If this newsletter is difficult to read as an e-mail:

Read this issue online.

Welcome!

Did you know that looking at things in a different way can improve your jewelry business profits?

You'll see several examples of that idea in action here in today's issue.

Whether it's a profitable new product line, a cheaper jewelry supply source, or a better way to network - looking at things in a different way is helping jewelry artists earn more and spend less.

Often it's the simplest, most do-able ideas that can make the biggest difference in our jewelry business profits.

So whenever you can, try looking in a different way at the various things you do in your jewelry business.

Especially examine the things you've always done the same way. I often find great opportunities when I look at these things through a different perspective.

What small, unconventional tweaks can you make that can help your business spend less or earn more?

~ Rena

If you like this newsletter, please forward it to your friends.

If you received this issue from a friend, please subscribe so you won't miss any upcoming issues.

In this Issue of
Jewelry Business Success News:

1. Quick Tip: Jewelry Slideshow to Go



2. New Jewelry Business Ideas and Techniques:
   - 5 new jewelry business ideas
   - 3 new jewelry-making tips and inspirations
   - 4 new jewelry display / packaging ideas
   - 5 new highlights from the handmade jewelry gallery



3. Your Profitable Jewelry Business:
   Minimizing Barriers Between Your Customers and Your Jewelry



4. Neat Jewelry-Related Website:
   Hope Paige Designs - jewelry that makes a difference

Help Other Jewelry Artists

If you find my jewelry websites helpful, please help other jewelry artists to find out about them.

If you have a blog or website, please consider linking to my sites. Or share them on Facebook, Twitter, Squidoo... you get the idea.

Thank you! :o)

Quick Tip:
Jewelry Slideshow to Go

When people find out that you make jewelry, they're often excited to see a selection of your work.

And of course it's best to show them your jewelry while their interest is hot!

However, it isn't always practical to carry a selection of jewelry with you for spur-of-the-moment jewelry showings.

So why not show them a "slideshow" of your jewelry photos that you've uploaded to your cell phone, iPod, or other portable electronic device?

You might want to have a slideshow of your currently-available jewelry, so people can order right away if they see something they like (or that they'd like to give as a gift).

Or you may prefer to have a slideshow of your all-time best jewelry creations, to encourage custom orders or personalized jewelry showings.

Either way, you can have a jewelry show always ready in your purse or pocket!

Sell Your Jewelry Like Crazy
at Shows, Fairs, and Festivals

Discover hundreds of things you can do to sell more of your handmade jewelry at shows, in my book Ultimate Guide to Your Profitable Jewelry Booth.

Get this 176-page, step-by-step resource before your next show.

New Jewelry Business
Ideas and Techniques
from My Websites and Blog:

Jewelry Business Ideas:

1. DIY Kits Are a Hit!
   Jessica Poundstone discovered a whole new market for her work when she started offering DIY (do-it-yourself) kits that reflect her jewelry line. Here she shares how she creates and sells her popular kits.



2. Blog Parties - the Newest Soiree
   Blog parties can help you get exposure for your jewelry business and make new connections. Dee Gordon explains how a blog party works, and how to participate - or even host your own party.



3. Signing Up for an Outdoor Show - Insights from Jewelry Artists
   Two experienced jewelry artists, Cheryl Feyen and Jeanette Ivins, reveal their excellent tips and insights on doing outdoor shows.



4. eSMArts - Social Marketing and Promotion Group for Artists
   You may want to consider joining a free group like "eSMArts" - an online gathering of artists who network together to get more visibility and promote each other's businesses. By sharing and leveraging each artist's efforts, everyone wins!



5. Choosing a Jewelry Brand Name and Slogan
   Olga Cernea shares the soul-searching process that resulted in her unique jewelry brand.

Jewelry Making Ideas:

1. Jewelry Supplies from Hardware Stores
   See Bev Carlson's tips for finding jewelry supplies and tools cheaply and conveniently at hardware and home-improvement stores.



2. Bead Stringing Material
   Bead shop owner Lisa Jagger describes bead stringing material options - including the advantages, disadvantages, and uses of each.



3. Bela Designs Sources of Jewelry Inspiration
   How Bernadette combines influences like shabby-chic style and the seasons of the year to dream up her new jewelry designs.

Jewelry Display and Packaging Ideas:

1. Jewelry Packaging for Brand and Visual Identity
   Jewelry artist / graphic designer Jessie McCann faced the challenge of designing the business cards, earring cards and price tags for her own jewelry business. See her stunning results!



2. Polymer Clay Eclectic's New Business Card
   Please share your feedback on this draft of Mechelle Fox's card design.



3. Tanya's "Newbie" Jewelry Business Card
   Please share your feedback on this card draft for Tanya of The Fix Designs.



4. Voila! Designs Earring Cards on Display
   Patti Underwood shares her earring card and display rack system that she pre-loads at home.

Highlights from the Handmade Jewelry Gallery:

1. Shimmery Copper Aquamarine Cascade Necklace
   by Smitherine Designs.



2. Birds in Flight Bracelet
   by Joan Williams.



3. Cosmic State of Mind Bracelet
   by Virginia Vivier.



4. Whispers Jewelry Set
   by Linda Landig.



5. MeMe Malachite Jewelry Set
   by Rachel Shear.

Share Your Jewelry Content
and Get Great Exposure

I invite you to share your jewelry photos, tips, stories, tutorials, etc. - right here on my network of jewelry websites.

It's a friendly, creative atmosphere of ideas and networking.

You'll also receive links to your jewelry business, and gain exposure in the handmade jewelry community - and beyond.

Jewelry artists often tell me that the exposure they've received on my websites has brought them valuable new connections, opportunities, and traffic!

So come on in and take advantage of all these great opportunities for sharing:

Share Your Jewelry Content

(And of course, you always keep the copyright to all of your own content that you share on my network of jewelry websites.)

Sell Your Jewelry at Trunk Shows,
Private Showings,
and as Business Gifts

Learn how to sell your handmade jewelry to this HUGE untapped market, in my book Secrets of a Handcrafted Jewelry Shopping Service.

Get this 115-page, easy-to-read guide now, and make this your best jewelry selling year ever.

Your Profitable Jewelry Business:

Minimizing Barriers Between
Your Customers and Your Jewelry

by Rena Klingenberg

Here's an important tip, inspired by the discussion that took place below Jean Menden's silverware chest jewelry display writeup that she shared with us.

In the discussion, Jean mentioned that she had actually sold fewer of her spoon handle pendants since she began hanging them up in her lovely silverware chest display.

She said, "It seems that hanging them in the box is discouraging people from picking the pendants up and examining them.... In the art show business I believe people have to want to touch the jewelry. If they can't touch it they won't buy it. When the pendants hang in the box they are less touchable."

Jean makes an important point about displays that wind up making jewelry inaccessible to interested customers.

For customers, holding a piece of jewelry and examining it closely is one of the most important steps in buying it.

Fortunately, most people feel comfortable with picking up pieces of jewelry that can be easily removed from their display and put back again.

However, most customers won't "intrude" if there are any barriers to picking up the piece of jewelry.

For example, people are unlikely to remove other pieces of jewelry from a display in order to get to the piece they want to look at, or to unfasten / unwind jewelry from displays without your permission.

If they can't pick it up easily, they're much less likely to buy it.

That means your sales can decrease when there's even a small barrier to picking up a piece of jewelry.

So unless you're selling higher-value pieces that should be displayed in a more secure way (such as in a closed glass case), it's a good idea to make your jewelry as accessible to people as possible.

Here's my own general guideline, based on what I've observed in my customers at jewelry shows and parties:

If customers need to use more than one hand to remove a piece of jewelry from the display, they probably won't touch it.

So if you find that a display full of your jewelry isn't selling, take a moment to stand where your customers do.

See if there are any barriers (real or perceived) that might keep people from picking up these pieces with just one hand for a closer look.

P.S. - In her silverware chest jewelry display, Jean decided to try putting up a friendly sign next to her pendants, inviting her customers to pick up the jewelry!

Neat Jewelry-Related Website

This week's neat site, Hope Paige Designs, makes a difference in the world - in artistic, fashionable ways.

Hope Paige Designs began as a jewelry hobby but soon grew into a flourishing company, thanks to its main product line: stylish medical emergency bracelets that save lives while offering an alternative to standard plain med-alert bracelets.

The company also creates chic "awareness" accessories to help benefit various charities.

When artistry, fashion, and a good cause come together like this - it's a beautiful thing!

Sell Your Jewelry Online

Grow a solid base of online jewelry customers, using the step-by-step strategies you'll learn in my book Social Networking: Sell Your Jewelry Online the New Way.

Get this 192-page, step-by-step resource now, and start growing your customer base.

Network and Get Noticed
in the
Home Based Jeweler's Showcase

The Home Based Jeweler's Showcase blog is a free opportunity to promote your jewelry business and find other jewelry artists to network with.

It's published by Rita Juhlin of Private Stock Jewelry.

To add your jewelry business to the Showcase - please email Rita Juhlin, at HomeBasedJewelers @ gmail.com .

SURVEY:
How Can I Make This Newsletter
Better for You?

If you haven't yet responded to my quick survey, I welcome your input!

Please take the survey here to give me your suggestions and feedback so I can make this newsletter a better resource for you.

I grant as many wishes as possible! :o)

Thanks so much.

My Jewelry Business Websites
and RSS Feeds

This newsletter highlights some of the latest jewelry business tips and techniques from my websites:

Home Jewelry Business Success Tips

Jewelry Display Ideas

Making Jewelry Now

Jewelry Business Blog

Each of these sites also has its own RSS feed. Look for the orange RSS symbol on the left-hand column of each of these sites to get the feed.

Thanks so much for joining me
for this issue of
"Jewelry Business Success News"!

~ May your jewelry journey be fun and prosperous ~

Contact Rena