- Jewelry cleaning tip

- What's new at Home Jewelry Business Success Tips

- Article: How to Find Shows that Have No Other Jewelers

- Neat jewelry-related website to visit - Neckleash

Jewelry Cleaning Tip

Some of my readers have asked me for an inexpensive alternative to an ionic jewelry cleaner - something that removes tarnish, dirt, and oils but is safe to use on all jewelry. If you're not ready to invest in an ionic cleaner, I recommend Jewelry Joose. It's a liquid you spray on the jewelry (or soak really dirty or tarnished pieces in it), brush gently if necessary, and then rinse off and dry. It doesn't have abrasives or ammonia, it's safe for even antique jewelry, and it leaves your pieces sparkling. Keeping your jewelry as bright and shiny as possible is a key to increased sales!

What's new at
Home Jewelry Business Success Tips

Don't miss these great new articles that have been added to Home Jewelry Business Success Tips since the last issue of Jewelry Business Success News! -

First, I'm excited to present our newest guest author, Sandy Paluzzi of The Bead Peddler. Sandy is also editor of the online magazine Beading Times. Her first article for us covers a topic that jewelry artists are constantly considering and re-evaluating:

Pricing Your Goods
Guest author Sandy Paluzzi discusses different methods of pricing your jewelry. Learn how to determine the best pricing for your jewelry and market.

Questions to Ask Before You Sell on eBay
Do you know what research you should conduct before you sell on eBay? Guest author and eBay expert Cheryl Coccaro of Easy Internet Selling and My Perfect Ear explains how to analyze your competition's auction listings as well as your own. This information is also useful to analyze auctions when you're a buyer on eBay.

How to Estimate Gemstone Carat Weight
Guest author Mary Harvey of Custom Jewelry Supply explains how to find the carat weight of gemstones, including stones that are too large for a 50-gram gem scale.

Success Tips for Selling Jewelry via Shops, Shows, and Online
Guest author Amelia Thatcher interviews a variety of jewelry artists for insights on selling your jewelry through shops and galleries, at shows and festivals, on ebay and your own website. Includes considerations for pricing jewelry for your market.

Tips for Using eBay's TurboLister Auction Software
Cheryl Coccaro details how to access and use eBay's free TurboLister program to list your auctions quickly, easily, and professionally.

Tips for Setting up Multiple eBay Accounts
Cheryl Coccaro explains why setting up more than one eBay account is recommended to separate your buying and selling activities, and your business and personal auctions.

Birthstones
Do you know all of your birthstones? You have more than one. Here's a copyright-free list of four different kinds of birthstones: modern, traditional, cabochon, and zodiac stones.

Wedding Anniversary Stones
A copyright-free listing of anniversary stones up to the 80th wedding anniversary. Alternate stones included. Customers love this stuff, and it enhances your image as an expert if you provide it to them! Please feel free to post this information on your website, or print it out to give your customers at your booth or your jewelry making workshops.

NARU - eBay Auction Account Suspension
Cheryl Coccaro describes how to reduce your risk of becoming "not a registered user" on eBay, and what to do when conducting a transaction with someone whose account is suspended. Also how to safeguard your eBay account. This article has important information about your eBay account, whether you're a buyer or a seller.

How to Find Shows that Have No Other Jewelers

Selling your handcrafted jewelry at shows can be difficult when you have a lot of competition. Although some show organizers are careful to have a good mix of vendors, it's not uncommon for other shows to have 20% or more of the booths filled with jewelry - which is a buyer's market and a seller's disappointing show.

Before signing up for any show, ask the promoter how many other jewelers will have booths. And if possible, find out what kinds of jewelry will be represented at the show. Even if you have to dig a little for this information, it's worthwhile to find out in advance whether the show is likely to be profitable for you.

Jewelry is - and probably always will be - one of the most popularly purchased handcrafts. You can easily get your fair share of this huge pie by finding less competitive shows for selling your work. Here are some suggestions for shows where you can find eager buyers and likely no other jewelry vendors:

Local Expos and Events

Many organized events in your area involve wholesale or retail vendors selling their products in booths. These events are usually well promoted and attended, and are not likely to have other jewelers. Examples of this type of event include a women's career expo, a home improvement show, a health fair, a business expo, and virtually any trade show.

Other unusual events that are great prospects for selling jewelry without competition include historic re-enactments, car club shows, gun and knife shows, garden shows, spring or fall fashion shows, motorcycle rallies (motorcyclists are among the best and biggest-spending jewelry customers you'll find!), music competitions (like a battle of the bands or a bluegrass festival) and women's club meetings (you will likely be welcomed to give a talk about your craft and then sell your jewelry).

To find out about events like these well in advance, or to locate clubs or groups that would welcome your jewelry presentation and show, call your local tourism commission and chamber of commerce. Ask for their recommendations, and most importantly, request to be put on their mailing lists of upcoming events. When you receive the listings, carefully consider each event for its potential as a jewelry show opportunity.

Your Own Shows

With a little more work, you can organize your own jewelry shows where you can be certain you'll be the only jeweler. Examples of these are jewelry home parties, open studio sales at your studio or home, and fundraiser shows. You can also cooperate with other artists or vendors to set up bigger shows, and profit from each other's customer lists.

The main key to success with doing your own shows is to be sure the event is well publicized if it's open to the public, or that you personally phone and remind each invitee if it's a private sale or party. The higher the attendance, the higher your sales.

Visit How to Put on Your Own Jewelry Shows and Parties for success tips on organizing your own jewelry sales events.

Neat jewelry related site

Here's an excellent example of how beautifying a useful item can result in a best-selling product. Neckleashes are an innovative and fashionable solution for wearing badges, ID cards, keys, passport cases, etc. Designs are available for men, women, and children. What a nice alternative to wearing a plain black cord around your neck!

Visit the Jewelry Business Blog

Stop by the Jewelry Business Blog for the latest tips and information about the business of jewelry art! And feel free to post any questions or tips of your own - just use the form at the bottom of the blog to post your comments; I'll add them when I do the next blog update.