Beading Business

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

jeannie1106 — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:34:41 GMT

As a complete newbie, I am finding this thread extremely valuable and would like to thank all of the contributors. I'm learning so much from you already!

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

CrystalCubeBead — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:45:19 GMT

KristieJ3:
In Sept. I will be doing my 1st outdoor festival in the town I live in, the booth fee is $60 and my pace in 10x10.
I have no idea if that's a good deal or not! Guess I'll just have to find out if anything sells!!

That IS probably a fair price.

KristieJ3:
Is it worth investing in one of those pop up tents?

If you can, rent one first. If you like it, AND if you like the work, go ahead and buy one.

KristieJ3:
And are my prices way too low?? I've seen the prices you all have listed in the thread and it makes me think that I'm really, really underselling!!

YES!!!! WAY, WAY too low!!

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

KristieJ3 — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:52:51 GMT

Thanks Jeni!

Yeah I was a little worried about the weather, I live in Indiana and it changes every other min. and it does seem like a pretty good investment as well...

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

JSmaz — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:48:30 GMT

If you're selling things for at or less than the cost of the materials alone then you're definitely under pricing. Alas, people are almost never going to give you what your jewelry is worth at a garage sale-people go looking for a bargain and aren't usually prepared to buy at a premium. If you're going to sell things you should make it worth your while-you don't want to put all that effort into it to lose money.

An EZ Up is definitely worth the money especially if you're going to continue doing shows. For your first one you might try renting or borrowing one if you can, unless you think you'd use the tent for other things as well in which case just buy one. You never know what the weather is going to do, and if everyone else has one you may look out of place without it (been there, done that).

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

KristieJ3 — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:20:56 GMT

I love this thread, it's got so much advice and that is exactly what I need right now, lol.

I've sold my jewelry at 3 garage sells, the first one bombed pretty badly, so for the 2nd 2 I lowered prices, as in $3 earrings, $4 bracelets & $5 necklaces, everything sold though!
I've also taken some into work where they sold at slightly better prices, lol.

I use swarvoski crystal in almost everything I make though, and other high quality materials as well so selling at those sort of prices I will never really earn a profit. I love playing with beads though and creating new things so it really is just a hobby for me.

In Sept. I will be doing my 1st outdoor festival in the town I live in, the booth fee is $60 and my pace in 10x10.
I have no idea if that's a good deal or not! Guess I'll just have to find out if anything sells!!

Does anyone have any tips? Is it worth investing in one of those pop up tents? And are my prices way too low?? I've seen the prices you all have listed in the thread and it makes me think that I'm really, really underselling!!

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

SCB1 — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:46:08 GMT

brightcircle:
After my last disastrous show, I realized I hated shows and I never want to do another one again. I MAY do home parties; that at least doesn't cost money upfront.

And at home shows there is no compitition either. You are the only show there, so if the guess came to buy jewelry it will be from you. You can find a hostess to throw the party in return for a nice hostess gift of a % off her own purchase. It is a nice way to go. As some of your supporters ( a good customer or a relative) to throw your first party for you. Book more parties from her guest, if your product is good, your prices are fair and you make sure everyone knows of the nice hostess gift you supply with a given party, it should all snowball from there.

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

brightcircle — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:06:48 GMT

Delia, I don't really know what they'd call themselves. All but one of them was free admission, indoor and outdoor was about half and half, one or two were juried. I'm pretty sure that none of them allowed buy/sell vendors, but not all of them enforced it (oddly enough, the show I did the best at, which was still not very good).

For religious reasons, I can not do shows that go over a Sunday, and no, I don't have any friends who could booth-sit for me on a second day. I know of only ONE juried show that does not go over a Sunday. I read that taking credit cards is supposed to boost your sales by at least 15%, and 30% for most people. Me? Just $6.

yes, I'm bitter. :) So much time, effort and money totally wasted. I hate shows with a passion. I never want to do a single one again. Of course, that's what I swore after every single show (a bad sign, I think) but this time, I think it's it.

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

JSmaz — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:27:37 GMT

That's actually not a bad idea Delia. I'd be interested.

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

Delia Stone — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:27:15 GMT

Nemeton:

It does all take time but if you stick at it and keep chipping away, keep doing some little thing every single day to move your beading and your business forward, eventually all those little things will have an effect and move you towards where you were going!

I am in another forum that has a thread that I am participating in called the 'July (or insert month) Item per day" thread. The idea is for each participant to journal at least one thing each day that they have done towards buidling/maintaining their jewlery business. It helps us to stay focused and (gently) holds us accountable knowing that others are watching to see what you're doing each day. It has been a good exercise for me ... one thing I learned in tracking my jewelry related activities is that I'm doing more on a daily basis than I thought I was - which is good!

Not only do you get to see what YOU'RE doing, but seeing what others are doing gives you some perspective on what you're NOT doing that is crucial to advancing your business and what you need to be doing - which is very valuable information.

Maybe it would be a good idea to start a thread like that here .... if anyone is interested?

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

Delia Stone — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:20:28 GMT

Oh yes, and by far earrings are my biggest sellers! I have them from the low end ($15) up to the high end ($139) but the midrange ($35 to $65) sell the best. I did a show up in Alabama in the spring where I nearly sold out of earrings the first day! And I had about 45 pair on the table. They never even looked at the $15 earrings - they went for the good stuff. I ended up staying up until 2 a.m. in the hotel that night making more earrings for the next day!

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

Delia Stone — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:15:52 GMT

brightcircle:

I'm glad shows have worked so well for you, Delia.

All I can do is share my experience. I've done at least 6 shows from various promoters, and at not a single one of them did I make much more than what I paid for the booth fee alone ... I kept trying and kept trying, hoping that the next show would be better.

After my last disastrous show, I realized I hated shows and I never want to do another one again. I MAY do home parties; that at least doesn't cost money upfront.

Wow, that really sucks. The first thing I would think you need to do is evaluate the type of shows you are applying to. Are they juried? Do they limit the number of exhibitors in each category so that it's not 60% jewlery? Are they established - more than 5 years consecutive? How are they promoted? Are they indoor or outdoors? Are they smaller craft shows, or arts and craft shows? Do they allow buy/sell vendors or do they require (and ENFORCE) handmade only? These are all important factors in choosing a show. Also if the main attraction is a car show or kiddie carnival and the vendors are a side attraction, forget it!

The shows I do are generally outdoors. Very rarely do I do a show indoors. This might make the difference? The only indoor shows that I have done indoors were not big profit makers. I think the last one I did was in the neighborhood of $200 - before expenses. I really haven't much messed with indoor shows since then. I prefer outdoor shows and do them as much as possible. That's where the money is at for me but the difference could have to do with the type of shows and the market where you're at vs where I'm at. Where are you at, btw? What area of the country?

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

brightcircle — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:58:58 GMT

I'm glad shows have worked so well for you, Delia.

All I can do is share my experience. I've done at least 6 shows from various promoters, and at not a single one of them did I make much more than what I paid for the booth fee alone, never mind my time, displays, gas, tables etc. At least half of them saw me leaving at the end of the day having made FAR LESS money than I paid for the booth. And this was after lots of research as to how best to do a show. Even though I would have a big stress meltdown before every show, I kept trying and kept trying, hoping that the next show would be better. Even taking credit cards, it never did. I made exactly ONE credit card sale--for $6.

After my last disastrous show, I realized I hated shows and I never want to do another one again. I MAY do home parties; that at least doesn't cost money upfront.

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

Delia Stone — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:51:19 GMT

TessM@7:

Hi All -- such interesting info, thanks for sharing! I've noticed that quite a few of the forum "regulars" have online shops like Etsy & Artfire, etc. I've been selling only locally through a consignment shop with 3 locations - but toying with the idea of setting up for online sales. Do you find that you sell more online vs. local shows or shops?

~ Tess ~

Tess,
This is a good question. I have multiple shops on the internet; My own website DeliaStone.com, a web shop on Etsy and Bonanzle as well as a couple of other sites where I consign tutorials. I also have multiple blogs (not very well maintained) and articles on info sites etc that point back to me which gives me pretty decent web exposure. I sell more tutorials online than anything else. Ironically I find that my number one market online - not really by design - is other jewlery makers. Seriously.

I also do shows in the southeast within about a 3 hour radius of my home. Spring and Fall are great for me but in the Summer it's just too hot and humid in Florida for people want to spend too much time outdoors that doesn't include a beach or pool so there are no shows to speak of. However, my sales at shows account for about 85% of my annual jewelry income. I sell FAR more jewlery at shows. I recommend this avenue to anyone who is serious about creating and selling jewelry. It requires a small up front investment but it pays off. If you take this route, accepting credit cards is a MUST. The small business crafer can get a credit card service for about $60 a year through propay.

Your first show may or may not be a sucess but if you keep at it you will be glad you did. Start at smaller, indoor shows if possible. And remember that a show is not just an opportunity to sell, it's an opportunity to *learn*. Pay attention to other booths, their set ups, their displays. Talk to other vendors about other shows, etc. Many are happy to share information. You'll get valuable feedback from your customers. You'll also get valuable experience that you can apply toward your sucess in the future too.

Selling at show has, for me at least, been the best way to sell my goods.

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

Sagewolf — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:50:13 GMT

Vanbeads-

How did you make your display boards? I can see how ordering premade ones would get expensive in a hurry.

Re: What's been your success w/ jewelry selling?

SusanLesar — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:38:22 GMT

My biggest seller this year has been Angel pins i make and sell for $15.00 each. I have tried ebay and ETSY but got the best results by joining a neighborhood Art Gallery, most galleries have gift shops. In fact I am going to join a couple more.

Susan