| Mixing natural gemstone beads and cabochons with | | | | pleasing, easy to shop display and then discretely fill in |
| vintage glass beads and oxidized findings lends | | | | as you sell down so that you don't look like you are |
| importance to your art. The colors are rich and the | | | | going out of business near the end of the show. |
| markings are always interesting. The stones are very | | | | Don't add a lot of display props which aren't for sale. |
| earthy and flattering to your face. Look for natural, | | | | It is very irritating to customers who ask, "How |
| not dyed stones and pendants, since the dye will | | | | much for this scarf?"...only to learn it isn't even for |
| change and fade over time. | | | | sale. |
| Small groups of beads on short pins joined by jump | | | | 5. Getting juried for a show is very stressful, but a |
| rings will allow for fluid strand movement. When you | | | | show worth participating in is always juried. Imagine |
| use one long eye pin or opt not to use jump rings | | | | doing a show full of flea market items or cheap |
| you can count on crimps and odd angles. Use double | | | | knock off imports. That type of show will devalue |
| jump rings with bolder pendants and chain. It allows | | | | the items you have worked so hard to create. When |
| for more balance and harmony when all the elements | | | | you submit your jury application be sure to send |
| are of the same weight. Repeat certain elements of | | | | very clear pictures of your booth and the items you |
| your design throughout the piece to help tie | | | | sell. Send a cover letter including the basic information |
| everything together. Layered bead caps are much | | | | about your designs and your contact information as |
| more interesting and unique than using just one. | | | | well as a self addressed stamped envelope. |
| A unique bail can make all the difference in the look | | | | 6. Present yourself as a professional at the show. |
| of your finished project. You can create bails from | | | | Wear clean pressed nice clothes as well as your own |
| connectors by folding them over a mandrel forming a | | | | jewelry. Look and act professional at all times. Do not |
| rounded ring to hang your pendants from. Try folding | | | | smoke at your booth, even if it is an outside show. |
| over a connector which is the correct size and shape | | | | Do not eat at your booth. Look your shoppers in the |
| then add a jump ring. You can also use one link of | | | | eye and at least smile at them if you can't speak to |
| decorative chain. Any unsoldered larger link chain | | | | each one right away. Allow them to look at their |
| which has the right size and shape links can be used | | | | leisure without your input, but be aware of them |
| as a bail. | | | | when they do need your attention. |
| How to sell your high fashion jewelry. | | | | Friends who work with lots of women who also love |
| The least successful show I ever had in my design | | | | fashion or who admire your friend's fashion sense, |
| career came early at an upscale Farmer's Market | | | | would love to know where she gets all those |
| which included an antique store, several cafés | | | | wonderful pieces she wears. By giving your dear |
| and elegant gift shops on the same grounds. (It | | | | friend a healthy discount or even free jewelry based |
| seemed like a great opportunity at the time!) | | | | on the amount she sells to her friends; you get more |
| I learned these tips from being in shows at all levels | | | | loyal customers and a name worth following. Your |
| from that lousy Farmer's Market show to a fine arts | | | | name is another thing you need to consider seriously. |
| and crafts show at the Smithsonian. Arts and crafts | | | | Determine the name that will represent your |
| shows are hard work and very time consuming since | | | | company now and well into the future and stick with |
| they normally last at least for the whole day if not | | | | it. You have to start all over every time you change |
| the whole weekend and usually require months of | | | | the name of your company. |
| expensive preparation. | | | | Private invitation only parties are a great way to |
| Arts and Crafts Shows | | | | show your creations and create new friends as well |
| 1. Go to the show as a shopper first to take some | | | | as customers. Maybe one of your best current |
| notes. Consider the number of your possible | | | | customers would like to have a special set for free if |
| customers in attendance. Do you see other items | | | | she has a private shopping event in her home with |
| there of the same caliber as your work? | | | | five guests. Those people will know why they are |
| 2. Keep notes and detailed records from sales at | | | | there and they will be prepared to shop. |
| each show you do from year to year. You should | | | | Shows are another effective way to get your |
| expect to make at least three times the total cost | | | | inventory displayed to potential customers. If you |
| of what you invested to be in the show. (Not just | | | | aren't already; become acquainted with a boutique |
| the show fee.) Among your notes should be the | | | | owner who sells the fashions your jewelry could be |
| customers you had at that show. Send those | | | | worn with. Tie in with a special promotion such as a |
| customers a post card ten days before the next | | | | fashion show, holiday open house or husband's |
| show to let them know you will be showing there | | | | shopping night. You participate as the designer of |
| again this year and invite them to stop by to see | | | | your items. Meet and greet the clients and show |
| you again. You might offer them a small discount | | | | them the jewelry you have brought with you. Keep |
| when they show the post card and even more if | | | | up with what they buy (as previously agreed with |
| they bring a friend. Repeat business is your best | | | | the owner of the shop). The shop owner gets a |
| advertisement. | | | | percentage of the sales but there is no up front cost |
| 3. Match your product to the show. If your | | | | to them. |
| customers are more mature ladies who can afford to | | | | They don't have to buy inventory or hire extra staff |
| buy and wear your divine jewels; are they likely to | | | | and you get to sell and show your creations. Keep in |
| traipse through a muddy field to get to your booth? | | | | mind that when the shop owner sees how well your |
| 4. Keep your booth organized, neat and well lit. If you | | | | items sell, and how you conduct yourself, they may |
| display your items in color groups it is much easier to | | | | start stocking up on your designs to have on hand all |
| shop. Your most expensive and beautiful items should | | | | the time. I've been on buying trips to New York and |
| be at eye level. There is no reason to display every | | | | Atlanta with store owners, operated the store while |
| single item you brought with you at all times. Too | | | | the owners were away and best of all had one |
| much of a good thing is still too much. Keep your | | | | whole case of my jewelry showcased full time in |
| back stock and working supplies out of sight. Keep in | | | | their stores, all because of a relationship which |
| mind the possibility of high winds and rain if you are | | | | started at a trunk show. |
| doing an outside show. Be prepared. Create a | | | | |