Jewelry Business Blog

October 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!

October 29, 2005

Valuation Appraisals

Types of Valuation Appraisals
Learn the types of valuation appraisals, and how they are affected by the Master valuation. Part 2 of guest author David Foard's mini-course, "How to Value Your Jewelry at Home or Work".

A new article by David Foard F.G.A.A. of Online Jewelry Appraisal Center.

October 27, 2005

Jewelry Business Friends / Colleagues - a new article

Can Jewelry Making Buddies Become Jewelry Business Colleagues?
Great things can happen when you combine friendship with jewelry business. Tips for jewelry making buddies who are considering working together as jewelry business colleagues.

A new article by Stevie Struiksma of ASKK Designs, who can be reached via email at askkdesigns@hotmail.com; and Rena Klingenberg, publisher of Home Jewelry Business Success Tips and this Jewelry Business Blog.

October 26, 2005

Jewelry Business Inspiration - a new article

Jewelry Business Inspiration - Keep Reaching for Your Dreams
Find jewelry business inspiration in this true story of a former realtor who achieved jewelry business success following a life-threatening accident. Guest author Sharon Cox shares her path to selling her jewelry successfully in shows.

A new article by Sharon Cox of Dzignz by Sharon.

October 25, 2005

Lampwork Beads: The Birth of a Bead - a new article

Secrets of High Quality Lampwork Beads: the Birth of a Bead
Experience how lampwork beads are made, as guest author Laura Christensen Wells takes us on a fascinating journey of creativity and skill as a lampwork glass bead is born.

A new article by Laura Christensen Wells of Christensen Studio.

October 24, 2005

A Product Catalog for Your Jewelry - a new article

A Product Catalog for Your Jewelry

Learn how a product catalog of your jewelry designs can increase your sales, especially for home jewelry parties. Guest author Lori Hodges shares tips for producing your own professional looking jewelry catalogs at home.

A new article from Lori Hodges of Made in the Country Jewelry.

October 23, 2005

Punching Holes in Earring Cards - a reader tip

For punching holes in earring cards, I have two sizes of paper punches I bought at the paper store. I use the smaller one for the cardstock I hang my earrings on for display and packaging. With my small custom made rubber stamp stamped onto the front, this makes a nice display card.

The larger punch is used to make my template card that I use to keep everything even on all the cards. I put the template card over the cardstock and using the larger hole, I punch a perfectly lined up hole with the smaller punch every time!

Tip from Barbara.

October 21, 2005

Making Animal Collars - a reader tip

A reader named Jacqueline writes in that she has been making animal collars from buttons, ribbons, and beads - and that she's been receiving lots of favorable comments on them.

October 20, 2005

Inexpensive Earring Displays - a reader tip

I found an inexpensive and unique way to display earring or pendant cards:

I found a used CD storage tower made of wrought iron at the local Salvation Army for about $2.00. My husband bolted the bottom to a lazy-Susan type tray - and presto!! A great display that your customers can rotate.

Long earrings can be displayed on pin-cushion type balls. Buy some small or medium styrofoam balls, wrap in a solid colored fabric (red or green is great for Christmas) glue the fabric to the styrofoam, make small holes and insert the earrings. They can be displayed individually or if you add a hook to the top, displayed on a small Christmas tree.

Tip from Mary of MM Jewelry Designs.

October 19, 2005

Transporting Jewelry - a reader tip

To store my made jewelry and take it with me when I travel, I use Craft Mates storage kits. I find them at Michael's craft stores. They run about $14 each and come with four 9x2 inch cases with 7 small compartments each (28 total) in a black, snap-close binder. They are perfect for storing earrings and bracelets and have a clear pouch that I keep business cards in. It fits into my purse and is clean and professional.

Tip from Nicole of Lotus Blossom Designs.

October 16, 2005

Jewelry Color Theory - a new article

Jewelry Color Theory for Fashionistas
Learn to use primary, secondary, and complementary colors to create and accessorize a high-fashion look. Guest author Carrie Johnson takes us on a fascinating journey of color theory and how to use it.

Article by Carrie Johnson of Gorgeous Animal Jewelry.

October 12, 2005

Marketing Your Jewelry at Conventions - a reader tip

Got a convention or other similar event in your area? Contact them and find out if they have a "freebie table".

Freebie tables are a great place to put your business cards, flyers, bookmarks, pens, pencils, buttons or any other promotional info for your business. (Many times, it is free to leave your goodies on the table but sometimes they do ask a small fee so be sure to inquire about this when you contact them.)

This is a great way to get new customers and business without having to purchase an ad in a publication, which can get expensive.

Tip from Melissa of Sabre's Squirrel.

October 11, 2005

Your Small Business Accounting System - a new article

Your Small Business Accounting System

A small business accounting system is a must if you want to stay in business. Guest author Sally Jones discusses accountants, small business accounting software, and other bookkeeping resources.

Article by Sally Jones of Tea Business Guide.

October 10, 2005

Hallmarking Secrets Revealed - a new article

Hallmarking Secrets Revealed
Learn more fascinating hallmarking lore from guest author David Foard. Discover the mysteries surrounding the Date stamp, and how changes in hallmarking affected quality.

Article by David Foard F.G.A.A. of Online Jewelry Appraisal Center.

October 09, 2005

Hot New Jewelry Trends - a new article

Hot Jewelry Trends - Top 5 Ways to Follow Them
Working some hot new jewelry trends into your inventory can really boost your sales. Guest author Lauren Cooper gives her top five tips on following jewelry trends.

Article by Lauren Cooper of LoLo's Garden Jewelry.

October 08, 2005

Another Holiday Marketing Idea from Nathanael - Greeting Cards

Here's another great holiday marketing tip from Nathanael:

1. At every event, I keep a guest book.

Obviously, I sign up each client, but even serious passerbys get signed up, if they express an interest in my work. The clients, of course, are entered with the work that they purchased.

2. At the approach of our New Year season, which is an important period involving much preparation and gift giving and decorations, I send out a New Year card. Since decorations are an important part of the holiday, I prepare a French fold A-4 page. The left quarter (bottom correct reading) contains my list of successes over the past year---perhaps new designs, or competitions and events I participated in, and other newsworthy info. The right bottom quarter tains my message for the new year, a greeting i usually don't change.

The upper right corner is of course, upside down, and on a sideways reading contains my return address and perhaps a decorative space for the addressee and the postage stamp. The upper left corner (upside down reading) contains one quarter of a simple paper cut design.

3. I have these "cards" photocopied in various colors. For nicer or more important mailings, I have a reserve supply photocopied on special calligraphy paper, as it cuts nicer.

The paper is then folded, french-fold (a term understood by printers) which means I first fold the page in half, horiztonally, then a second time vertically, the outside now showing only the paper cut and the address areas, the inside only the greeting texts.

I can thus send this card in the mail directly, without an envelope. I usually seal the card's edges with charity stamps used for fund raising, but you can use stickers as well.

The card actually becomes a gift, since the receiving client can cut the card along the guidelines, and then unfold it, thus opening it to a full paper cut.

In our culture, paper cut designs are popular, and this is a welcomed gift, since holiday decorations are in demand for the home anyway. It is also a nice project for the children - I usually try to draw my paper cut so that it is simple, but yet contains design elements identified with our New Year season.

For Christmas and Christian Holiday themes, this card idea could be easily adapted by using stencil designs with holiday themes such as the bells and trees. Or you could look through various paper cutting design books. Dover Books may have some nice papercut designs for use as well.

I have enough knowledge that I can do this myself. I think the idea is nice because the client now has the chance to share in a creation project, and gets a taste of what it is like to work in a craft.

But I also frequently insert a personal note slip, reminding the receiver how i know him.

Since many of my items are personalized jewellery and gifts, I can actually remind them to whom they gave my gifts! I also carry a reserve supply in my suit jacket pocket, offering them to new aquaintences in lieu of a business card. But the little insert note is an important personal touch.

This project can be accomplished totally on the computer, but even a novice like me can do it without special skills, if you are willing to revert to true cut and paste-up using scissors and glue. It is important to be accurate in the frame of your paper cut design, giving a little more frame space so that the clients won't do too much damage it they cut over the lines, and remember that when the card unfolds, it will reveal a full four design work, but with each design appearing juxtaposed and in reverse, so don't use holiday messages or other lettering unless you don't mind it being reversed.

The clients are given a small set of instructions on the info part of the card, and are encouraged to mount the work on silver foil or other colored papers, and perhaps even have the piece laminated for easier use as a decoration.

4. If you are about to participate in holiday related shows, this could be a nice give away idea.

5. I always choose to photocopy these cards, since that gives me full choice of amount and variantions in paper quality and colors.

Photocopying shops usually give a special price for quantity anyway, and I can "print" up the amount I need, fitting this into my expenses budget.

Tip from Nathanael of Studio Nathanael - "Something Special from Jerusalem" for fine gifts, Judaica and jewelry.

October 06, 2005

Holiday Marketing Idea - a useful free gift related to your product

Here is an interesting holiday marketing tip from Nathanael, who creates not only beautiful jewelry but also table serving pieces. Here's one successful way he has attracted interest in his incredible metalwork serving spoons and tridents:

I often participate in pre-holiday incentives craft fairs and sales events. You should always have a nice little basket of something to give out, along with your card.

I recently participated in the annual summer "pasta and arts" fair of the Italian community, and we were specially requested to keep as much of our theme in products and sales as Italian as possible.

For this event, I decided to pass out recipe leaflets for basic Italian sauces. This leaflet helped highlight my new designs of table serving pieces for condiments such as pesto and grated cheeses.

To this leaflet I applied my logo and title, and even a small message of greetings. The recipes were printed in long narrow columns so I laid them out directly on a sheet of a-3 size paper, which I photocopied on two sides, using a heavier card bristol to give a nicer product. I then quickly folded these (television work) into quarters, giving me a nice leaflet. This gave my visitors seven recipes, plus my logo and info.

They were printed in various amounts on green, red and white bristol paper, the colors of the italian flag, and arranged nicely on the table. They were a welcome gift, and the sponsors of the fair also gave me accolades for this genuine idea.

I know that the clients will keep these leaflets for some time, and enjoy using them, and I am confident that I will receive new business in the future as a reesult of this relatively simple gift.

Tip from Nathanael of Studio Nathanael - "Something Special from Jerusalem" for fine gifts, Judaica and jewelry. Scroll down Nathanael's metals page to see his gorgeous holiday serving pieces.

October 05, 2005

Put Your Best Jewelry Forward - a reader tip

I try to stick with my plan of always wearing my most gorgeous jewelry when I leave the house, even if I'm just going to the grocery.

But the other day, my three-year-old daughter made me a necklace out of her big plastic beads, and she was so proud, so I wore it to the library for storytime. Pretty safe, right?

Well, no. I was interviewed for a TV news feature.

I didn't even think about the necklace until later. We live in a pretty small area, so I'm sure some of my customers saw it. Maybe it will start a new trend! : )

Anyway, my little one was happy, and that's what really matters!

Tip from Anna of My Cool Sister's Jewelry.

October 03, 2005

Attention to Text Detail Speaks Volumes About Your Jewelry Business

Most customers disregard an occasional typo or omitted word when reading text online.

But

wading through text that has an assortment of glaring typos can deteriorate a visitor's good opinion of a website.

Although spelling and typing accuracy really have nothing to do with jewelry crafting skills, lots of text errors send a subconscious signal to potential customers that perhaps the jeweler isn't very detail oriented.

And that can make a visitor hesitant to trust the quality of the jewelry or the security of a credit card purchase on that site.

I know you would never let a lot of typos or other text errors exist on your jewelry website! :o)

But it's still a good idea to find a jewelry buddy and read each other's websites or online auction text carefully for errors. It's much easier to find errors in someone else's writing than in your own; when you read your own stuff, you know what you *meant* to say, and your mind subconsciously slips in corrections that aren't there.

Clean text with minimal errors gives your visitors a strong sense of a meticulous business owner and craftsperson - which inspires shoppers' confidence!

October 03, 2005

Jewelry Photography Backdrop - a reader tip

I was using black fabric as a backdrop for my work (black is supossed to be professional), but my pictures always seemed to come out too dark.

I have started using pale colored card stock I found at Wal-Mart, and the difference is amazing. I'm in the process of photographing and posting all new pictures. The card stock doesn't have a texture that shows up with the macro function on the digital camera, so all the attention is on the jewelry.

Tip from Melissa of Sabre's Squirrel.

October 02, 2005

Creating Jewelry Business Opportunities - a reader tip

Last weekend my two little girls and I went shopping.

Mijal will be 9 soon and Yael is 7. They are not actually teenagers but it's been a long time since they were toddlers and now they like to choose their own clothes and shoes. They have a clear idea of what is cool and what is not!

After two hours at the store, running back and forth with all sorts of jeans, t-shirts, skirts, and more, I noticed that they didn't have any kind of accessories for little girls, which in my opinion was unexplainable.

My daughters are always snooping among my beads and they love to make their own simple necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

I requested a meeting with the owner of the store, to show her some of my work, and she was delighted to see my beautiful creations just for little ones.

We worked in a summer collection of jewelry for girls, including lovely daisy bracelets and chokers, butterfly hair clips and barrettes; seashell anklets and much more. All in beautiful pastel colors, some with organza ribbon endings, some with rattail cord...specially for that age when they are growing up and becoming little ladies.

Tip N°1: Keep your eyes open for new opportunities all the time.

Tip N°2: Always be ready for when the opportunity arises.

I always have a nice folder with my business information handy or at least a bunch of my business cards inside my wallet, ready to hand out. Also, I keep a small display with my best pieces inside the car.

Tip N°3: The best display for your jewelry is you!

ALWAYS wear your jewelry. That's a must do. There are hundreds of times when someone approaches to ask "where did you buy that beautiful necklace???" And that'’s a wonderful opportunity to hand out one of my business cards. Sometimes they want to learn how to bead, sometimes they just want to wear it to work, but both are good chances to make some money!

Tip N°4: Look professional.

Whenever I have a meeting with a potential customer, I try to look VERY professional.

I take special care about my dressing, avoiding completely informal wear such as jeans or so. I prefer to wear neutral colors and a discreet makeup. (I want to be remembered for my jewelry not for my red and yellow sweater!!!)

Tip N°5: Invest in professional displays and fall in love with your jewelry.

I display all my jewelry over velvet displays (black velvet for light colors, red velvet for dark colors) and let my customer take her time to make selections while I'm ready to speak nicely about my work. Something along the line of, "That's green jade from Africa and it looks gorgeous with your eye color." Or, "That's a one-of-a-kind carved turquoise." Be enthusiastic and confident about your work. After all, it took you hours to complete that waved necklace, remember? That's pure love...

Tip N°6: Make sure you have literature with all relevant information about your work.

At the end of my meeting, I hand a nice folder with a description of my jewelry, contact information, business cards and price list. It didn't cost me too much to have all my information printed in nice ivory paper with dark rose ink letters...very feminine and yet so professional.

Tip N°7: Be extremely polite.

Although it might happen that the customer isn't interested in any of my jewelry, I still keep her name for my database and make sure to include her in my mailing list. I also call her every so often to ask her if she would like to see some of my new creations or if she needs anything.

Tip N°8: Oh, those important little details....!!!!

Finally, I make sure to send her a hand written thank you note, which usually causes a very good impression.

Tip N°9: Surprise!!!!

I always keep the contact information of all my customers, whether they buy from me or not. I include personal information too, like their birth date, and any other detail that may come up during our conversations. Sometimes we start talking about necklaces and we end up speaking about our children. I keep that information too, so next time I call them, I can ask them how are Lisa and Tommy or how was her trip to China. People like to be remembered as unique, not only as another customer. A little personal touch helps me to get closer to them.

I also remember their birthday and send them a small gift. Consequently, I call them just to make sure they got my gift, and that's a way to start another business conversation!

Open your eyes - there are business opportunities everywhere!

Reader Comment:

It is also helpful to give coupons or gift certificates to potential business associates as a constant reminder of your company. You can also encourage them to share the coupon with their friends and family. Wisteria Moon web site it set up to accept coupons and gift certificates.

-From Lyena of Wisteria Moon.

October 01, 2005

Opal - October's Birthstone - Opal Lore and Legend

Article by Sam Serio of Morning Light Jewelry.

If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it.

October Birthstone: Opal

Birthstone Properties: Enhances insight and dispelsfear

Alternative Birthstone: Tourmaline

Opal is the birthstone for October and the gemstone given to commemorate a 14th wedding anniversary. The word "opal" for this dynamic gemstone was derived from the Greek word "opallus" which means to see a change in color - because it is, after all, opal's abilty to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light that make it so special. In fact, there are more than a dozen varieties of fiery and iridescent opals.

Opal is a non-crystallized silica, a mineral found near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. Romans called the magnificent gemstone "Cupid Paederos," meaning a child as beautiful as love. They believed that opals fell to earth from the heavens in a flash of lightning.

However they arrived in on Earth originally, today opals must be mined from deposits found primarily in Southern Australia, although other sources exist in Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, and Nevada.

Crown Jewels Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity through the ages. During the Middle Ages, physicians ground opals into a powder that was ingested to ward off nightmares.

Since the 14th century, many cultures have considered this stone to be an Eye Stone, a stone that watches over royal families as well as a stone that strengthens the eyesight.

They believed it to be the "king of gems" because an opal holds within its fire all the colors of the rainbow - and all other gems, as well. And like many birthstones, opals were treasured by ancient monarchs for their appearance AND their powers.

Opals were routinely set into the crowns and necklaces of rulers who believed the protective powers of the gemstones would ward off evil. Writers of the period believed the opal could render its wearer invisible when the need arose.

The Russians had the complete opposite belief in opals, viewing them as nothing but bad luck.

A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence. And the wide range of choices in opal make them a perfect gift for anyone:

Black Opal - the stone has a dark body tone in comparison to a white opal.

White Opal - also known as 'milky opal', featuring light white body tones.

Boulder Opal - very dark and beautiful in color.

Crystal Opal - any opal with a transparent or semi-transparent body tone. Forms of crystal opal include black crystal and white crystal.

Fire Opal - an American term meaning any opal that displays a significant amount of red coloring. Mexican fire opal is a different kind of opal, which displays orange coloring).

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