Getting Your Jewelry Designs to the Mass Market

by Anne Rush
(Savvy Anne)

"How can independent designers get their work to the mass market without being 'knocked off' in the name of 'inspiration' by greedy corporate buyers attending craft shows?

We would love to know if there are agencies which work with freelance designers and help sell their creations for mass production."

This is a great question asked by my friend "J" in response to my last article, Designing Jewelry in the Corporate World.

What can you do to turn this obviously negative behavior within our industry into a positive for yourself?

The importance
of the designer's story

I agree that in the past the goal of many corporate creative merchants in attending craft shows was to find fresh ideas to inspire their own ideas.

I have no doubt that some of them did knock off designs without missing a beat.

However, over the past 10 years I have seen a significant change in the approach of industry executives when looking for the next best idea.

It's not that they have suddenly found some scruples so much as that the business of having unique products for the consumer is hinging more and more on 'designer names'.


So perhaps when you see that corporate buyer walking past the next time, you might embrace the opportunity that it offers you to market yourself and your line in an exclusive and unique way for them.

After all, if you make him/her a success at finding the next designer to introduce to a greater audience you will also help yourself.

How can you show
this unique story at your booth
so that you stand out?

Try this:

• Take a look at the showcases in Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's.


• These stores do smaller collections that focus on specific designers that they have found sometimes at trade shows.


• See the price points they have and the way the collection is about a specific designer's style of work.


• Try to categorize in a list each designer you see.


• Would you describe each designer as classic, trendy, edgy, colorful, or eclectic?


• What category of look would your style fit into?

Here's what that information can tell you:

• If your style fits into none of these descriptions then maybe there is a niche in the store for your look.


• If you fit into one, but there is only one other designer with that look, there may be room in the store for your interpretation.


• Do your prices fit into the prices at the store? If so, good. If not, edit your product for price.


• Remember you need to think about what you can add to the buyer's world, not what she can do for you.


• If you are able to make statements like, "my line has a vibe similar to Chan Luu, but my style is bolder and I use resin shapes that are hand carved in my studio". This shows that you understand what will sell for the buyer, as well as what you can offer to her customer that is totally fresh.


• It is never a bad thing to show you have researched the buyer's environment.

Getting your jewelry noticed
by the industry

The best way to get noticed for your work is to find an independent sales representative who can exhibit your line at the major trade shows in the industry.

Good shows to be a part of:

• JCK in Las Vegas and in New York.


• Accessories the Show in New York.


• The Atlanta Gift Fair.

If you attend these shows you can walk right up to these reps and ask if they are looking for more designers, or if they can give you a lead on someone else they could recommend.

As far as I know there are no agencies that work with freelance designers to promote that designer's own work.

I do know of agencies like 24/7 in New York that represent freelance designers for the industry to work on projects for people like myself when the workload is large or a specific kind of style is needed for a project.

This kind of freelance work requires a designer to fill the needs of the client with a look that suits his or her brand.

This is when your personal taste must not interfere with the job.

Getting your jewelry
in fashion magazines

I can also recommend trying to submit your work to fashion magazine accessory editors. You'll need to study the publication first to see if your products are a 'fit' for the editor's creative style.

You can send your product sample with a pre-paid return package enclosed as well.

If your timing is right for a photo shoot, or works well with a trend she is showing then you may get some free press for your jewelry.

Make sure to include what the piece is made of, the price, and where a customer can purchase it—as well as website information.

Again, understand what you can do for the editor, not what you want to gain from her. In this way you will be able to increase your chances of gaining some press.

What other questions
do you have?

Your questions push me to reflect on my role in the creative corporate world.

I am one of the few Creative executives that began her career as an artist and studied the craft of metals and jewelry design.

So my heart is always with the designer and how to bring that unique energy to the consumer. After all, everyone deserves great design.