Jewelry Business Blog
April 2005
© by Rena Klingenberg; all rights reserved
The Jewelry Business Blog has essential jewelry business tips, information, questions, answers, and news that you won't find anywhere else!
April 30, 2005 Beads are neat for a lot of reasons - one of which is the fact that if you don't like what you've made with them, you can always take your project apart and re-use the beads in a different way. I'm working on doing that right now. About two years ago, I created a line of bead bracelets that sold well - all except for the last few bracelets. No matter how artistically I arranged these bracelets in my display, or much I marked them down for clearance, they just sat there without selling. Meanwhile, I've got a newer line of bead bracelets that sell quickly. So I decided to unstring those non-selling bracelets, and redesign them into bracelets that more closely resemble the new fast-selling line. And that gave me this idea: The next time you're running low on jewelry making supplies, comb through your inventory of finished bead jewelry. What's been in your inventory for a long time but hasn't sold? If you took apart some of your pieces that haven't been selling and used the beads, findings, etc. to make different pieces, would that be enough to keep you going for awhile, without placing an order now? April 29, 2005 Jewelry Sighting: Men's Necklaces - Men's necklaces are extremely popular right now. Guys of all ages, from grade school through adult, are sporting necklaces of every description. Last week when I saw the new movie "Sahara", I mentally took design notes on the ruggedly fashionable choker-style necklaces worn by the film's two male leads (Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn). I'd say this is a trend to stay on top of! Guys are increasingly accessory-conscious, and men's necklaces appear to be here to stay. April 29, 2005 Trend: Women Buying More Jewelry for Themselves - According to this article in National Jeweler, "Eighty percent of [women] surveyed say they are likely to purchase jewelry for themselves any time they see something they like, with more than half likely to do so while shopping for jewelry for others, creating a selling opportunity for retailers, says JCOC. Nearly half of those surveyed say they purchase fine jewelry for themselves for no special reason, and just over 21% would do so to add to their collections. Almost 42% of respondents say advertisements influence their decisions." April 28, 2005 Mother's Day has always been one of the best jewelry sales occasions of the year. And according to this report in National Jeweler, an increasing amount of jewelry is being purchased for Mother's Day gifts. April 27, 2005 Custom Jewelry: Design Something Better than What They Asked for - As a small, independent business owner you are perfectly positioned to fill custom jewelry orders at a level that the Walmarts and Zales Jewelers of the world can't. You can create what your customers ask for - but better than they could have imagined! You won't have to convince your jewelry fans that they want your designs, because you'll be providing an artistic version of the features they already know they'd like to have. And providing this level of customization is a great way to net some very profitable add-on sales. The keys are: - provide customers with something one-of-a-kind that's better than what they asked for
- make it something that they won't be able to find anywhere else.
In fact, one of the main reasons people buy jewelry from you instead of from a major jewelry store is because they want something unique. Here's one way to do it. For example, say your customer asks for "a pearl and garnet necklace". Now, you could just alternate some pretty rice pearls with 4mm garnet round beads and finish them off with a lobster clasp to create a pleasant but unremarkable necklace. And your customer would probably be happy with it.... But - they could probably buy that same ordinary design from pretty much anyone else who makes jewelry. They might even be able to find one like it at Walmart or Zales. And an ordinary design won't make you stand out as the gifted jewelry artist who made an exquisite custom necklace that they love and that people constantly comment on. So instead, how about taking this customer's request to the next level of design and customer service. You could use the customer's request for a garnet and pearl necklace as the springboard to a beautifully unique jewelry set that's beyond anything they imagined. For example, you could use a large, dramatic, horizontally strung stick pearl as the focal bead of the necklace, with garnet rondells making up the rest of the strand on both sides of the pearl. Add a long, lovely extender chain with a mother-of-pearl heart dangling from its end, and an unusual (possibly handmade) clasp. "Wow!" your customer will say. "This is beautiful - it's so unusual!" Now why not have some one-of-a-kind matching pieces to show your customer while she's raving over the necklace? How about a bracelet with some of the same garnet rondells grouped in the center, and potato pearls making up the rest of the strand on each side of the garnets? Keeping the pearls and garnets separate instead of alternating them increases their impact and drama, and keeps them in tune with the necklace. Add a neat clasp, and then the crowning touch: An extender chain with a mother-of-pearl heart dangle - that perfectly matches the necklace. When your customer sees the bracelet, she will most likely know that she *needs* to have it too. It just belongs with the necklace - and she'll never see another one just like it if she doesn't get it now. :o) Oh, yes, and don't forget the earrings - a pair of pretty stick pearls swinging from earwires. They're simple and beautiful, and they match the other two pieces better than anything your customer could ever find elsewhere. Don't forget to mention that these plain, lovely stick pearls will match everything in her closet. Because these three pieces are unique, your customer will want to get all three. They go together perfectly, and because they're one-of-a-kind, she feels motivated to buy them now while they're still available. So now instead of selling one necklace, you've just sold a necklace, bracelet, and earring set. And your customer is completely thrilled. How do I know this is true? Because I just sold this exact jewelry set to a customer who asked for a pearl and garnet necklace. :o) Customers love knowing that what they want is of primary importance to you - and that their requests result in gorgeous, unusual custom jewelry they won't find anywhere else. You can bet they'll be back for more - bringing friends to your shows and placing custom orders. April 26, 2005 How do you design an effective jewelry display for your most expensive pieces? This tip on displaying platinum jewelry provides some food for thought. Reader Comment: Thanks for the link. I often wonder myself about the best colors for displaying jewelry. Now, if cool colors work for displaying platinum, could they work for silver, too? I currently display on primarily black w/ a few white necklace busts for accent, but I'm considering more white. It seems that most jewelry stores display on white. Can't argue w/ what works!
-From Jessica of FunkyJunkie. April 26, 2005 Impulse Jewelry Purchases can Pay Off Big for the Artist - At an art show last weekend I tried something new that turned out to be unexpectedly profitable. I filled an interesting wooden box with small $3 jewelry trinkets, and placed it at the leading corner of my booth. My plan was to capture the attention of passersby with the trinket box, so they'd stop and look at my other jewelry. Although my intended audience for these little wearable trinkets was teenagers and adults, it turned out that children LOVED them - and their parents were happy to find something under $5 they could buy for their children at the art show. So I wound up selling enough of these little impulse-purchase items to pay for most of my booth fee! ( Most went to children, but some did go to teens and adults too.) And they did work to draw customers on into the rest of the booth to look at our other things. So, although it may not be appropriate for every art show, I recommend considering what you could make quickly and cheaply enough to sell for under $5. Perhaps you have some orphan beads, wire scraps, or other leftovers that could be used up this way? Whatever you design, be sure it's something that's appropriate for children to wear or use. See Jewelry Gifts Under $20 for a ton of tips and ideas related to this! Reader Comments: I have had the same wonderful experience as described. When I do "Shows" I have several decorative boxes at each of the corners of my booth. First the Box catches their eye, then the jewelry, then the price. I call them my "Treasure Chests." People just love looking for "Treasure." I also have a special large oval basket with low sides (easy access for kids) full of inexpensive little girls jewelry. While the little girls are occupied sorting through their "Treasure Basket", it gives the Mom even more time to shop. With more free time for Mom, the more she can look and spend. Not to mention the extra sale for the little girl jewelry. Plus, it is so much fun to watch both Mom and Daughter each leave carrying/wearing their purchase together!
- From Angela Cole. I read it here first! Just wanted to thank Rena for the treasure chest idea. I read it a while back and have used it consistantly now for almost a year, and WOW what a difference. I never have trouble making booth cost as the treasure chest usually gets me there. I have all sizes and prices of "dichroic drops", which by the way, come with a FREE satin cord for immediate wear :). These little gems are sorted through by everyone that comes to my booth! In fact, it stops them! It went so well that I got another larger, more shallow treasure chest that I call the "value chest" where I put all the items I've discontinued. The original price is left on, each piece is put in a small plastic bag with the "value" price marked on a bright sticker. These items go like hot cakes especially around the holidays when gift giving is so prevelent! Thanks Rena, this idea has been a blessing for me at really slow shows!!
- From Cindy of CC Creations. Thanks for the reminder, Rena. I actually did this by impulse at a home holiday sale last year. I knew there would be children coming and wanted something their Mom's could buy for them that was affordable. But... I forgot all about this idea and wasn't thinking of implementing it at an upcoming show! Thanks for the reminder as well as everyone who added to your thoughts.
- From Mahala of Crystal Lotus Jewelry. April 25, 2005 I mentioned that I use black stackable plastic trays in My Jewelry Display for Shows and Parties. A reader named Steph inquired where I get these stacking jewelry trays - and the answer is that I got mine out of the Rio Grande Jewelry Supply displays catalog (phone 800-545-6566). I'm sure other suppliers have them too - I use the standard 14-3/4" x 8-1/4" x 1-1/2" size. I think they're sometimes also called "sample trays". They're also wonderful for other uses in your jewelry business. You can keep a partly finished project safely in one of these trays - in fact, you could stack up several individual projects, each in its own tray. Use one of these stacking trays when cleaning your jewelry - the plastic can handle getting damp, and is easy to wipe off afterward. You can use one of these trays for carrying a jewelry project plus related supplies and tools from one room to another, or outside to work on the porch swing. April 23, 2005 Do you practice Feng Shui when it comes to designing your jewelry booth, studio, and displays? (Feng Shui is the Chinese practice of arranging elements to achieve the greatest harmony and balance.) It's a fascinating topic, and something you may want to consider when planning your jewelry business spaces. I recently came across an article on Feng Shui and art/craft businesses. April 22, 2005 Your own custom earring cards and jewelry tags are an important, professional packaging touch for handcrafted jewelry. They are one of the things that provide the unique ambience that draws people to purchase handmade items. If you're thinking about designing or making your own, you'll find lots of related tips in my article, Jewelry Tags and Earring Cards. And reader named Candy wrote in to mention that her earrings which remained on her handmade earring cards tarnished over the winter - so thanks to her notifying me of this, I'm adding a tip to the above mentioned article: Be sure to use acid-free cardstock when you make your own jewelry tags and earring cards! Thank you so much for this tip, Candy. :o) Reader Comment: Tip for maximizing the use of your cardstock, if you are printing your own earring cards and business cards, put them on the same page. Put several earring tags on the top part of the paper, and then 3 biz cards across the bottom. That way you have new biz cards everytime you print earring tags. |tag | tag| tag| tag|
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| card | card | card | Just make sure that you can make a straight cut across the page, to seperate biz cards from earring tags, then cut earring tags apart.I learned this tip from my local printer, who is helping me to save $$, and do it right the first time, instead of spending money doing it wrong. He knows that then I will be back when I need my color brochure done later. - From Judy "Every bead is a morning prayer for you" Menting. April 22, 2005 Jewelry Customers Love a Bargain - Customers love to feel like they shopped well and got a great deal on something they purchased. At a show last weekend, I had two jewelry trays filled with inexpensive gemstone bead earrings with sterling silver earwires that I'm discontinuing. They were mounted on my earring cards, and then and placed inside individual mini-ziplock baggies. I clearance priced them at "50% off - now $8.00" - plus the opportunity to get one free if you buy 5. I put them out in the trays at the leading edge of my table, with an enticing sign. These clearance earrings got a lot of action! People love to rummage through sale items, and lots of folks happily sorted through all the earrings in the trays to find their great bargain. Some people bought only one pair of discount earrings, but many came to check out with six pairs - they couldn't pass up the chance to save money on five and get one free. :o) And several customers came on in and examined the rest of the display after rummaging for discount earrings, picking up some regularly priced jewelry to buy along with their great bargain. April 21, 2005 Reader Question: I am just starting my home jewelry business, and planning on approaching boutiques and galleries in my area for sales. I was wondering, how do most people find it is easiest to transport pieces to show in a meeting with a prospective gallery or boutique buyer? I am ordering a carrying case and the stackable trays, but am wondering how people find it looks best to "package" necklaces and earrings to look most professional? Do most people just place a pair of earrings or necklace in one of the tray insert compartments and then pull each one out individually to display to a buyer, or do people set them up / display them differently within the tray itself? Answer from Rena: In my experience, most shop owners seem pressed for time when looking over your jewelry, even when you have an appointment. So it's a good idea to be sure that your display system doesn't involve any unnecessary time in pulling things out of bags, boxes, etc. For earrings, I mount them on my custom earring cards to keep them from rolling around, and put each carded pair in a cardboard jewelry box. The box is just for display purposes, and doesn't accompany the earrings as part of the sale. It just gives a professional appearance and keeps them all lined up on the tray without jumbling into a pile during transport. That way the shop owner can quickly scan the entire collection with no wasted time. For necklaces, take a look at the necklace rolls offered by FetPak and Rio Grande, and see whether something like that would work for your own necklace styles. Hope this helps, and best of luck to you! :o) April 20, 2005 Here's a brand new article from one of our most popular guest authors, Cheryl Coccaro. Cheryl is the author of the definitive guide to selling jewelry and other items on eBay, "Easy Internet Selling". She is also the creator of My Perfect Ear, a unique and eye-catching earring display. Her latest article for us: Success Secret
What's the success secret for achieving your jewelry business dreams? Guest author Cheryl Cocarro details how to put aside perfectionism and "just get it going!" to accelerate your jewelry business success. Thank you for this, Cheryl! There is a project I've been subconsciously been putting off "till I understand the process better" - but I'm going to tackle it now. :o) April 19, 2005 What boosts your creativity and creative thought process? The three things I find that really open my mind are: - meditation
- a long walk, especially alone and away from traffic
- running water - in the shower or while washing dishes.
April 17, 2005 Here's something I read recently that can really boost your jewelry business: Every few months step back and examine what part of your business is slowing you down. Figure out how to fix it. Then do it. Simple and powerful. April 15, 2005 Chaos can be wonderful for creativity. Some of my best jewelry designs have resulted from seeing unusual colors of beads juxtaposed on my studio table when I hadn't put things away for awhile! April 13, 2005 I often mention my jewelry buddy, Laura Graham, and all the ways our collaboration has made my jewelry business so much better. Here's a neat article about the synergy of jewelry buddies, from new guest author Lori Sandstedt of Linkage: Midlife Collaboration Creates Symbolic, Authentic "Linkage"
How can two baby boomer jewelry artists make the year they both turn 50 into a spiritual milestone? By working together to create "Linkage," a fashion accessory that helps a charitable cause. Thanks for sharing your wonderful collaboration with us, Lori and Jennifer! :o) April 13, 2005 I have a treat for you - a great new Jewelry Business Success Story: Amy Peters' Studio
With her jewelry in over 600 shops and catalogs, worn by celebrities, and seen in magazines and on TV, designer Amy Peters is a wonderful example of jewelry business success on a large scale. Here she shares tips for achieving your own jewelry business dreams. Thank you so much, Amy, for your generosity in sharing your success story with us! :o) April 10, 2005 Turquoise jewelry is HOT-HOT-HOT again this year! Returning guest author Sherry Matsen of Estate Jewelry International takes us on a voyage of this ever-popular stone: Turquoise Jewelry - lore and legend
Turquoise jewelry has been fashionable for over 6000 years. Its lore and legend make this beautiful, captivating stone a must-have item in beads, cabochons, and jewelry. Description of common turquoise treatments such as wax treatment, stabilizating, reconstituting. April 9, 2005 Is a layaway plan right for your jewelry business? Find out what's involved: A Layaway Plan for Your Jewelry - should you consider this payment option?
A layaway plan can increase your jewelry sales by offering customers an installment payment option, but it requires extra time and paperwork from you. Layaway policy recommendations; example layaway forms. April 9, 2005 Gaile from the UK wrote in to ask how to get a great crimp with crimp beads, and whether crimping pliers are really necessary. She mentioned that she's using higher quality crimp beads - which is definitely one of the keys to a professional crimp! Yes, you'll get the best looking crimps if you use crimping pliers. And Beadalon has a nifty and very helpful animated tutorial showing how to use crimp beads. Just click "play" when you get to the tutorial to watch this neat lesson! April 7, 2005 A reader named Stephanie wrote in with a question about becoming a jewelry distributor for Silpada, one of the commercial jewelry lines that are usually sold through home parties. She mentioned that one of the downsides to doing that would be that she wouldn't be permitted to sell her own handcrafted jewelry. While I can't tell a jewelry artist how to decide which road to take, I'd strongly recommend asking your own heart this question and seeing what *feels* right inside. Do you feel more inspired by the idea of creating and selling your own designs, or by representing a company's jewelry line? April 5, 2005 With temperatures on the rise (or soon to rise, depending on where you live), customers will be looking for summer jewelry styles. Warm weather jewelry like surfer necklaces, anklets, toe rings, and waist chains will be in demand. And it's the best time of year for selling body jewelry; see embellishing wholesale body jewelry,
Body Jewelry - Enhancing the Body's Beauty, and
body jewelry displays for tips on profiting from the hugely popular body jewelry market. April 3, 2005 Here's a good way to increase your profits on custom jewelry orders: Offer to make additional pieces to match the custom order. For example, if a customer commissions a special bracelet, offer to design matching earrings, necklace, or other pieces to wear with the bracelet. You'd be surprised how often people are thrilled to have custom jewelry sets - but would not have thought of the additional pieces without your suggestion. And if the person commissioning the custom jewelry is having it made for a gift, suggest that they have matching pieces made to give to the lucky recipient on the next gift-giving occasion. Gentlemen are especially relieved to have the next gift occasion taken care of so far in advance! :o) April 1, 2005 Do you make jewelry when you do shows, or elsewhere away from home? A convenient, compact way to bring jewelry making supplies on the road is in one of those small rubbermaid or sterilite boxes with pull-out drawers. I have one with three drawers that works very well for away-from-home jewelry making. The top drawer houses a selection of cabochons, beading wire, crimp beads, clasps, and a few other small goodies. The middle drawer contains various gauges of wire. And the bottom drawer has my tool collection. As an accompaniment, I toss several baggies of my newest beads and a smallish beadboard in a separate small box, and I'm ready to make jewelry anywhere the road takes me! Return to current month's Jewelry Business Blog. Return to all Jewelry Business Blog Archives. Return to Home Jewelry Business Success Tips home page.
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