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Jewelry Business BlogDecember 2005
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December 30, 2005
Ribbon Necklace Style for Spring
With the new year fast approaching, it's time for jewelry artists to focus on Spring 2006 jewelry ideas.
One lovely and lighter look for warm weather is a single focal bead or pendant strung on organza ribbon.
No clasp is needed - simply tie the ribbon in a pretty bow in front or back.
December 28, 2005
A Ring Shank that Fits the Finger, Not the Knuckle
Here's an interesting innovation. Instead of selling rings that are sized to slide over the wearer's knuckle, Superfit, Inc. makes rings with a hinged shank that allows the ring to open completely and then close securely, for a perfect fit at the base of the finger.
The company says it has also retrofitted around 100,000 rings with this innovative shank.
Their hot new product is "Toe-Bling" rings that incorporate their trademark hinged shank. According to Superfit, this mechanism "creates the most wonderful, perfectly fitting and perfectly comfortable toe ring in the world."
Superfit also makes their hinged ring shanks available to bench jewelers.
December 27, 2005
A Jewelry Line is Born
I'm pleased to bring you a fascinating new article by our newest guest author, Deira Gerritsen of Body Rocks Jewellery:
How an Inspiration Became a Jewelry Line
A jewelry line is born when guest author Deira Gerritsen is inspired by what's missing in the jewelry stalls of Hong Kong's famous Pearl and Jade market.
December 26, 2005
Stolen Jewelry Website
Stolen Jewelry is a new website created by Jewelers' Security Alliance. The site is dedicated to the recovery of stolen jewelry, gems, and watches in the U.S.
Stolen Jewelry is intended to be a comprehensive resource for info regarding stolen and recovered jewelry, gems and watches.
To have stolen or recovered jewelry items posted on the site, you'll have to first file a police report, and then send photos, descriptions, and inventories to:
JSA
6 East 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
For more info, you can email:
December 24, 2005
Christmas Gifts
Take a moment to think back on the jewelry you've sold this fall - all the gifts people have chosen to give from your handcrafted work.
On Christmas morning, I always have a thrill when I think of so many people opening my jewelry that they're receiving as gifts from other people that day!
I feel honored that my customers believe in my work enough to consider it a worthy gift to their loved ones - that pieces I've created with my hands and heart are being used as symbols of love from one person to another.
December 22, 2005
Clever Product Labeling
Many years ago I worked in package design and label editing for a small personal care products company. One of the strongest lessons I took with me from that job is the psychological power of product packaging.
For example, In the lotion aisle of the store, you can come across two containers of body lotion, made from essentially identical recipes. But the packaging alone can convince you that one of the lotions is worth $5 more than the other one. It's actually a fascinating thing to study when you go through the health and beauty section of a store.
Anyway, products that are positioned as more luxurious (expensive) items also have carefully worded labels. Words carry tremendous power, and a slight change in the voice of a product label can make a big difference in how you perceive the product - and in how much the company can successfully charge for it.
Here's an example - and actually it's what inspired this whole post:
I recently got a sample of a facial moisturizer that's positioned as an expensive, luxury personal care item. (However, I personally would compare its ingredients to those of similar, lower priced moisturizers before buying it.)
Something in the instructions on the label of this facial moisturizer caught my eye -
"Smooth a pearl-sized amount all over face."
My first thought was, "is that a 4mm or an 8mm pearl?"
But my second thought was that I've read labels that direct the user to apply a pea-sized amount, or a dime-sized amount, etc. - but never a "pearl-sized amount".
So by making the customer picture a strand of pearls (rather than peas or dimes) in relation to their product, the company very cleverly communicates a subconscious message that this moisturizer should be worth more than its neighboring products on the store shelf.
It's something to keep in mind when you write product literature for your jewelry and your business!
December 20, 2005
A Jewelry Marketing Tip from McDonald's
While eating lunch to-go from McDonald's the other day, I read something on the take-out bag that reminded me of a jewelry marketing tip.
(And no, it wasn't "Please recycle".) :o)
Here's the jewelry marketing tip:
You can make extra sales just by having a sign at your booth mentioning that jewelry makes a great gift, and suggesting possible "giftees" (grandmother, teacher, aunt, babysitter, etc.).
And (if you're curious) here's what the McDonald's bag said, regarding their own gift certificate cards, that made me think of this:
"Give to anyone:
The homeroom teacher
That guy named Chuck
Your hairstylist
Uncle Bob
Neighbor whose lawnmower you broke
Or even yourself."
December 19, 2005
Show Your Jewelry Online without a Website - a reader tip
Want to show your jewelry but find starting your own website daunting?
I began to show my jewelry using a blog format. Easy to update, upload your own photo's and also to track traffic to your site.
You won't be able to set up ecommerce using a blog format, but you can quickly get the word out, show your line to people all over the world and gain exposure.
Good Luck!
Tip from Deira of Body Rocks Jewellery.
December 17, 2005
Bead Show Survival Tips - a new guest article
Bead Show Tips
Attending a bead show can be a fantastic but overwhelming experience. Faced with 200+ bead vendors, where do you start? How do you keep from overspending? How do you know the beads you come home with will go with the ones you already have? How can you lug all your purchases around for hours? How do you keep track of the vendors you decide to buy from online later? You'll enjoy guest author Kathy Reading's fantastic bead show survival tips!
A new article by Kathy Reading of Catju Designs.
December 16, 2005
Protect Your Fingers in the Studio - a reader tip
My fingers take a lot of abuse in the studio - abrasion from polishing wheels, splashes of pickling acid, nicks when I slip with a tool (ouch), and lots and lots of washing. They end up cracked and sore, and also really ugly.
I have found commercial products like 'alligator skin' and leather fingertips to be awkward and also they do not provide a moisture barrier when you have a cut or cracked fingertip. So what do I use?
Blue painter's tape. It sticks to your fingers but comes off without leaving a residue, does not irritate open cuts, and protects from water, pickle, abrasion, you name it. I wrap my thumb, forefinger & also the middle finger when polishing with buffing wheels. You don't get the black crud buildup, the heat or the abrasion.
This tape is also useful as a mask on jewelry when you have final details to fix with a tool but don't want to risk a scratch. It doesn't leave a sticky residue on the metal nor does it remove patinas (like Liver of Sulfur.)
You can get the tape anywhere they sell painting supplies (3M's version is blue.) I couldn't get by without it!
Tip from Linda of Atelier Frue.
December 15, 2005
Jewelry Business Success News #32 is out
Jewelry Business Success News, Issue #032, "Holiday Home Jewelry Show Tips", has gone out to email subscribers and is now available via the above link on the back-issue page.
Enjoy! :o)
December 12, 2005
Your Jewelry Website Shopping Cart
Here's something to note if you sell your jewelry online:
"Cart abandonment" - customers leaving your site without purchasing anything, after filling their shopping cart with your products - is on the rise.
The biggest reason for cart abandonment is customers receiving an unpleasant shock when they see their shipping charges, which often are not calculated until the final checkout. You can reduce cart abandonment on your jewelry website by offering free shipping, one-low-price shipping, or posting your shipping charges on your site's home page so customers won't be surprised at checkout.
December 10, 2005
Gold Prices Soar
LONDON (Reuters) - Gold fever took prices as high as $530.40 an ounce for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century on Friday as investors, particularly in Asia, rushed to buy an asset that has gained over 16 percent in the past month.
"This buying is just more of the same of what we have been seeing. I suspect also that it may be central bank buying that is supporting it on the dips," Paul Merrick of RBC Capital Markets said.
"Gold's rally seems relentless and it feels as if it wants to continue higher" despite prices standing at technically overbought levels, said James Moore, an analyst at TheBullionDesk.com.
Spot gold changed hands at $526.50/527.20 an ounce in New York, up from $519.50/520.30 last quoted on Thursday. The metal has soared roughly $75, or 16.4 percent, since November 7.
Gold's tight supply, strong global demand, worries about inflation and growing fund interest in precious metals and other commodities have unleashed a wave of speculative buying, defying warnings that the market was overbought.
"The activity in the bullion market remains very impressive, with aggressive buying of any dips and a dearth of selling in the rallies helping to create a bullish chart pattern of higher lows and higher highs, thereby attracting more momentum-based fund buying," Alan Williamson of HSBC said.
Fund managers were buying as part of a strategy to diversify portfolios, while some investors were speculating about potential purchases from some of the word's central banks -- previously long-time sellers.
"I strongly believe that Asia and China are buying -- but we will not know until they've finished buying or are close to it, for sure," said Juerg Kiener, chief investment officer at Singapore-based hedge fund Swiss Asia Capital, referring to central banks in the region.
A spokesman at the China Gold Exchange said: "We have encouraged the Bank of China to buy more gold, or if not, to relax the barriers and allow more Chinese people to do so."
However, he said he was not aware of the central bank's policy on the matter.
In November Russia, Argentina and South Africa expressed interest in increasing their gold holdings, even though European central banks have sold more than 100 tonnes since September.
COMEX February gold at the New York Mercantile Exchange rose $7.50, or 1.4 percent, at $530.20 an ounce. The day's high, at $534.30, was the loftiest for futures since April 1981.
December 09, 2005
Where Should You Sell Your Jewelry?
Where Should I Sell My Jewelry?
Tips for researching your local area and nearby towns for all the possible places you might be able to sell your jewelry.
A new article by Lenna Green, author of "How to Make Money from Beading and Jewelry Making".
December 07, 2005
Profitable Jewelry Lines
Over time, you'll probably find that you have a particular jewelry item or line that is your "bread-and-butter". It's the thing you sell a lot of, that you can price for an excellent profit margin - yet your cost is low enough that this item becomes the backbone of your jewelry business income.
Having a couple of bread-and-butter lines enables you to play around with more creative and time-consuming work that's less profitable but more creatively rewarding.
One line you may want to experiment with that can yield excellent bread-and-butter items for you is jewelry gifts under $20.
Keep experimenting till you find the items and prices that yield a nice bread-and-butter item for you!
December 06, 2005
Beaded Watches
Beaded wristwatches tend to be big sellers.
One tip I learned the hard way is to keep the stopper (the little knob on the side of the watch head that you pull out to set the time) pulled out until you actually sell the watch.
Otherwise the watch batteries run down while the watches sit in your inventory - which you don't discover till you're setting up at a show. And you can imagine how hard it is to sell a dead watch.
Or the batteries die shortly after a customer buys the watch - which doesn't make a good impression!
December 04, 2005
Low Budget Jewelry Displays
Looking for new jewelry displays on a small budget? Visit some dollar stores and garage sales, and look over everything with your creative eye. These places can be a real treasure trove of props and fabrics for displaying jewelry.
December 02, 2005
Three Traits of a Successful Jewelry Business
I recently read an article about the common characteristics of businesses that have grown rapidly over the past few years.
The three traits that all of these successful companies have in common are:
1. Successful businesses make their customers feel cared for.
People are tired of being "just a number". They want good service - which includes being treated with individual care, courtesy, and prompt attention. They want to be remembered at the places where they spend their hard-earned money, and they crave a personal touch. If they experience a problem with the product or service, they want it taken care of without any difficulties.
2. Successful businesses provide their customers with convenience and speed.
Most people's lives are overloaded. Whatever they're paying for - they want it now, they don't want to wait in line for it, and they love to drive through to pick it up or else have it delivered. They don't have time for hassles or delays.
3. Successful businesses make it easy to pay.
People want the convenience of whipping out a credit card and paying quickly and painlessly. Or they want to purchase online with only a couple of clicks.
And of course, small jewelry businesses are in the perfect position to provide all of these services to our customers!
December 01, 2005
Profit from a Treasure Chest - a reader tip
I have used Rena's "Treasure Chest" idea for two years now and found it to be quite the little money maker. After all, everyone DOES love a bargain!
After that went so well the first couple of shows I made another. I sell dichroic. The second box, another "treasure chest," is labeled Rainbow Pieces. Under that is "FREE Satin Cord with Purchase". This is where I sell my scrap dichro pieces that have been refired to all sizes and shapes with a glue-on bail. The pieces all range from $6 - $25 based on size. There is literally something for everyone starting with the smallest budget.
Rest assured, at a slow show, this will always make my booth fees!
Tip from Cindy Cherrington of CCCreations.
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