How to Display Handmade Jewelry at Craft Shows
Apr 27, 2012 handcrafted jewelry, handmade bracelets, handmade earrings, Handmade Jewelry, how to
One of the most important parts of exhibiting your handmade jewelry at craft shows is preparation. Everything needs to come together perfectly for the show to be a success. It takes planning and proper execution that comes only with experience.
Handmade Earrings in Wolf Jewelry Designs
Design your handmade jewelry booth for quick and easy set-up and tear-down. Displays that fold together, stack or pack in well fitting boxes will decrease damage and reduce the amount of time needed to pack and unpack. Plastic containers and waterproof covers are a must if you are participating in outdoor craft festivals.
We always displayed our handmade earrings on padded boards or in frames that could be packed as they are with many earrings so we did not have to individually package each pair. We grouped the earrings into sections and included the price so we were ready to start selling handmade jewelry. We covered the entire board with sponge to prevent any damage to the earrings and put into thick plastic bags so just in case an earring fell off it was always in the bottom of the bag. Depending on the booth setup the handmade earrings board had either a hook for hanging or a hinged support for table top.
For handmade bracelets we had wood cases made to hold the bracelets upright perfect for display and easy to pack 20 bracelets at a time. Each tray held a different style of cuff bracelet in the full range of designs. We actually came up with the idea from doing wholesale jewelry shows. Each space was labeled with the handmade bracelet code number to make restocking much easier as well.
Handcrafted necklaces were bulked packed as well in a roll. Get a piece of material that matches your display, velvet is excellent, and make a necklace pad, attach the necklaces with u-pins, set up the distance between each necklace so that it is attractive and then carefully roll the fabric from the top down to pack up. This works well for chains with pendants. Roll from the side for bulkier necklaces.
Handmade Bracelets in Dolphin Jewelry Theme
Handmade rings were displayed in ring trays. There really is not anything better than the standard foam ring displays that are available from wholesale suppliers. Cover the display with sponge and plastic bag for added protection.
During the last hours of the craft show when it slows down, replace any sold items so your handcrafted jewelry displays are full and ready to go for the next show. Handmade earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings should have their own boxes for extra stock which can be restocked in between shows knowing that your handmade jewelry displays are full. We stapled the bags of the same designs together so it was easy to see which designs were running low.
For many years we traveled to outdoor craft fairs and art festivals. It is a fun and exciting way of life. There were however several times that the weather did not cooperate and quick packing was necessary. By setting up your booth display in a way that items can be packed and unpacked quickly you will not only save time but avoid costly damage to your handmade jewelry. It takes years of experience to learn how to display handmade jewelry at craft shows to make the best impression on your customers.
Tags: craft booth display ideas, craft shows, handmade jewelry marketing, jewelry marketing
What Makes Handmade Jewelry Unique Earrings Handcrafted Bracelets Sell Well
May 24, 2011 Animal Jewelry, handcrafted artisan jewelry, handcrafted jewelry, handmade bracelets, handmade earrings, Handmade Jewelry, unique gifts, unique jewelry, wholesale jewelry
After twenty-five of experience, I still think that the best way of selling handmade jewelry and handcrafted unique gifts is to participate in art and craft shows. You can sell much better if you meet people and talk with them. So they will know you the artist better and they will have a better feel of your handmade jewelry creations. Touching your jewelry, learning how it is made and putting a friendly face behind it is going to make the world of difference in selling. The jewelry will have more value to them in an emotional way.
Handmade Bracelets, Wildlife Jewelry Hummingbird Bracelets, Unique Handcrafted Jewelry
We have done craft shows for many years and we also wholesale our work. The best selling strategy is you. Your personality is your advantage over all the other handmade jewelry out there. Online no one knows the real you but at craft shows your individuality shines. People are drawn to not only the unique handmade jewelry on display but to your friendly smiling face. The conversation that develops will leave your customer with a great feeling of knowing the artist personally who created their favorite pair of handmade earrings.
For handmade jewelry artisans just starting out there is no better learning experience than craft fairs. Meeting your customers face to face, knowing what they are looking for and what they want is the foundation of a successful handmade jewelry business. You will quickly learn what your target market is and what niche market you should focus on.
There are many, if not thousands, of craft shows throughout the United States. Starting out local shows are great because they are usually cheaper and more convenient to do. You will discover the best way to display your handmade earrings, handcrafted necklaces and handmade bracelets as well as meeting other local craftspeople. If they have been doing craft shows for a while they will know all the shows in the area that are worth doing and steer you away from the fairs that are a waste of time.
Animal Jewelry Cat Earrings, Handmade Earrings, Unique Handcrafted Jewelry
Once you are ready you can venture into juried shows and national shows. These are very competitive so make sure your handmade jewelry is of the highest quality possible. Juried shows are more expensive to exhibit at but these shows attract thousands of people who are interested in all types of handmade gifts. After doing these crafts shows for a few years you will begin to have your own following of regular customers.
Larger craft shows are also a great place to meet local store owners who would like to buy your handcrafted jewelry and handmade gifts to offer to their customers. You will have to decide if you would like to wholesale jewelry as well. It depends on the type of handmade jewelry you are making and if you can produce enough handmade earrings and handmade bracelets at a reasonable price for store owners to sell well in their shops. Although you do not make as much profit per piece, you sell many more pieces at a time. If you make really unique jewelry that has high quality and good prices, you will be able to make much more money overall if you decide to offer your handmade jewelry to the wholesale jewelry market.
Lately I have noticed a lot of handmade jewelry artisans on the internet. While it is relatively easy and inexpensive to make your own handcrafted jewelry website, it takes a great deal of time and effort to rank well in the search engines. You need to learn how to market handmade jewelry online. A lot of jewelry artisans are not making any money and getting frustrated online. My advice is craft shows. There is nothing better than having someone ooh and aah over your handcrafted jewelry, not just leaving a comment to get a back link. At the end of the day you have some money in your pocket and a great sense of achievement that will energize you to create the most unique handmade jewelry ever.
This is an original article by Jennifer Hisir of Handmade Jewelry by Copper Reflections
Tags: butterfly jewelry, copper jewelry, craft fairs, craft shows, jewellery, unique bracelets, unique earrings, unique handcrafted jewelry, unique handmade jewelry, wholesale jewelry suppliers
How to Make Money Selling Unique Jewelry Handmade Earrings Bracelets at Christmas Craft Shows
Nov 17, 2010 handcrafted jewelry, Handmade Jewelry, home-based business, small business, unique jewelry
Selling handmade jewelry can be a fun way to turn a hobby into a profitable enterprise. With hard work and research, it’s easy to make some money making jewelry. The various items offered for sale are limited only by human ingenuity. No matter how beautiful the handmade jewelry is for sale, however, it must be displayed well on creative jewelry displays in order to sell. Every booth at art and craft festivals has its own unique style and feel. Each well-planned tent is a one room store. Good booths are attractive and invite people in. When planning a booth display, it helps to visit fairs and make note of what seems to work and not work in people’s booths. A good looking booth at a craft fair has a theme. Sometimes this is by accident, and sometimes it is planned. For example, a handmade earrings and handmade bracelets selling booth should have jewelry gifts boxes to display their artisan jewelry and sell them in.
Please keep in mind that people visiting craft shows are also looking for unique handmade gifts for their loved ones. It is always a great idea to display your unique artisan jewelry in gift boxes, which also makes handmade jewelry more presentable and added value. One complete and consistent theme from ceiling to floor is nicest to the eyes. Choose fabrics that look and feel appropriate to hang along the side walls of the booth. Use these same fabrics to drape over any tables in the booth. Use the space under the table for hidden storage.
Advertising in real life is one of the most surefire ways to get customers. Telling friends and relatives ensures word of mouth publicity and can help build some initial sales and feedback. Putting up flyers are coffee shops, grocery store bulletins, and other similar areas is also a good way to get publicity. Put up a few business cards so that people can take them. There are well known websites to sell handmade jewelry online. It’s easy and free to set up a shop there, and jewelry forums are helpful in providing advice and guidance to newbies. After creating a decently attractive storefront and stocking it, it’s important to be thorough in advertising. Advertising in real life is one of the most surefire ways to get customers. Telling friends and relatives ensures word of mouth publicity and can help build some initial sales and feedback. Putting up flyers are coffee shops, grocery store bulletins, and other similar areas is also a good way to get publicity. Put up a few business cards so that people can take them.
Many independent jewelry designers find that craft shows are excellent sales venues for their jewelry businesses. The prospect of pre-show prep can be daunting, especially for the first few craft shows, but with careful planning, the show can come together nicely. The quality of the Unique Jewelry offered, the range of price points offered, and customer traffic affect jewelry sales at craft shows; however, equally as important as those factors is the way the jewelry is displayed. Some professionals leave the white walls of the tent as is, and use light colored cloths on the tables. Regardless of the choices, they must be consistent and complement the items for sale. Crafting projects can be sold right from the home after they are made. This may require internet and phone. Other than this, a crafter can sell their products through different craft fairs that need vendors. This may require applying, paying for a table and showing what it is that will be sold.
If possible, bring extra jewelry to the show. As items sell, they can be replaced with extra pieces from inventory. Photographs of many different projects are always helpful to have on hand and a surplus of the item to be sold for example, necklaces, rings, Unique Lockets, chokers, brooches and hair clips are also handy, so that a crafter doesn’t have to spend a lot of time doing their crafts before their next crafting opportunity. This is also helpful if you are going to take a special custom jewelry order. It is always a good idea to bring a mirror with you for your customers as they would want to see how your unique jewelry pieces will look like on them.
Your unique jewelry should be organized in an orderly fashion. Customers like to browse, but may not realize that there are multiple colors of one item or matching sets available if the jewelry isn’t displayed in a logical manner. How the jewelry is organized is not as important as simply having an organization method of some kind. The unique jewelry collection can be organized in sets, by type of jewelry necklaces, pendant, bracelets, earrings to make it easier for your customers to buy them in matching jewelry sets. Finally, place jewelry at various heights on the table using short, medium, and tall displays. This is aesthetically pleasing and adds dimension to the showcase. Inevitably, all beginning Handmade Jewelry vendors will realize they forgot something necessary for the craft show after it is too late to retrieve the item.
For those who sell copper jewelry or sterling silver jewelry should bring a polishing cloth for last minute pre-show touch-ups. Shiny jewelry always sell well. If your jewelry looks tarnish and dark, jewelry customs would not be interested in purchasing. If you design your own jewelry, it is always to work at the arts and craft shows especially during slow times. So bring along jewelry making tools. Jewelry making tools will also help, just in case, a customer requests a last minute tweak to any piece. Instead of reading at the shows, working on your handcrafted jewelry will make the time go faster, will help you have a bigger stock for the next craft show but most importantly it will bring the customers to your booth to see what you are making and give them better conversation piece of jewelry to buy. People would not want to disturb your reading and ask questions about your crafts.
For serious crafters who want to display their crafts online, there are websites available that may require a small fee to display arts and crafts for others to purchase. The start-up costs for a crafts business will vary depending on the type of craft, the initial volume of product being created, the intended size of the business, and business plans for where the product will be sold. Looking craft fairs and other public events to set up shop at is another way to get the word out. Even if a customer doesn’t purchase anything, they can walk away with a business card or flyer. Many jewelry shopkeepers use social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Blogspot, and Tumblr to promote their jewelry stores. It would be foolish to use all of these simultaneously, but judicious use of a few can do wonders to help get traffic to your handmade jewelry website.
Tags: craft shows, crafts fairs, handcrafted jewelry, handmade bracelets, handmade earrings, Handmade Jewelry, how to make money, unique jewelry
How to Make More Money at Craft Shows Selling Handmade Jewelry Earrings Bracelets
Nov 3, 2010 handcrafted jewelry, handmade bracelets, handmade earrings, Handmade Jewelry, unique gift ideas, unique gifts, unique jewelry, wholesale fashion jewelry, wholesale jewelry
Selling handmade jewelry can be a great way to turn your hobby into a profitable business. With hard work and creativity it is possible to make a good living making and selling handcrafted jewelry.
Handmade Earrings Handcrafted Jewelry Hummingbird Jewelry Earrings
If you enjoy traveling then craft fairs and other public events is a route you may even have fun with. Many handmade jewelry artisans find that art and craft shows are excellent venues to sell their artisan jewelry. Preparing for the first few craft shows can be intimidating, but with careful planning and a little practice craft shows can become a major source of income. The most important factors to consider are:
1. The quality of the handmade jewelry offered by you and other exhibitors.
2. The originality of your handcrafted jewelry and your target market for your handmade earrings and unique bracelets.
3. The price range greatly affects your sales so you should have pieces in various ranges but keep in mind that lower price points always sell more so be prepared.
4. The demographics of the place where you are exhibiting which means you need to consider the age of the people attending and how much money they make.
5. Customer traffic directly affects handmade jewelry sales at craft shows. A well established show will have more traffic while a first year show may be slower.
Handmade Bracelets, Unique Handcrafted Jewelry, Horse Jewelry Bracelets
The way your handmade jewelry is displayed might be more important than any of the above noted factors. Here are some tips to increase your handmade jewelry sales at craft shows. With over 25 years of experience selling handcrafted jewelry at craft fairs there are many important marketing techniques that many people overlook. No matter how beautiful the item for sale it must be displayed well in order to sell.
The set up of your booth should be welcoming and open. Try setting up tables in a u-shape so that people can come into your booth. Booth space is small so you must use every inch wisely. Always welcome people into your booth, being friendly and sincere will increase your sales. People come to craft shows to meet the artist so each handmade jewelry piece has special meaning when they have talked to the artist. People love to hear the story behind the design which adds value to your handcrafted jewelry.
Group your items so people looking for certain designs will easily find the matching handmade bracelets and handcrafted necklaces for the handmade earrings they have chosen. Your unique jewelry should be organized in an orderly fashion. Customers like to browse, but may not realize that there are multiple colors of an item or matching sets if the jewelry is not displayed well.
Make sure to have a mirror close at hand. Ladies love to hold up the handmade earrings close to their ears to see how they will look when worn. Along the same lines, wear your own handmade jewelry. People love to see how the handmade earrings and handmade bracelets look like on. Many times sales are made of the same items you are wearing at the craft show, especially to men buying gifts for their special lady.
Lighting is very important. Craft shows are known for poor lighting so you must use extra lights to make sure your booth stands out from the crowd. Well placed lighting can make an incredible difference in your sales. Make sure that cords are neatly hidden and the lights securely mounted.
If there is a break in the traffic, have some work ready. Nothing attracts people to your booth then seeing you making the handcrafted jewelry right there. Carry a box with some tools, supplies as well as handmade earrings and handmade bracelets pieces. People who stop to watch will soon become customers. Having jewelry making tools is always a good idea just in case a customer requests a special handcrafted necklace or wants a shorter length of handmade bracelet. The more adaptable you are the more your sales will increase.
Every little thing counts when displaying handmade jewelry at craft shows. Try a few of these tips and see the dramatic effects small details can have on handcrafted jewelry sales. Every booth at art and craft festivals has its own unique style and feel. Each well-planned tent is a one room store. Good booths are attractive and inviting. Good booth displays will increase your handmade jewelry sales.
Tags: animal jewelry, copper jewelry, craft fairs, craft shows, handcrafted artisan jewelry, handmade jewelry business, increase sales, tips to succeed, wholesale jewelry suppliers
