How to Promote Your Website at Craft & Jewelry Shows

Wouldn't it be nice if all of your jewelry and craft show customers
visited your website to make a purchase after they returned home?
They might do just that if you know how to effectively market your
website to your physical customers. Here are some ideas:

1. Make sure a business card with your web address goes into the
bag of every person who purchases from you. This should be an
automatic routine for you.

2. Have a separate sheet printed up offering a discount for purchases
made through your website. Have a code on the sheet they can fill
in at the time of purchase on your website in order to automatically
receive the discount.

3. If the customer purchases a necklace from you, mention that you
have some earrings that would go nicely with the necklace on your
website. Give them a card with your web address.

4. Put up a sign in your booth that says, "We're open 24 hours a day
online at "insert web address."

5. Ask each customer if they'd like to be on your email list to receive
tips on how to care for and wear their jewelry as well as special offers.

6. Wear a button that says, "Visit us at "insert web address".

7. Run a contest for a free piece of jewelry. Have them sign up for a
chance to win on your website. This is also a great way to get
subscribers to y0ur email notifications.

8. Do you best to get a short and memorable domain name that
ends in dotcom. It's important that your web address be easy to
remember and catchy enough to stick in people's minds. If you're
looking for an excellent price on new domain names, take a look here.
I host all 105 (I'm embarrassed to admit) here. I'm a domain name
junkie. Well, they ARE a good investment. :-)

9. Have your web address stamped onto the front of the shopping
bags you give customers when they purchase.

10. Include your web address on your jewelry hang tags.

11. Let them know you have informative articles on how to care for
and clean their new purchase on your website.

12. Offer a free ebook they can download on your website with
suggestions on how to maximize their jewelry wardrobe with hints
on ways to wear your necklaces and what to wear them with etc.
Customers love free things!

From my own experience, I've found #12 to be particularly effective.
Give some of these suggestions a try! I think you'll be pleased with
the results. If you have any ideas to add, feel free to do so in the
comment section. It would be fun to hear what's worked for you.

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? I know how
tough it can be to get traffic to an independent web page. Plus,
it steals all your time away from making more handmade jewelry.
Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a
14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had
several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the
free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com/.

Thanks again for reading,
Kristie

Can Packaging Increase the Sales of Your Handmade Jewelry?

How you package your handmade jewelry at the time the customer purchases can have a big impact on the customer impression of your business and may influence whether or not they choose to purchase from you again. Many of your customers are giving your handmade jewelry pieces as gifts and expect to have it presented in a suitable manner. Plus, a customer subconsciously forms an impression regarding the value of your pieces based on how you handle them and what you package them in. This is something to be aware of when you wrap purchases at shows and home parties.

Men who are purchasing jewelry for their wives or significant other are particularly likely to expect presentation packaging and are not likely to purchase if you send your item out in a plastic bag. They simply don't want to go through the additional hassle of finding an appropriate box and having the item gift wrapped.

Plus, jewelry has a very strong emotional appeal and the packaging can in many cases make or break that appeal. How would you feel about purchasing a beautiful piece of handmade jewelry and having it carelessly thrown into a plastic zip lock bag?

Packaging also give you an additional opportunity to market and brand your jewelry line. You can strategically place your name and logo on the jewelry packaging as well as on the outside bag that the customer carries around with her as she walks through the show. This is a moving billboard for your business!

So, how can you go about packaging your jewelry at craft shows and home parties without breaking the bank? You shouldn have to spend a fortune to make a impression with your packaging.

One simple and effective presentation is to purchase nice quality boxes of the appropriate size and have a customer sticker printed up with your business name, web address, email address, phone number, as well as your logo. The sticker can be attached to the top of the box and placed in the bag along with any other promotional material you may have for your customer. I use this simple form of packaging when I go to shows and I have had many people contact me later to purchase an item because they still have that box with the sticker containing my contact information.

I would also recommend having a high quality bag printed up with the name of your jewelry business and logo. This is not as costly as you might imagine particularly if you order in quantity. You can get a variety of types of bags including paper merchandise bags and paper, foil, or plastic totes.

I personally use and recommend the tote bags as they are sturdy and can stand alone on a counter without support. Every customer who leaves your booth with one of those bags will be indirectly advertising for you. If the bag is particularly pretty, other show attendees will ask where they got the bag and the customer can point to your booth. Believe me, this does happen! I have had it happen many times.

I would also invest in some pretty tissue paper to put into each bag. You only need a small amount to put into each bag. These little touches let people know that you are indeed a jewelry design professional and not just a weekend crafter. I would make it a point to have a small display showing your packaging so that customers will know how their final purchase will look.

You also may want to consider having a few velvet boxes available in the event that a customer purchases one of your more expensive items. Other additional perks you might want to consider is providing small, free gift card if the customer is giving an item as a gift or if you have the time and inclination, free gift wrapping.

All of these extras will make your customers feel special and will help to reinforce your name in their minds. A customer that feels special after they leave your booth will be a happy repeat customer!

Would you like to learn to create stunning, wire jewelry that sells super fast at craft fairs? Check out the free videos here.

Thanks for reading, folks! I really value each and every one of you. :-)

Kristie

Sell More Handmade Jewelry Through Office Marketing


I'll keep it short today as I know everyone's getting ready for the weekend. I'm so glad it's Friday!

Here's a quick idea for marketing more handmade jewelry. Do you have friends and family who work in offices? If so, you might want to consider having them be your "handmade jewelry rep". Here's how it works:

1. Take a shallow box that has a top and line the inside of both the top and the box with black velvet. Line the outside of the box with some luscious fabric.

2. Find a friend or family member who works in an office that has alot of female workers, the larger the better. Ask your friend if she'd like to earn some extra money and free jewelry by showing your jewelry at her job site. Let he know you'll provide her with everything she needs.

3. If she agrees, offer to give her 20% commission on any item she sells at work from your collection. You can also offer her a free pair of earrings if she sells a certain amount.

4. Label the handmade jewelry that you wish to sell with a stock number and price then place the pieces into the velvet lined box you made in #1. Prepare some sheets for special orders.

5. Let your friend take this box with her to the office to show her fellow workers on their lunch hour. (be sure this is allowed at her work site). Since you may only have one of a particular item, have her use the special order sheets to take orders for you.

6. You fulfill the orders and give your friend her commission and free earrings.


I've always found offices to be very enthusiastic buyers of handmade jewelry. This isn't surprising since the employees have limited time to shop. Why not bring the shopping to them?This can work particularly well around the holidays and can be a continuous revenue source for you. Have your friend show your new pieces every two weeks or so and build up a loyal following. Pretty soon employees will come to you first for their gift giving needs as it's far easier to purchase from you than try to go to the shopping mall on their lunch hour. This type of marketing frees you up to do what you do best. Make and design jewelry!

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? I know how tough it can be to get traffic to an independent web page. Plus, it steals all your time away from making more handmade jewelry.Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com/.

Have a great weekend!

Kristie

How to Add Value to Your Handmade Jewelry Designs

We all know how competitive it is in the world of jewelry design! When I attend craft shows these days it seems like every other booth is filled with jewelry. Now, more than ever it's important to add value to your handmade jewelry designs. When you add value to a piece, you decrease the need to compete on the basis of price and you give your jewelry special features that help it to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

So, just how do you go about adding value to your jewelry designs? Here are some ideas:

1. Tell your customer how you make your jewelry designs. You can do this by having a sequence of photos taken while working on your designs along with captions explaining the design process. This should be displayed in your portfolio or prominently displayed in your booth. One of our customers had a beautiful poster made showing how her jewelry is made step-by-step. She placed it in her booth and swears that her sales have increased by 20%.

2. Sign each handmade jewelry piece that you make. This adds value to your pieces in the customers eye and makes them seem truly one-of-a-kind. Plus, it reinforces your name and brand in the marketplace. Think of all of those pieces of jewelry out in the marketplace with your name on them. Great publicity. :-)

3. Use your hangtags to further reinforce the value of your jewelry designs. Make sure your hangtag has a brief blurb about what makes your jewelry special. Mention any special techniques or materials you use in your work. If you use a kiln or a torch or if your designs use all natural materials or found objects, be sure this is emphasized on your hang tag. Customers very much want to know the origins and meaning of the jewelry they buy.

4. Speaking of meaning, you can add even more of it to your handmade jewelry designs by giving each piece a name. With this simple act, you take your piece out of the realm of mass produced jewelry and into the world of art. If this is not practical for you, consider grouping your handmade jewelry items into groups based on similarity and calling them a collection. For example, "The Spirit Collection".

5. Always include copies of any press releases or publicity you've received in the past relating to your jewelry. Make sure these are posted prominently in your booth. It also doesn't hurt to list your past education as well as any special workshops you've attended where you learned new techniques. Customers like to think they're purchasing from an expert artisan.

6. Only produce a certain number of copies of each handmade jewelry piece you create and let that be known to your customer. Give your pieces the designation of "limited edition". Not only does this make the piece more special, it also encourages the customer to purchase now as there are only a certain number available.

7. Did you know you can project value by how you handle your pieces in front of a customer? When you show a piece to a customer, treat the item with the reverence it deserves. Lay it out on a velvet board with good lighting and use hand mannerisms that suggest the piece is of great value. Body and hand language say alot when presenting jewelry to a customer.

8. Do you give any of the proceeds of your jewelry line to a particular charity? Be sure to add that to your hangtag and your literature if you do. If not, you should consider it It's a great way to do well for yourself while doing good things for others. Have you ever noticed how those charity auctions on Ebay always get bid way up? People love to support a cause while pleasing themselves at the same time.

9. Give a memorable guarantee on each handmade jewelry piece that you sell. One of our customers gives what she calls a "hundred year guarantee". She promises that she'll repair any problems that occur with the jewelry she sells over the next hundred years. Customers love it!

10. Display your items in the very best light and setting possible. Never, clutter your booth up with too much jewelry. This makes your handmade jewelry designs look mass produced and decreases their perceived value.Make sure your display is elegant, simple, and consistent with your theme.

11. Add value with your packaging. Look for elegant boxes and wrapping paper that won't break the bank. If a customer purchases alot, you may want to have some gold embossed thank you cards prewritten by hand thanking them for the business. This is a touch that won't be soon forgotten.

12. Dress elegantly and wear one of your most beautiful pieces of jewelry. I always recommend wearing a solid color to a jewelry show. You need a simple background to show off your jewelry designs. I usually wear a solid black top and pants along with a showstopping necklace. Bring along an extra showstopper as sometimes customers will want to buy the piece you're wearing right off your neck!

These are just a few of the many techniques you can use to add value to your pieces. If your jewelry isn't selling as well as you think it should, don't automatically lower your prices. Why not add value instead?

Need ideas and new insights into selling handmade jewelry at craft shows? The author of this ebook tested a variety of techniques and documented EXACTLY what worked and didn't work. If you read this book and practice the techniques she describes, you will see results. You get 176 pages of rock solid, hard hitting information and ideas as well as 3 bonuses for a VERY reasonable price. Check out her ebook. CLICK HERE You'll be glad you did!

So You Want to Market Your Handmade Jewelry to Galleries?

Hi everyone! I just completed a project and I want to share the results with you. I know many of you would like to get your handmade jewelry into galleries. I wanted to find out directly from the gallery owners and decision makers what jewelry designers need to consider before approaching a gallery. To do this, I called a representative group of 20 galleries across the country and ask them for pointers I can give you on how to approach them. (believe me it's not always easy to reach the person in charge). Here’s what I found:

1. Gallery owners overwhelmingly prefer that you approach them only after calling first and setting up an appointment. Drop in visits particularly during busy days are frowned upon. Several of them noted that Saturday is the absolute worse day to approach them either in person or by phone. One gallery owner said that if a designer drops in on a Saturday unannounced, she’d be unlikely to even consider them for her gallery as it’s a sign of unprofessionalism.

2. Your personality can play a role in whether or not your jewelry is accepted into some galleries. Gallery owners don’t seem to appreciate pushy designers and those who push too hard to “sell” their products. A polite demeanor and good manners go a long way towards establishing a relationship and can increase your chance of acceptance if you have a good product.

3. Several gallery owners emphasized the importance of having up-to-date wholesale price lists with you when you walk in the door. These should have wholesale prices listed and be marked as such. They said some designers will have the retail price printed on their sheets without specifying this. Retailers don’t like to have to ask whether or not the price listed is wholesale or retail. Make it easy for them!

4. Most gallery owners emphasized that they’re looking for jewelry designs that their competitors don’t have. While it may not be practical for you to grant them “exclusive rights” to your designs, I wouldn’t advise selling to their competitor down the street. Most gallery owners said they wouldn't purchase from a designer who sold to their close competitors.

5. "No" doesn't always mean no. Most galleries said they may turn down your work initially for a variety of reasons including an overabundance of jewelry or that particular style of jewelry, being overextended on their inventory purchases, not having the time to properly evaluate your line etc. They implied that a designer should follow up with them at least one time at a later date do see if anything has changed.

6. A few gallery owners emphasized the importance of having a full line of jewelry not just a few choices. It's difficult to create an appealing display or theme if there are only a few choices in your handmade jewelry line.

7. If you live outside the area of the gallery you're approaching, you can contact the gallery owner by mail. Be sure to include clear photographs and a wholesale price list. Mark your prices as wholesale so there's no confusion to the gallery owner as to whether the stated prices are wholesale or retail. Include your minimum order requirement.

8. When a gallery owner places an order with you, be sure to address all of the details regarding shipment. When will it be sent? How will it be sent? Who pays for shipping and handling? When a shipping date is established, please be sure to follow through. Gallery owners are very critical of jewelry designers who don't follow through with shipment in a timely manner.

9. Contrary to what you might think, gallery owners love working with jewelry designers and welcome new contacts. This means new and fresh merchandise for them which is the life blood of their business.

This should give you some idea as to what gallery owners expect from you as a jewelry designer and professional. It's important to maintain good communication with any gallery you establish a relationship with and to practice the art of good customer service. It really is a mutually beneficial relationship and partnership between you and the gallery as you're helping them as much as they're helping you. Be sure to nuture that relationship and it will help your business grow.

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? I know how tough it can be to get traffic to an independent web page. Plus, it steals all your time away from making more handmade jewelry.Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com/.

Thanks for reading. :-)

Kristie

Jewelry Designers! There's Strength in Numbers!


Good morning! I want to start by asking you how many other handmade jewelry designers do you know in your area? Why not join forces with them so you can combine your marketing power to the mutual benefit of everyone.

There would be lots of benefits to joining forces with other designers:

1. You could sponsor a jewelry show open to the public several times a year featuring the group's work. Each member of the group would contribute a portion of the funds to rent out a site for the jewelry show. For an event like this, you'd be likely to gain some free publicity for the show from your local media. You could schedule the shows around times of the year when gift giving is a priority such as Christmas or Valentine's Day. You might consider making the shows more upscale by offering wine and cheese to the customers as they look through your group's offerings.

2. The group could join up with a few wholesale jewelry supply companies that offer discounts for large purchases. Members could then order supplies through the group and get lower prices than they would if they ordered individually.

3. If you are able to form a large enough group, your group may be able to rent out a small retail space to showcase and sell the group's handmade jewelry. Each member could work a certain number of hours a month to keep the retail space staffed.

4. You could bring in guest artists and teachers to lecture on topics such as how to market handmade jewelry and teach workshops on new jewelry design techniques.

5. You'll have the opportunity to learn from other successful jewelry designers. You'll be able to bounce ideas off of them and find out what works for them and what doesn't. A great way to get feedback on your work!

6. You can potentially swap jewelry making supplies with other members if you have items you can't use or have excess stock of a particular item.

7. Jewelry designers organized as a group are more likely to get media attention than an individual designer might.

In our area we have an active and very talented bead group, most of whom market their work both locally and online. One way they have been able to generate publicity for their work is to display their group's items in display cases at our local libraries. The libraries are more than happy to have their gorgeous pieces in their showcase. Included with each member's items in the case is a brief synopsis of the artist. A nice way to get your work noticed by the public and to build name recognition.

What's the best way to get a jewelry design group started?

1. When you go to a craft or jewelry show, collect the business card of all of the local jewelry designers you can find.

2. Check with the local arts council in your area to see if they have a listing of jewelry designers in your area.

3. Ask art galleries that exhibit the work of local jewelry designers and see if you can get a card with their contact information.

4. If you have a local bead society, make an appointment to talk to the person in charge. Tell them what you'd like to do and see if they can help. They probably have members who would like to be a part of your group.

5. Check with your local colleges and universities that offer silversmithing and jewelry design classes to see if they know of any graduating students who would like to be a part of your group.

Once you have at least 7-10 people who are interested, arrange a meeting to determine your goals and how best to achieve them. Appoint a person to be in charge and set up regular meeting times. Many libraries are pleased to have groups like this meet at their facilities free of charge. Keep looking for new members which will help to increase your buying power for wholesale supplies and reduce individual costs for each member to display their items at the shows you sponsor.

In addition to helping you increase your sales of handmade jewelry, you'll also benefit from the friendship and comraderie gained from working with other jewelry designers. Why not give this idea a try? Have a great day. :-)

Kristie

Need ideas and new insights into selling handmade jewelry at craft shows? The author of this ebook tested a variety of techniques and documented EXACTLY what worked and didn't work. If you read this book and practice the techniques she describes, you will see results. You get 176 pages of rock solid, hard hitting information and ideas as well as 3 bonuses for a VERY reasonable price. Check out her ebook. CLICK HERE You'll be glad you did!

Unleash Your Creativity & Renew Your Enthusiasm for the Handmade Jewelry Business


Hi gang! We talked yesterday about the importance of giving your jewelry line focus, consistency and a signature. We also pointed out that your handmade jewelry must be original to be a bit hit in the marketplace. If your jewelry is to be original, you need to be open to new ideas and be able to unleash your inner creative potential. After all, this is how you come up with new jewelry concepts to develop.

Sometimes the best way to develop your jewelry making creativity is to allow yourself a day every few weeks to "play". If you have a line of jewelry that you're producing on a larger scale, it can be frustrating for many of you to make the same items over and over. Eventually, you can become burned out and frustrated with your jewelry business. A creative day of play is often the answer to renewing your enthusiasm for your handmade jewelry business.

I would suggest setting aside one day on your calendar every three weeks as a day you've chosen to explore creative jewelry making ideas. On this day, there are no jewelry making rules and it's okay to think completely out of the box and try crazy new techniques. All you'll need for this exercise is a large space in a comfortable setting, a big black cloth, your digital camera, and some beautiful music playing in the background.

Remember all of those jewelry findings and parts you have stashed away in a drawer that you did't know what to do with? Well, it's time to bring them out along with all of your other findings, components and beads. I would put a big black piece of cloth on the floor for a neutral background and spread your components out on the cloth. Put on some classical or new age music to get those creative brain waves synchronized, settle down on the floor and start playing with your jewelry parts.

Don't be afraid to try new combinations that might seem unconventional. Remember there are no rules on this day and your thoughts should be as uncensored as possible. When you find an interesting combination you haven't thought of before, take a photo of it with your digital camera to save for future reference.

Here are some exercises that'll help you come up with new combinations:

1. Pick a random word from the dictionary and arrange your jewelry components to give a visual representation of that word. For example, how would you arrange your components to describe a sunset or a forest?

2. Take a handful of components, close your eyes and arrange them by touch only. No peeking allowed! Try this several times until you come up with something interesting and unique.

3. Bring to mind an important historical figure or mythical character. Visualize what kind of jewelry they might have worn. Design a fantasty necklace for that character using your jewelry components. Don't forget to take a digital photo!

4. Look at your components with new eyes and ask yourself how they could be altered to achieve a new look. Could they be wire wrapped, painted, etched, soldered together, cut into pieces, enhanced with beads, put on a headpin, sandblasted, shellaced, drilled or otherwise altered?

5. Open a fashion magazine and randomly pick a fashion photo. Look at the clothing the model is wearing. Use your components to put together a unique jewelry concept for that particular outfit.

I know many of these ideas seem a bit unconventional but sometimes that's what you need to infuse creativity into your jewelry making. Besides, it's also fun and a great stress reliever.

Don't forget to download your digital photos to a special folder once you've completed the exercises. You can peruse them later and pick out any designs you feel might have the potential for being developed and added to your handmade jewelry line.

I hope you'll make this type of jewelry play a regular event. You'll be surprised how simple exercises like this can not only expand your creative options but also reinvigorate you and give you a more positive attitude towards your jewelry design business.

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? I know how tough it can be to get traffic to an independent web page. Plus, it steals all your time away from making more handmade jewelry.Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com/.

Thanks for reading. :-)

Kristie

The Five Things that Can Doom Your Handmade Jewelry Business Fast!

After observing so many people attempting to enter the handmade jewelry business and watching their successes and failures, I think I've come up with the five primary reasons why a jewelry business fails. I think if we can address these issues, we'll achieve a much greater degree of success in our businesses. Here they are:

Lack of Focus

I know we've discussed this before and you're probably tired of hearing it but I see this mistake made so often. You must have a focused jewelry collection with a signature style in order to successfully establish a brand with the consumer.

When you go shopping for clothing by Ralph Lauren, you expect to see an all American, classic, almost preppy look to his pieces. How would you react if he decided to come out with a line of frilly, fussy pieces with loud prints? You might feel a confused and even a bit betrayed. Wouldn't your customers potentially have the same reaction? Confusion in the mind of a consumer definitely doesn't help to boost sales.

Spend some time studying some of the more successful handmade jewelry lines on the market and see if you can define their focus or their signature look. Chances are that most of the successful ones have one. What's yours?

Caveat: This doesn't mean you can't introduce some newness into your jewelry line. In fact, it's important that you do. (see the next entry). Just make sure you do it gradually and that it's still consistent with your theme.

Lack of Originality

You can't make what everyone else makes and expect to be successful in the jewelry design business. If you do, you end up competing on the basis of price which is a sure recipe for failure. Consumers are always seeking out what's new and different in the marketplace. If you have the "same old, same old", they're going to walk right by your jewelry booth.

Inability or Unwillingness to Market

You can make the most beautiful jewelry in the world, But, if you don't know how to market it, it's never going to leave your possession. It's important to define who your market is and how you're going to reach them. Start with one marketing idea and test it thoroughly. Do it consistently for a period of time and monitor the results.

Remember, consumers need to see an ad at least 3 times before they take action. Don't be afraid to try new and unconventional marketing techniques. Try them methodically and test as you go. Lastly, use your time wisely by marketing your handmade jewelry at every opportunity i.e. leave a business card with your payment at a restaurant, wear your jewelry etc.

Lack of Belief in Yourself

This is an important one that we've spent very little time discussing. If you don't believe in yourself and project that belief, neither will anyone else. It takes time to establish a market for your handmade jewelry designs. You have to persevere, try new marketing techniques, and believe that you will ultimately achieve success.

One of the very best books I've read for motivation and overcoming self limiting beliefs is this one . It's very inexpensive book that's worth every penny. I've read my copy at least five times and will probably reread it again. If you don't believe you can succeed at this, you're going to quit at the first sign of rejection. Studies have shown that people often quit at the point when they're starting to make a turnaround. Don't let this happen to you!

Not Researching the Marketplace

Although you need to have a unique style that differentiates yourself from other jewelry designers, you don't want to design in a vaccuum. If the prevailing trend is tiny post earrings, you don't want to go overboard with huge earring designs that hang down to the shoulders.

Likewise, if it's the year where all of the fashions shown are in neutral shades, there's not going to have much of a market for your pastel beaded necklaces. Keep up with those trends but don't allow yourself to be completely dictated by them.

These are the five main points I wanted to discuss that can make and break you in the handmade jewelry world. There are other minor points such as pricing, display etc. but if you address the issues outlined above, the minor points will likely fall into place. Ask yourself if you're making any of the above mistakes. If so, take action and see if you aren't rewarded with increased sales.

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? I know how tough it can be to get traffic to an independent web page. Plus, it steals all your time away from making more handmade jewelry.Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com/.

Thanks for reading. :-)

Kristie

Updating Your Handmade Jewelry Line to Increase Sales

We all know it's important to always offer our handmade jewelry customers something new and unique. Plus, trends change requiring you to make subtle changes to your jewelry line. One of the best ways to offer a new look and take advantage of the trends is to subtly redesign some of your handmade jewelry pieces to give a fresh, updated look. You can then test market these redesigned pieces at shows to gauge the response before starting to produce them.

So, what changes can you make to your handmade jewelry line that won't destroy the integrity of your unique look and still add freshness to your line? Here are some ideas:

1. Try using a different metal or material in your work.

Previously, I was designing primarily sterling silver jewelry for our bead store until the trend started to favor gold. I tried producing a few gold filled pieces and found they sold rapidly. This resulted in a whole new profit center for my business.

You may also want to consider incorporating copper into your jewelry line. Every piece that I've ever made using copper has sold quickly and it's a great metal for redheads! Copper jewelry is also harder to find in the marketplace which gives you a competitive advantage.

If you're a beader and use primarily semiprecious beads in your necklaces, try adding a few ceramic beads with interesting glazed surfaces to your necklaces. These can really enhance and complement the semiprecious beads.

2. Add a unique clasp or ear wire to your handmade jewelry.

I believe a beautiful clasp can transform a piece from nice to extraordinary. If you can't find a clasp that meets your needs, there's always the possiblity of having a unique clasp designed and cast for your by a casting company. This could be your "signature clasp" which would further serve to brand your jewelry line.

If you're an earring designer, you know that an interesting earwire or post can really change the look of a pair of earrings. It's a quick and simple way to add newness to your jewelry line. Some unique Bali silver posts such as these, can go a long way towards freshening up your line.

3. Add a few interesting focal pieces that you haven't used before.

How about adding a small dichroic pendant or piece of sea glass to a necklace? A piece of textured metal with a patina surface would also make an interesting centerpiece to update your jewelry line. I also love the idea of using subtle sterling silver tassels such as these to add interest to a neckalce.The possibilities are endless. The point is to try something new but don't go overboard until you've test marketed. It's also important that anything you try be consistent with your overall theme or niche.

4. Try some new color combinations.

Keep abreast of upcoming color trends. Try adding very subtle touches of the new, trendy colors to your current jewelry line. Don't go overboard with this! You don't want to compromise your signature look, just give it an updated look.

5. Try expanding the types of jewelry items you offer.

If you've always sold necklaces, bracelets and earrings, try test marketing a few related items such as beaded watches, anklets, beaded rings, beaded hairsticks etc. One of my best selling items is a beaded hairstick that I market to hair salons. The trick is to make sure that these have the same signature look as the rest of your collection.


As you can see there are lots of ways to add "newness" to your jewelry line. The key is to introduce changes subtly and slowly based on the results of your test marketing. Shows are an excellent medium for test marketing new handmade jewelry pieces. When you display at a show, always take along a few of your test pieces to gauge the response. You may also want to test the market by listing a few of your new items on Ebay. This is a quick and easy way to get feedback on your new ideas.

The customer of today is more demanding than ones from the past. They seek out new and unique jewelry as a form of self expression. Be prepared to offer them something new on a regular basis and you'll be rewarded with increased sales. Thanks for reading. :-)

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? I know how tough it can be to get traffic to an independent web page. Plus, it steals all your time away from making more handmade jewelry.Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com/.

Selling Your Handmade Jewelry on Consigment

In our last posting, we talked about wholesaleing your handmade jewelry through boutiques. Although this is the ideal situation, if a boutique doesn't want to pay for your jewelry outright, there is the option of displaying your items on consignment. A boutique may feel more comfortable with this arrangement since there is little risk to them and they only have to pay for the item if it sells.

How does this arrangement work?

You would establish a price for your handmade jewelry, possibly with some input from the boutique owner since she knows what price points sell in her store. When the item sells, the boutique owner keeps an agreed upon percentage of the sales price and gives the remainder to you. The percentage varies depending up on the retailer and the consignor, but is usually between 60/40 and 75/25 in favor of the seller. I wouldn't accept a percentage less than 60% since you're tying up handmade jewelry inventory that could be sold elsewhere without a large enough return.

Advantages to Selling on Consignment

1. It may be a way for you to get your foot in the door of a boutique that wouldn't normally purchase from a new vendor.

2. You keep a slightly higher percentage of the profits than if you sold wholesale. This is can be significant if you're able to secure a 75/25 split.

Disadvantages to Selling on Consignment

1. Your inventory is tied up so you're unable to sell it elsewhere. This can result in cash flow problems.

2. Increased paperwork for both you and the boutique owner. It can be difficult keeping track of what's sold and what hasn't if you're in several stores.

3. Because the boutique owner hasn't taken title to the merchandise, she may not treat it with care and respect handmade jewelry deserves. This can result in damage to your pieces.

4. The boutique owner may not display your items as prominently as items that she's purchased outright.

5. The boutique could go out of business suddenly without returning your merchandise. You would likely not be paid and still be out the merchandise. Not a good situation. :-(



Judging from the list, it would certainly seem as if the disadvantages of selling on consignment outweigh the advantages. This may be true but if you're trying to establish a relationship with a new, high traffic boutique, it can in your best interest to pursue a consignment relationship if all else fails. Here's how to avoid some of the problems:


1. Research a boutique thoroughly before commiting to consignment arrangement. You want to know how many years they've been in business. Since most businesses fail within the first two years, a boutique that has been in business at least that long may be worth taking a chance on.

2. Find out if the boutique has done consignment before. If so, ask for a copy of the consignment contract before you commit your items to their store. Make sure you understand all of the details and "fine print".

3. Keep accurate records and counts of all items you consign with the boutique. As each item sells, remove it from your consignment list

4. If you're consigning locally, keep a close eye on your merchandise. Check back every two weeks to make sure your items are well displayed and are not being damaged or pilfered. It's also a good idea to replace slower selling items with fresh ones to spark new interest in your jewelry.

5. Try to avoid a consignment arrangement in out-of-town boutiques unless you're able to make a trip every two weeks to monitor the situation.

6. Try to negotiate as high a percentage of the sales price as you can to make it worth your while. Aim for 70/30 if at all possibile.

7. Once you've proven that your handmade jewelry will sell, encourage the boutique owner to purchase your items via wholesale. You may want to establish upfront that you only sell on consignment on a temporary basis for new retailers. Most boutique owners will be glad to purchase wholesale after they see that your handmade jewelry is a quick mover.


I know of several handmade jewelry designers who are quite happy with the consignment mode of doing business and use it exclusively. So, it is an arrangement that can work and be profitable. My feeling is that you should wholesale to boutique stores if at all possible in order to increase your cash flow and reduce the time required for record keeping. If a consignment arrangement is the only way you can get into a high traffic store, by all means, give it a try. You may find that the rewards greatly outweigh the disadvantages.

If any of you wonderful readers have sold your items through boutiques, let us know if you used a wholesale or consignment arrangement and your experience with each. This would be very useful information that would help us all to grow our businesses. Thanks. :-) BTW, if you still want to sign up for the handmade jewelry marketing tip emails, just send a blank email with the subject line "handmade jewelry tips" to beadsindeed@cox.net

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? I know how tough it can be to get traffic to an independent web page. Plus, it steals all your time away from making more handmade jewelry.Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com/.

Your Appointment with the Boutique Owner


In the last post we discussed how to get an appointment with a boutique to show your handmade jewelry as well as how to prepare for the meeting once you get the appointment. Before we talk about how to handle the meeting with the store owner, let me just reiterate and add a few points that may not have been covered in enough depth in the previous post:

1. Make sure your retail pricing is consistent across all sales outlets. If you sell your item to more than one store, your standard retail price should be the same for each store. If you sell on online, through an online gallery, at home parties, at craft shows, again, your retail price should be the same as you've set for the stores. Never undercut the price that a boutique is using to sell your handmade jewelry. This creates an enormous amount of bad will.

2. Be prepared with answers to the following questions when you meet with the store owner:

- Do you have a minimum order amount? Alot of jewelers set their minimums at $100.00. You might want to offer an incentive for ordering over a certain amount. For example, offer a free display or piece of jewelry if they order over $300.00.

- How rapid is your turn around time? They simply want to know how quickly you can produce your handmade jewelry and when they can expect to receive it.

- What are your terms of payment? In other words, how and when do you want to be paid.

- Do you sell in other stores, on the web, at shows etc? Again, they're concerned about being underpriced and that you might sell to their competition down the street.

- How do I go about reordering? Reassure them that you'll check back with them on a regular basis to see if they need anything. The last thing the retailer wants is for your handmade jewelry to sell like crazy and then not be able to restock.

3. If the owner of the boutique is unwilling to purchase outright, there's also the possibility of a consignment arrangement for your handmade jewelry. We'll discuss this in a future posting.


Well, you're finally ready to meet with the store owner! You're nicely groomed, wearing one of your best handmade jewelry pieces. Your jewelry is carefully arranged in a professional looking carrying case along with brochures, price lists, business cards etc. Congratulate yourself for taking the initiative to find new markets!

Make sure that you time your departure so that you arrive on time. The owner will draw conclusions about your ability to produce your handmade jewelry in a timely manner if you're late. On the other hand, don't be too early. The owner will likely be tied up with customers and won't appreciate the additional pressure of having to divide her attention.

Be pleasant and try to establish good rapport with the owner from the beginning. As you show your jewelry, take the time to answer her questions in an unhurried manner. Reassure her that you'll be available when she has questions or needs to reorder. Let her know that you won't be marketing your handmade jewelry to stores in her immediate area.

Give her the time she needs to look at your jewelry without pressure. You may suggest some ideas on how to display your items and how best to merchandise them. Tell her which of your items have been most popular at shows etc. This is all valuable information to the retailer and further reinforces your professionalism as a designer.

If you are rejected, please don't take it personally. There are many reasons a store doesn't purchase from an individual vendor. They may be overstocked with merchandise, already have items of a similar nature, feel uncomfortable ordering from a new vendor, have insufficient funds for ordering at present etc. Let them know that you'll check on them again in the future to see if their needs have changed. Be sure to leave a business card and encourage them to call if they have any questions.

After the meeting, it's always classy to send a thank you card whether or not they chose to place an order. This small gesture goes a long way towards promoting good will and can result in an increase in sales of your jewelry.

On the next posting, we'll talk a bit about the consignment arrangement and it's role in marketing to boutiques.

Have a great weekend. :-)

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com. If you're having success selling via a particular online site, please email and let me know. The more we share information, the more handmade jewelry we can all sell. :-)

Kristie

Getting Your Handmade Jewelry Into Boutiques


I’ve received several emails from people who have questions about how to approach boutiques to sell their handmade jewelry. I thought we’d cover this topic today both to clear up some of the confusion as well as motivate you to take the steps you need to take to get your handmade jewelry into boutiques.

I know that approaching a new jewelry outlet for the first time can be slightly scary since there's always the potential for you to be rejected. It important to keep rejection in perspective since no jewelry, no matter how beautiful is right for every market.

To reduce your chance of rejection when approaching a boutique, it important that you do your research first to make sure your jewelry appears to be the right fit for the store. I would first visit the store as a customer. Look around the store and make a mental note of the types of fashions and jewelry they carry. Make note of price points, how the jewelry is displayed, and how much emphasis is given to jewelry in the store. Is your jewelry of a similar general style and price point? If you design sterling silver jewelry pieces with semiprecious stones, your jewelry probably won't sell well in a store that emphasizes lower end costume jewelry. Each boutique tends to attract a certain type of customer who has particular needs and tastes. Make sure your jewelry is consistent with what that store particular customer wants to buy.

When the sales person approaches, don’t reveal that you’re a jewelry designer at this point. You’re in the store anonymously to do your research. If you feel the store might be an appropriate market for your jewelry, take a business card from the store with you. so you’ll have their contact information.

Once you’ve identified a group of stores that might be a good market for your handmade jewelry, you can begin the process of contacting the store owners. Select your first business card and give the store a call. Politely ask to speak with the owner. Let her know that you’re an established jewelry designer and would like to set up an appointment to show your latest collection. In one or two sentences, let her know why you think your jewelry would be a good fit for her store. (this shows you’ve done your research). If she says she’s not interested at the present time, ask if you can contact her at a later time or send her a brochure. If she agrees to this, place her business card into a special file to remind you to contact her again in a few months or send her a brochure. If you get the appointment, congratulations!

Now, let's prepare for the big appointment. I would start by selecting a representative group of jewelry pieces from your collection. Try to choose a few pieces from each style of jewelry that you make. You don’t want to overwhelm her with too many options since this can create indecision which diminishes your chances of a sale. On the other hand, the more types of pieces you take, the more you can sell.

Important! Please transport your jewelry pieces to the store in a professional manner. You don’t want to roll your pieces into a towel and stuff them into a bag. One professional option would be to purchase jeweler trays that you place inside a carrying case. Make sure the jewelry is firmly pinned onto the display so you don have a tangled mess when you arrive. This doesn't make a good first impression! Also be sure to bring along business cards, an order book, copies of any favorable publicity or recognition you've received, and your portfolio.

Make sure you have a pricing sheet typed out and ready to take with you. Generally, boutique retailers use a keystone markup which means they double the wholesale price. Occasionally stores with higher overhead will mark up 2 to 3 times the wholesale price. Keep this in mind when pricing your handmade jewelry. You want your prices to be consistent with prices of other pieces in the store.

You're almost ready to head out the door! Don't forget to make sure that you're well groomed and wearing one of your pieces of handmade jewelry, of course. On our next posting, we'll discuss what to say at the appointment.

Do you need to sell more handmade jewelry online? Place your jewelry in an elegant online gallery setting. You get a 14 day free trial to see if the site is right for your jewelry. I've had several readers email to say they're having success here. Give the free trial a try! Go to http://www.beadiest.com. If you're having success selling via a particular online site, please email and let me know. The more we share information, the more handmade jewelry we can all sell. :-)

Thanks again for reading. :-)

Can Co-marketing Help You Sell More Handmade Jewelry?

Here an idea that not many handmade jewelry designers consider
that may work for you, particularly if you live in a larger city.
In various cities you can find people who work as fashion and
image consultants. They basically help their clients by showing
them how to coordinate items in their wardrobe to achieve a
more professional look. They also show them what they need
to add to their wardrobes to achieve their desired image.
In addition, they help their clients accessorize wardrobes with
jewelry and accessories.

Why not team up with a fashion consultant who can promote
your jewelry to her clients? As she coordinates the client's
wardrobe, she would show her client how your jewelry can
expand her wardrobe options. In turn, she would receive a
commission on every piece of jewelry she successfully sells to
her customers. You would be responsible for producing the
jewelry and she would effectively be your commissioned salesperson.
This could be quite lucrative for you since clients who work with
a fashion or image consultant are usually in high paying fields and
can afford to pay top dollar for quality handmade jewelry. There
is also opportunity here for you to receive some free publicity for
your jewelry if your fashion consultant happens to work with
prominent, well known women or celebrities.

I would start by checking in your local phone book to see if
any image or fashion consultants are listed in your area. You
may also want to look under the heading of personal shopper
Many consultants won't be listed in the phone book so you
may want to do a local internet search for consultants
who work out of their home.

Once you locate a fashion consultant in your area, you can set
up a meeting and show them how your jewelry can result in add
on profits for them without an upfront investment on their part.

Here another similar comarketing venture that has been
demonstrated to work in our particular area of Virginia.

One of our customers is a very talented and ambitious jewelry
designer. She is also a full-time pharmaceutical rep which leaves
her little time for marketing her handmade jewelry. How did she
solve this problem? She was smart enough to team up with a local
custom clothing maker in our area who makes clothing for special
occasions and also designs costumes for all of our local theater and
ballet productions. It was a natural extension for this custom clothing
maker to supply her clients with coordinating jewelry which our jewelry
designer was happy to provide. This custom clothing maker has a retail
store front where she allows the jewelry designer to display her latest
designs for inspiration. Last I heard,this jewelry designer had more
orders than she could handle! This is another great example of thinking
out of the box as far as marketing handmade jewelry goes.

We'll continue to discuss less well known markets for handmade jewelry
over the next few postings. Hopefully, some of the ideas we cover will
spark even more unique ways to market your jewelry. I want you to
realize that there are many more markets out there for you. We need
to learn to think beyond the traditional gallery and clothing boutique
and reach out to new profit centers for selling our handmade jewelry.
Thanks for listening to my rants and raves. :-)

Need ideas and new insights into selling handmade jewelry at craft shows? The author of this ebook tested a variety of techniques and documented EXACTLY what worked and didn't work. If you read this book and practice the techniques she describes, you will see results. You get 176 pages of rock solid, hard hitting information and ideas as well as 3 bonuses for a VERY reasonable price. Check out her ebook. CLICK HERE You'll be glad you did!

Should You Market Your Jewelry Through Jewelry Show Demonstrations?

I know many of you sell your jewelry through craft and jewelry shows. Some of you also do demonstrations of your jewelry making techniques in order to market your handmade jewelry. Is this a good idea?

At first glance, this would seem to be an excellent idea. The advantages are that:


1. You attract attention to your handmade jewelry booth which can result
in increased sales.

2. You give credibility to your jewelry line by showing that it is indeed handmade.

3. You may receive positive publicity or even a full fledged story about your
handmade jewelry if the right person happens to be in the audience.

4. You educate the public about how your handmade jewelry is made which makes them feel more comfortable buying from you.

5. You establish a personal connection with your potential customer. People would much rather purchase from an individual they've established a relationship with as opposed to a faceless company or importer.

6. You can have a helper in the audience take photos of your demonstrations to add to your portfolio.


Now, Before you decide that demonstrating your jewelry making to the public is the greatest thing since sliced bread, be aware that there are several disadvantages to using this as a promotional technique:

1. It requires you to bring additional jewelry making equipment with you to shows. As if you don't have enough to carry already!

2. It requires you to tie up some of your booth space for the demonstration which means les space for jewelry display.

3. You may need to hire an assistant to sell your handmade jewelry while you demonstrate. This increases your overhead.

4. Most importantly of all, it keeps you from actively marketing and selling your jewelry as you're tied up with the demonstration.

I've had jewelers tell me that they have tested the market by demonstrating their handmade jewelry at some shows, while spending the time at other shows actively selling and marketing their jewelry. Guess which one resulted in more sales! The shows where the jewelry designer actively interacted with customers as a salesperson won out by a significant margin.

Does this mean you shouldn't demonstrate your jewelry making skills at all? Not necessarily. You will need to see what works for YOU. Much of your success will depend on you and how your audience responds to you. Only testing will determine if this is a successful marketing technique for you to add to your arsenal.

Here are some suggestions for a successful handmade jewelry demonstration:

1. Don't use fancy, technical jewelry making language when you demonstrate. Keep it simple using only terms that a layperson can understand. No one wants to hear terms like repousse or etchant tossed about. They'll quickly get bored and head to the next booth.

2. Talk about what makes the piece you e making so special, again, using simple terms that your audience can understand. Are the materials you're using unusual? Is the technique an unusual one or one that very difficult to perfect? Did you develop a unique method to make this particular piece of jewelry? These are all factors that may make your handmade jewelry special to your audience.

3. Illustrate with lots of stories to break up the monotony. Customers love a well told story that brings your product to life!

4. As you demonstrate, give them ideas and suggestions on how to wear your jewelry. Sometimes a simple, practical suggestion for how to put your handmade jewelry piece to use is enough to spark a sale.

5. Add some humor to your demonstration. Think about those T.V. ads you see during the Superbowl. Almost all of them incorporate humor to make their point. If they're paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for those ads, don't you think humor must be working?

6. Hire an additional assistant to sell your handmade jewelry while you're demonstrating. You can't afford to ignore customers.


If you've done jewelry demonstrations in your craft booth in the past, let us hear about your experience in the comment section. It'd be great to see if you think it helped your sales since there seems to be such a diversity of opinion. It's always important to test new ideas? Why not give a handmade jewelry demonstration a try?

Need ideas and new insights into selling handmade jewelry at craft shows? The author of this ebook tested a variety of techniques and documented EXACTLY what worked and didn't work. If you read this book and practice the techniques she describes, you will see results. You get 176 pages of rock solid, hard hitting information and ideas as well as 3 bonuses for a VERY reasonable price. Check out her ebook. CLICK HERE You'll be glad you did!

Does Your Handmade Jewelry Line Need a Personality?


Hello everyone! I hope your handmade jewelry sales are going well. This is most definitely the slow time of year so don't get discouraged. It's time to take stock, reevaluate, and get ready for sales in the spring. Plus, we have Valentine's Day coming up which is usually an excellent selling opportunity.

Today I want to ask you to take a look at your jewelry line with fresh eyes and ask yourself, "Does my handmade jewelry have a unique personality?".

This is an important question to ask because if your jewelry doesn't have a personality or voice of it's own, it will be lost in the sea of imported and massproduced jewelry that bombards the consumer every day.

We have a bead store customer who is quite a skillful jewelry maker. She specializes in necklace sets which include matching earrings and sometimesa bracelet. She uses high quality materials and her work is very nice constructed. She keeps her prices at a very reasonable level without underselling herself.

Well this very nice handmade jewelry designer came into our store with a distraught look on her face. She was visibly upset, even in tears. She tearfully claimed that the jewelry she worked so hard on wasn't selling at shows or through the consigment outlets where she consigns. She had the look of a defeated person who was about to give up on her dream. Now we can't have that can we?

We asked her to show us her jewelry designs which she happened to have with her. One look at her designs told me quite a bit. Although you could tell a great deal of care and workmanship had gone into their construction and the designs were well executed, her pieces lacked the kind of impact that turns a good piece of handmade jewelry into a "must have" piece.

This very frustrated handmade jewelry designer used gorgeous semiprecious stone beads and sterling, but they were arranged in a pretty, but somewhat predictable manner. We decided that she needed to add a "signature look' to her designs to give them personality and turn them into something special that consumers would have a hard time passing up.

After circling the store for awhile and discussing various options, we decided that the addition of a beautiful handmade lampwork bead or two to each design was just what was needed to give her jewelry a signature look. Yes,she would have to raise her price points a bit since handmade lampwork beadscan be expensive, but I felt sure that she could get these higher prices with more distinctive designs.

Our frustrated jewelry designer went home and designed 15 new necklaces using one or two strategically placed lampwork beads in each design. The gorgeous colors in the lampwork beads made the rest of her design pop, taking them from rather ordinary to quite extraordinary. Her price points were raised to complensate for the increased expense.

To make a long story short, at her next craft show she sold EVERY ONE of her new necklaces. Needless to say, she was thrilled!

Is it time to look at your jewelry line with a fresh eye for originality? Does your jewelry have a personality? If not, it may be time to make some subtle changes to give your jewelry sales that extra boost. Here are some ideas for giving new personality to your jewelry:

1. Add few dichroic glass beads in strategic areas of your design. Dichroic glass gives off a beautiful, iridescent sheen that adds color and life to a handmade jewelry piece.

2. Have you ever worked with polymer clay? Using polymer clay, you can create beautiful, one-of-kind signature beads using only a few hand tools and an oven. You can create beads that no one else has access to. You can point out to your customer that these beads are "one-of-a-kind" handmade artisan beads.

3. Add a stunning pendant to the center of some of your necklaces. Don't settle for just an ordinary pendant. Look for something no one else has. You can make an incredible pendant by using a headpin, and unsual lampwork bead and some decorative sterling silver beads. (I'm definitely going to have to add photos in the future to illustrate).

4. Use a distinctive, large, beautifully detailed high quality clasp that grabs attention. A simple clasp change can often give a necklace or bracelet an entirely new personality. You may even consider having a signature clasp cast for you by a jewelry casting company. This is not as expensive as you might think and really adds to your design options.

5. Try some unusual color combinations. Certain colors placed together can really make a design "pop". Review your color wheel and note how a color can be markedly enhanced when placed next to its complement. Don't settle for tired, overused color combinations. Think out of the box!

6. Sign your work or add a handstamped, metal signature tag to your designs. These can be custom made for you by variety of companies on the internet or you can buy tiny metal discs and hand stamp your own.

7. Consider adding gorgeous buttons or charms with a vintage look as a centerpiece for some of your necklaces. This site has some interesting charms and buttons with a vintage look. Just a few of these inexpensive embellishments can add vitality and personality to your line.


There are lots more ways to add personality to your jewelry and I'll be mentioning more as we go along. I just wanted to get you started thinking about the steps you might take to give you jewelry a more identifiable personality. By regularly reassessing and redefining your jewelry line, you can give it the personality it needs to generate some serious profits.

If you haven't signed up for the new jewelry marketing emails I'll be offering, email me at beadsindeed@cox.net with the subject line "jewelry tips" In these emails which will come out once or twice a week, I'll give you certain action steps you can take everyday to increase your handmade jewelry sales. I wanna keep you motivated and productive. :-) I'll likely take the weekend off from posting but will be back on Monday. Have a great weekend!