May 31, 2004

You may want to consider having a few jewelry pieces on display that are easy for people with arthritis to put on and take off. I've had many customers turn into repeat buyers because I try to have several styles with toggle clasps and other easy-to-use features.

May 29, 2004

Let your website visitors know where they can find your jewelry offline. If you sell your jewelry at shows or festivals, add a page to your site listing your upcoming show dates, places, and times.

Don't forget to update this page often to remove shows that have ended. Obviously outdated info like that makes visitors wonder whether anything else on your site is current!

If your work sells in shops or galleries, list the locations including their addresses, phone numbers, and website URLs.

May 28, 2004

When communicating with your jewelry customers via email, it's important to distinguish your message from all the spam garbage that fills everyone's inboxes. Your subject line and email text need to express a strong character that sets you apart and causes you to be remembered the next time your customers see your name in their inboxes.

May 27, 2004

I've just added an article on success tips for Girls' Birthday Bracelet Beading Parties. I've discovered that this is a fun, profitable, and very marketable niche to fill!

May 26, 2004

I often receive requests for jewelry for teenage girls, priced in the $12 - $20 range. From my experience, I'd say you'll make at least a couple of sales in this niche at every show you do!

May 24, 2004

Clothing catalogs are a wonderful research tool for jewelry artists (if we can resist the temptation to buy while we research!). You can keep up with upcoming fashion trends, colors, and accessory styles by browsing through clothing catalogs.

May 22, 2004

Many customers are very aware of the colors that complement their complexion and buy only clothes and jewelry in their best colors. So you may want to be sure you have jewelry for each "color season" - Winter complexions wear either blue-based colors or true colors; Summers are best in colors with blue, rose, or gray undertones; Autumns wear colors with golden tones; and Springs wear clear colors with yellow undertones.

Also, Winters and Summers look best in silver, while Autumns and Springs look best in gold.

May 20, 2004

I've just sent out the latest issue of "Jewelry Business Success News" to 695 subscribers. Our subcription list is growing fast! Don't miss a single information-packed issue. If you haven't subscribed yet, or would like to read the back issues, please visit the Jewelry Business Success News subscription page.

May 19, 2004

I'm pleased to bring you a great new article by guest author Sandy Paluzzi:

Price Points for Your Jewelry Line
Guest author Sandy Paluzzi details the strategy of offering jewelry at various price points to increase your chance of making a sale. Tips on determining price points for your jewelry line.

May 18, 2004

When choosing jewelry tools, always get the best quality you can afford. Cheap tools are hard on your hands and can cause repetitive stress injuries. Another advantage of choosing higher quality tools is that they're easier to use and can help you make your jewelry more quickly and pleasurably, with better final results.

May 17, 2004

If you teach jewelry making workshops to adults, be sure to bring a couple of magnifiers along. Many adults can't see small things up close and will have trouble with their jewelry workshop project without something to help them see it better. The magnifying glasses that prop up against your chest and have a cord you wear around your neck are a good hands-free visual assistant.

May 15, 2004

When selling your jewelry at home parties or shows, consider wearing solid-colored clothes. The jewelry in your displays will stand out better without competition from a patterned outfit, and any jewelry you wear will show to better advantage if your clothes are plain colored.

May 14, 2004

I'm honored to have been invited to be a regular columnist at The Bead Bugle! My first column, Ways to Increase Your Jewelry Business Income, Part 1, was published there today.

If you haven't yet visited The Bead Bugle, I highly recommend it; it's a great resource for beaders.

May 13, 2004

Intensive jewelry making sessions can be hard on your eyes, since you're spending a lot of time focusing on small things less than a foot away. You can compensate for this eyestrain by locating your jewelry studio area near a window, and making a point of looking up and gazing out at the distant view several times each hour.

May 12, 2004

It's a good idea to mentally prepare informal, interesting answers to questions about how you became a jewelry artist, how long you’ve been doing this, other places you sell your jewelry, what supplies and materials you use, how you make your jewelry, where you get your supplies, etc.

Whenever people see your jewelry at shows and home parties, or compliment you on the unique pieces you're wearing, they're interested in how you got where you are.

So think out some intriguing things to say about your art and what's unique about your business - make your craft sound appealing and valuable! It's a way of establishing a relationship with potential customers, which is an essential part of selling your work.

May 11, 2004

Instead of selling all your best jewelry creations, you may want to keep your favorites of the best pieces for yourself. Modeling some of your own finest jewelry art gives you the advantage of displaying your most outstanding work to a wide audience even when you're not at a show.

May 10, 2004

If you're thinking about having your jewelry business cards professionally printed, I came across a deal for 15% off business card printing, plus free shipping.

May 9, 2004

Handcrafted jewelry can be a wonderful currency for barter. At nearly every show, I trade some of my jewelry for other handcrafts - pottery, stained glass, wood carvings, paintings, etc. If you do barter, both parties should base the deal on the full retail price of the item(s) in question.

May 8, 2004

If you haven't already added body jewelry to your line, you may want to consider getting a piece of this lucrative pie. Embellish Some Wholesale Body Jewelry has tips on body jewelry for jewelry artists.

And to display these adornments, you'll find ideas in Body Jewelry Displays.

'Tis the season for these hot-selling styles!

May 5, 2004

It's a good idea to have photos of your jewelry on the home page of your website. Many people won't spend time clicking around to get to photos of your work, and if they can't see your jewelry right away they'll head to the next site. Jewelry is a very visual product, so give your visitors the eye-candy they want right away! :o)

May 2, 2004

Here is the latest article from guest author and eBay expert Cheryl Coccaro:

Packaging Your Winning Auctions -
How to package your jewelry auctions to enhance your winning bidder's impression of your business.

Cheryl's newest article has some great tips on packaging your jewelry for safe shipping and a professional appearance when it arrives in your auction customer's mailbox.

Thanks, Cheryl! :o)

April 30, 2004

Jewelry sells better if people can touch it. If a customer shows interest in one of your pieces, pick it up and put it in their hand. Encourage them to look closely while you point out some of the quality features. And mention some of the benefits of owning the piece - "This dichroic glass picks up the color of nearly anything you wear," or "The extender on this necklace lets you decide whether you want to wear it as a choker or a longer style."

April 28, 2004

Remember to bring a cloth to clean your mirrors when you do shows or home jewelry parties. Mirrors always get fingerprinted very quickly, but polishing them regularly lends your booth a subtle, ultra-clean sparkle.

April 27, 2004

I bring discreet foods to eat at my booth when I do shows. It's hard to sell to a customer who suddenly arrives at your booth when you're engulfed in a messy lunch or have just eaten something deliciously garlicky. Cheese and crackers, bottled water, grapes, soft granola bars, and carrot sticks are some of the booth foods that work well for me.

April 26, 2004

To keep children out of your jewelry display at shows, consider giving them some interesting small freebie they can take with them that will capture their attention. A tumbled stone, a large bead, or other little goodie can diplomatically save your jewelry while the parents browse through your display!

April 25, 2004

Here's a treat for your eyes - see some gorgeous designer gemstone cabochons cut and polished by our multi-talented guest author Mary Harvey.

Her latest beauties include unusual stones like rainbow cal silica (one of my favorites), willow creek jasper, royal savannah jasper, ocean wave agate, and ocean jasper.

April 24, 2004

If you feel like you've gotten in a rut with your jewelry designs and need fresh inspiration, take a break from thinking about jewelry and spend some time admiring artwork from other media.

For example, watercolor paintings can be inspirational for new color schemes in jewelry. A blacksmith's artwork can inspire new directions for wire jewelry. Pottery can help you see forms and shapes in a new light. Art history can give you ideas for historical themes and motifs to incorporate in your jewelry.

If you don't have access to museums or art galleries nearby, try the art books section of your library. You should find some wonderful books with lots of gorgeous color photos to inspire you. It's a fun and wonderful way to refill your creative reservoir!

April 23, 2004

If you're interested in selling your jewelry through consignment shops, I recommend starting out with only a few items for the first few months until you've developed a good relationship with the shop.

If the shop owner is easy to get in touch with, prompt in responding to your calls or emails, and on time with your checks, you are probably safe in consigning more jewelry there.

April 22, 2004

I've just sent out the latest and biggest-yet issue of "Jewelry Business Success News" to 531 subscribers. Our subcription list is growing fast! If you haven't subscribed yet, or would like to read the back issues, please visit the Jewelry Business Success News subscription page.

April 21, 2004

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 here 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.

Thanks, Sandy, for this very informative article! :o)

April 20, 2004

Be prepared for unexpected opportunities that can pop up for your jewelry business. It's a good idea to be armed with a few of your business cards at all times, and to wear at least one piece of your jewelry whenever you leave home.

April 19, 2004

I recommend leaving your physical address off your business cards, jewelry tags, earring cards, website, and any other marketing literature you have. That way you can avoid being a target for anyone who assumes that since you sell jewelry, you have gems and precious metals in your home that they can steal and profit from.

On most literature your e-mail address, phone number, and website URL are more than adequate to enable customers and shopowners to contact you. If you must use a mailing address, consider getting a P.O. box or renting a mailbox at a mailing store.

April 18, 2004

Local florist shops can be a good place to sell handcrafted jewelry. Your work is especially likely to do well in a florist shop at Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas. If you're able to establish a good relationship with a florist, this can be a good sales outlet for you.

April 16, 2004

I've just added a new article on selling your jewelry on eBay by guest author Cheryl Coccaro:

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 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.

April 13, 2004

One way to keep your jewelry supply costs down is to wait to place a supply order till you have a list of things you need. Shipping costs add up quickly with lots of small orders. I keep track of the jewelry supplies I'm running low on, using ongoing "shopping lists" for each of my regular suppliers. That way, when I'm ready to place an order I know I've included everything I need from that supplier. It's annoying to realize you forgot to include a supply you really need, the day after you placed your order!

Also, if I have to order a single supply item or two for a rush jewelry project, I can check my ongoing shopping list for that supplier and include the things I'm running low on at the same time to save on shipping.

April 12, 2004

Let your customers know what's special about your jewelry. In your website text, your marketing literature, and in person at shows / parties, take the opportunity to express what makes your work unique. Customers do want to know this information, and it definitely increases sales!

April 11, 2004

To keep your level of productivity high, end each day's jewelry-making session or website-building session by writing a list of tomorrow's priorities. That way when you sit down at your studio or computer the next day, you won't waste time figuring out where to begin with no momentum.

April 8, 2004

To our "Supplies and Tools" section, guest author Mary Harvey has added a helpful new article for anyone who works with gemstones:

How to Estimate Gemstone Carat Weight
Learn how to find the carat weight of gemstones, including stones that are too large for a 50-gram gem scale.

Good stuff! Thank you, Mary! :o)

April 5, 2004

I'm pleased to introduce our newest guest author, Amelia Thatcher. Her first article for us is loaded with insider information on selling handcrafted jewelry through different venues:

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.

It's a great article. Thank you, Amelia! :o)

April 4, 2004

To our Jewelry Business Website Success Tips section I've just added an interesting new article:

Website Design and the Importance of Color
Color is an extremely important factor in influencing customers' behavior and setting the mood of your site. Learn how to choose and use color as a powerful tool in your website design.

Great info whether you already have a jewelry website or are in the site planning stage!

April 3, 2004

To prevent your jewelry business phone calls from being answered by your family members, you may want to get a second phone number with a different ringing pattern. This is not a second phone line (which is much more expensive). My phone company calls this option "Ringmaster", and charges $5 per month for it. When my household hears a double phone ring instead of a single one, they know the call is for me!

April 2, 2004

Search engines will have an easier time finding all the pages on your jewelry website if none of your pages are more than two clicks from your home page. The deeper a page is in your website, the less likely it is to be indexed by search engines.

You are also more likely to keep your customers involved in your site by having all pages within two clicks of your home page. The more times a customer has to click around to find what they're looking for, the more likely they are to give up and click their Back button.

April 1, 2004

I got a lovely email from Terri, saying "I just stumbled upon your fabulous site. Thank you for havingthis out there for all of us to use. I will be here quite often!!!" Thanks for visiting, Terri! :o) Let me know if there's any jewelry business information you'd like to see that isn't part of this site yet.

For more great jewelry business tips and info, see our other blog entries:

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Previous jewelry business blog entries

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