Selling My Handmade Jewelry Plus Other Jewelry

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Selling My Handmade Jewelry Plus Other Jewelry

by Fatima
(Buffalo, NY)

Hi,

I have always had an interest in jewelry since I was young, and I recently took a jewelry making class to pick up a hobby and I LOVED it.

I started making jewelry at home, and I feel like I could make a successful living doing what I love. . . I'm just hesitant because I feel like there is so much competition out there and my jewelry would be a needle in a haystack.

That's why, I had another idea but I am not sure if it would work and needed your help.

I want to make jewelry, but what if I also sold jewelry from different parts around the world? I have a south Asian background but am into very different, unique jewelry. I have also traveled to Turkey and Pakistan brought back a lot of jewelry with me to sell to my friends.

Is it possible to run a business with jewelry that I have personally made, as well as jewelry that's been bought over seas?

Obviously I would not market it everything as hand made jewelry by myself, but a mix of both. . .

Is this possible?

Fatima

Comments for
Selling My Handmade Jewelry Plus Other Jewelry

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other industries do it
by: Lauren, 4 Daughts Creations

In my day job, we used to sell other "name" brands as well as our own line of goods. At first it's counterintuitive. Why sell someone elses "___" then they wont buy ours. But here's the logic: either way you still gain the sale and the profit that goes with it. The only issue I can think of is the fairs that stipulate "handmade only" so it would depend on whether the items you bought are handmade by someone else or machine made.
I could be totally off base with this. But there's my 2 cents.

u shud do both.
by: nupur arora

hi fatima,i started out in jewelry about 5years ago and spent my early days making what i thought people wanted. it went well till i started to do mhlticultural shows.since i am also from south asia,i was able to source some eclectic jewelry from india and turkey as well.this helped me to reach a bigger client base.depnding on what type of show i was going to,i would take/that type of inventory.the niche got created when i realised that when there was a lot of competiton in the indian shows w merchandise similar to mine,my western style jewelry would do really well coz i used to sell the fact that it can be worn with indian and western outfits.on the other hand,the american shows people were attracted to eclectic jewelry.it took me many months to use this to my advantage but the key is to"offer something different"from your competition,always let yours/customers try it on before they buy (sanitize earring post everytime),give honest feedback on how they look and most importantly,stand behind whatever u sell.

Could help with your inventory
by: Liz

I can see the pros and cons to this, with one of the cons being that if you are trying to make a name for yourself as a designer, then selling other jewelry may undermine this goal.

However, I have considered this as well, because I find that I dont always have a huge inventory for certain events, such as a 3-day festival that requires I be there for all 3 days. I am very busy, and try to increase my inventory as much as possible, but sometimes, its just not possible.

If you can, maybe pick specific styles or designers to add to your display, that way you can explain to your customers about the extra items you carry and why you chose to carry it...for example, you might choose the paper bead jewelry that the women in Africa make to support themselves. Customers would like to hear that you are helping out the cause. Or you could find other local jewelry artists that are trying to get started, and you can explain to customers that you like to help newcomers to the business. Find an "angle" on it and market it that way.

Selling 'Mixed' Jewelry
by: Ross Nugroho - Jakarta,Indonesia

Dear Fatima,
Yes you can mixed the selling items.BUT.
You have to be HONEST and be FRANKLY to your customer/buyer.

I have two online sites.The www.rossatelier.com is just totally only all about my very own handmade.

While my http://chantikjewels.wordpress.com carries the mixed; the my very own handmade plus some of the crafters handmade.

To make the visitors clearly understand which one is the crafters made jewelry/accessories,I put it under the caption "artcrafts" and also mention inside that these are made by the talented local crafters.The same thing I did when I am selling offline.Make it very clear.

Currently I only sell offline some of the crafters work which made by the local poor working mom who I knew them personally.Giving them work is the way how to support them.
(I've been involved with the Indonesian crafters since long time ago and I still like to assist -for granted- and promote their excellent work).

Dear Fatima,in my opinion, if the jewelry you are selling are dominated by your own handmade, you can mention "my own made" and may also mention "plus other crafters".

But if you are selling much more the other 'home industries' made, while your creation just some pieces, is better not to mention in your promotional goods that the collection had been made by you.If somebody touch your own creation in a jewelry show, you may proudly say :"This,I made it by my self".

You can sell the mixed selling items but do not mix-up the costumer.

Warm Love,
Ross Nugroho
rossatelier.com
Indonesia

Applying to shows
by: Snagridge Jewelry

Be very honest when applying to shows. Many shows stress "handmade" assuming the person in the booth is the person who made the jewelry. Good juried shows require that the person who made the item be selling in the booth.

Other jewelers know handmade when they see it. Most also know if the item is crafted in another country. I have seen many "jewelers" trying to resell items at shows and then being asked to leave, (without refund of fees,) after another jeweler pointed out the "fake."

The main point is, be honest about who made the item. The last thing you want is having your business name dragged through the mud for not being honest online or at shows. And don't try it on Etsy! Yikes! Other sellers rat out resellers quickly.

Many resellers do very well online and at shows who will have them. Be selective and honest.

Dennise

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