awesome products.

I'd like to open a bead shop

brightcircle — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:22:08 GMT

Lately I've been thinking more and more of having my own bead shop in VA. I know enough to understand I know nothing about running a shop! :) But they say anything is possible to a willing mind.

Has anyone owned a bead shop before? What can you tell me? Aside from 'do research' of course. I'm trying to research by posting, among other things.

Is anyone else looking to open a bead shop in VA?

Necklaces ordered for a wedding - ANOTHER UPDATE

Sherri S. — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:19:32 GMT

Hi everyone,

An exciting thing happened yesterday. The chief financial officer of the hospital where I work asked me if I would make 5 necklaces for the bridesmaids at her wedding in September, that she would give to all of them as a gift. She pointed me to the website where the dresses would be ordered and the color scheme, and asked me to see what I could do.

When I went to the site and saw the color, I thought of a perfect necklace idea - ivory pearls mixed with Indian Red Swarovski crystals.

Although I am excited about this project, I am having some reservations about it. This person who is asking me to do this, between you and me she is a bit of a flake. There were two things that happened in the past that make me feel this way - I'll try to make this short.

First, when I was selling retail jewelry out of my home back in '03, she wanted to buy something to wear at her wedding at THAT time (she's now divorced and marrying someone else). She made an appointment with me to come to my home (at that time, 3 blocks from the hospital where she works) to look at what I had available. I had everything I had displayed on my kitchen table. She no-showed.

Second, last fall when I was preparing for the Steamboat Springs show in December, I brought some items I made to work to show people here and she happened to walk in. She saw a necklace she liked and asked me to set it aside for her and she'd pay me for it. A week went by and no money - I asked her if she was still interested in it and she said she'd get me the money at the end of the week. Never happened. Weeks went by. After a meeting here at the hospital I asked her about it again - yes she wanted it and would pay by the following payday. I told her if she didn't buy it by a certain date that it would go with me to the show in Steamboat. She never paid me for it and that was the end of it.

So now, she wants me to make these five necklaces for her bridesmaids. My gut feeling is to ask her to pay 50% up front, and when they are all done the balance will be due.

What do you think of this idea? Any other suggestions?

Trunk Sale

Mikki335 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:41:24 GMT

What a crazy (crazy good) day!

At my student's request I loaded up my trunk with my patterns, kits and finished pieces but I had no idea what would happen. After class they met me at my car and one of my students spent $100 on kits.

Then as I was at Costco getting gas I saw someone I used to work with and waved. She yells across that she saw me in the paper and was going to call me. Of course everyone is now looking at me as she continues to ask me about the things in the article. When we finished filling up we parked up and chatted. She spotted the finger armor and freaked, wanted to know how much and what other goodies did I have to show her. So, she bought a bracelet and ordered a necklace and said she would be gathering up her beads and coming to class.

So....I'm seriously thinking about converting the trunk of my car into a jewelry store!

Please Vote! help me decide :)

popnicute — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:49:29 GMT

I'm planning to add more beads in my supply shop but i can't decide should i go with Sterling SIlver beads or genuine gemstone beads.

Help me see what the market needs most. Is it sterling Bali beads or gemstones. Not sure if i could accomodate both as my budget is still limited :)

Vote here: http://modpoll.com/view/agdwb2xsMmdvcgwLEgRQb2xsGOyiHgw

Thanks!! :D

HELP

APPLE — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:24:28 GMT

HI ID LIKE TO OPEN MY OWN ONLINE BEADING BIZZ

I ALREADY BUY ALOT OF MY STUFF IN BULK

I BUY ALOT OF PANDORA BEADS BRACELETS RINGS IN BULK

I HAVE OVER 2500 PANDORA BEADS CAN ANYONE HELP ME OR POINT ME IN THE RIGHT WAY

Gallery Commissions?????

Mikki335 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:08:13 GMT

Ok....so my friend and I stopped by a new gallery this morning and the owner was interested in my bead woven jewelry, she says they do a 60/40 artist/gallery commission. I was just wondering if this was the normal rate or a little high? I seem to think 70/30 is more common. Anyone know?

60/40 would mean the Olive Corsage would have to be priced at $415 for me to make what I need for it...I have it listed for $250 on Artfire.

I don't know whether I should just go for it and mark up my prices accordingly or shop around for a better split.

Helppppppppppp

Need a rough idea on lengths here for upcoming craft fairs.. & other questions (I'm a newbie to this)

KristaS — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:37:57 GMT

Hey guys..

I've been working on some bracelets and necklaces, earrings & what not for a string of upcoming craft shows I will be doing..

I'm curious what the average length of necklace, bracelet & anklet are... Not to mention what kind of supplies i should bring to the show.. What if someone wants it a bit bigger/smaller? Should I bring extra beads & what not.. What kind of tips do you suggest for selling?? how much of a barter should I be willing to do??

This is my first fair.. as the pow wow I was planning for in july... well.. lets just say I didn't end up going..

If anyone has any suggestions, or can point me to some threads to read through I'd be very grateful.. I was looking and found the "how to price" ones.. but that's only so much help.:)

Thanks,

Krista

Teaching Fees

Cathy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:24:10 GMT

I will be returning to teaching Peyote stitching workshops hopefully in the near future. It has been a couple of years due to illness since I have taught and was wanting feed back on what is a typical hourly fee at this time. Will any teachers out there please give me some guidelines as what is fair to charge?

Cathy

www.beadingwhimsy.com

We're getting a LBS!!!!!

Mikki335 — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:26:57 GMT

Yep...it's true! I was working the bead show yesterday when I met a lampworker who is opening a small bead store about 30 miles away. YAY!!!

Even better news is that she wants me to teach at her store and is interested in selling my bead kits. I have somewhere to teach bead weaving!!! I think by the end of the year I will be making a decent living (more than my last job) as a bead artist! Finally! It will have taken about about 18 months to achieve but I think that's pretty good.

I posted on my blog about the bead show if anyone's interested (TheBeadedCarpet.blogspot.com)

paypal question

mamamia — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:30:31 GMT

I have a blog that I have some pictures posted of some things I have made. I have had some people want to purchase a couple of pieces, I am wondering...is there some way I can put a link on the blog to my pay pal account so they could pay me without sending a check or a money order?? Is this something that is free? Thanks...I am a little computer-dense!!