February 21st, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Approaching potential retailers of your jewellery
When I first started to make jewellery 3 years ago, I was making charm bracelets. They were very popular at the time. I wrote to 4 shops. 3 wanted to stock my bracelets. Needless to say I was unprepared and I panicked. I only got back to one of those shops who displayed my jewellery and I made a few sales. However their mark up was extortionate and not long after, they closed down.
I could have kicked myself because one of the other shops is thriving today - they do jewellery parties. It may seem strange but choose carefully, one place to supply your pieces (or if you have the time and money, more than one) visit the shop, take note of their style and prices. Make sure your jewellery would compliment their current collection and fall into a similar price range.
The next step is to take some top quality photographs of your best pieces, copy and paste them onto a blank page and write a few lines about your jewellery and what makes it so special. For example my charm bracelets were completely made of sterling silver and gemstone which all 3 shops were looking for at the time.
Hand write the envelopes, preferably in an artistic writing style. If you can find out the name of the owners that is even better because they will have to read it. When they pull out the letter, your incredible photographs will hold their attention.
Remember to put your name, address and phone number so they can contact you. Seeing that you live locally is also very attractive. They love to tell customers they have a ‘local designer.’
When they do contact you, wear clothes you feel comfortable in and always wear a piece of your own jewellery to show how wearable and fantastic it is. Be prepared with a price list. If you feel uncomfortable about this, remember they will put a mark up on this, they are benefiting also.
If they question your prices, have a break down of time taken per piece and cost of materials so you can make them aware that your prices are indeed fair. If you have chosen the right place they won’t ask this because they understand the time that goes into your art.
I could have kicked myself because one of the other shops is thriving today - they do jewellery parties. It may seem strange but choose carefully, one place to supply your pieces (or if you have the time and money, more than one) visit the shop, take note of their style and prices. Make sure your jewellery would compliment their current collection and fall into a similar price range.
The next step is to take some top quality photographs of your best pieces, copy and paste them onto a blank page and write a few lines about your jewellery and what makes it so special. For example my charm bracelets were completely made of sterling silver and gemstone which all 3 shops were looking for at the time.
Hand write the envelopes, preferably in an artistic writing style. If you can find out the name of the owners that is even better because they will have to read it. When they pull out the letter, your incredible photographs will hold their attention.
Remember to put your name, address and phone number so they can contact you. Seeing that you live locally is also very attractive. They love to tell customers they have a ‘local designer.’
When they do contact you, wear clothes you feel comfortable in and always wear a piece of your own jewellery to show how wearable and fantastic it is. Be prepared with a price list. If you feel uncomfortable about this, remember they will put a mark up on this, they are benefiting also.
If they question your prices, have a break down of time taken per piece and cost of materials so you can make them aware that your prices are indeed fair. If you have chosen the right place they won’t ask this because they understand the time that goes into your art.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 at 9:44 pm and is filed under Articles.
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Hi I am going to do my first craft fair, i make my own jewellery, do you have a few ideas or tips you can share with me. i.e do i price each item. I dont know where to start
July 19th, 2008 at 3:18 pmRegards pauline