Have an Earring Lunch - plus Four More Jewelry Business Ideas

by Lori Anderson
(Lori Anderson Designs)

Have an "Earring Lunch"

Usually I sell at juried craft shows and online, but I've gotten creative in the recent past. One of my favorite tips is to have an "Earring Lunch".

This worked out wonderfully with doctors' offices in the area.

I sent out an oversized postcard, color front and back, showcasing my earrings, and the call to action was to give me a call to request a lunch time jewelry show.

I would show up with several baskets of earrings, set the baskets out on the lunch tables, and let the ladies go wild.

The earrings are displayed on pretty paper, complete with a price and what materials they're made of, but then slipped inside plastic sleeves so nothing will damage the jewelry.

I use the paper displays at my shows, so keeping them clean of mustard or grease spots is important.

Why don't I set up the earrings on a rotating display or some other creative, traditional display? Speed.

These ladies have only a short amount of time to eat and shop and get back to taking care of patients, so about three baskets spreads things out nicely and I've found that people LOVE to rummage through things - plus it takes the stress off and no one ends up feelings like they're being forced to buy.

Use MOO and Business Cards Creatively

I've gotten creative with MOO cards and business cards, tying little buttons or beads to the them to make them stand out.


MOO cards (left) and business cards (right).

Have Memorable Packaging

I make sure to have great packaging - I don't know HOW many times my purple bags and pink boxes have gotten just as many comments as the jewelry!



I believe that you should have pride in jewelry from beginning to end, and that end is handing it over to their new owner.

Use Scratch-off Discounts

I use scratch-off stickers, like the ones used on lottery tickets, on the postcards I mail out. Scratch it off, and you get a code for a certain percentage off my web site.

It works particularly well when you give the lottery card out at the end of a show sale and the discount is for a future web site sale.

Surprise People with a Gift

Lastly, I believe in Karma Gifts. Sometimes a customer buys a bracelet and there's a pair of earrings that goes with it.

I don't know what it is about that person, but something about them makes me think, "give them the earrings for free."

And I can't tell you what that good feeling can do - it can carry you through a rough show a lot better than chocolate can!

Lori Anderson
Lori Anderson Designs
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