Posted by Betty Torma on October 31, 2011 at 10:38am
Hello: This is my first post. Mostly I've been a lurker. I'm sorry this is so long.I feel that my jewelry is very good quality, and I have ideas for unique pieces. I want to try the juried art fairs, but the vendor fees that are over $300.00 put me off. It seems to me that I would have to sell a lot of jewelry just to make back my entry fee. Right now I have a 45% overhead charge on my jewelry to cover the cost of shows, gas, my time at shows, entry fees, and other business expenses. I think I would have to up that by at least 20% more. If I could be successful at these shows, I would have to do fewer shows, but travel further to get to the shows. This is ok because I own an RV, and I like to travel.People come into my booth, tell my jewelry is beautiful, and many don't buy. I think it's because my jewelry is not very casual or everyday. This is frustrating. I don't expect everyone who comes into my booth to buy some thing, but I would like to sell more than 3-5 pieces. I like to think my jewelry is for wearing to work, etc. I think that at the more expensive shows (I don't know how else to differentiate them from craft shows), more people look for the type of jewelry I make. This is why I think I need to make the leap to these shows. My jewelry is at the website:http://yessy.com/bettysjewelryAnother question I have is whether there is an intermediate step between local craft shows and the expensive shows. I like doing shows because I am retired and live alone. It gets me out and talking with people. and I really like the sometimes interesting feedback people give.I'm not really looking for a critique of my jewelry, although I would appreciate that, but for information about making the leap to these shows, how you did it, when you did it, etc.Thanks for any feedback to information.Betty Torma
Hi Kathleen: Thanks for your comment. When I have a repeat customer who buys from me, I give them a discount on an item once in a while. I also tend to throw in something small that I think they would enjoy. It's good business to reward your loyal customers, I think.
I agree about finding your shows. This is my 4th year, and I keep a list of shows that I do and what I've sold at them. I also note down other things about shows. Also when I do a show I send a message back to the organizer to tell them how I did and how I felt in general about the show.
I learned a lot at this show. I found out that organizing my items and putting space between the items was very helpful. People browsed a bit longer, and I think I had more sales because of it. I did better than I did last year at this show. I had part of a table set up to display Christmas items . People definitely stopped to look at this display, and this caused them to continue to look at the rest of the items on my tables. For next week's show, I plan to make up packages of gift items priced at $10., $25. and $35. Things like pins & earrings, bracelets & earrings, and just earrings. I am also going to change how I display my earrings. Right now I have a 5 row earrings display. I am going to get 2-3 smaller displays that will each hold about 10-15 pairs of earrings and display my earrings by theme. Thanks again for your comments. Betty Torma
I make jewelry, too. I've been selling at art shows, etc. for at least 8 years. Finding your type of shows is a matter of trial and error, from my experience. Once I find a show that's a good fit, I keep a list of names and addresses, and send out postcards to past clients and offer a small gift to those who bring in the postcard. I also offer a small discount to those who purchase more than 1 item. I know that lots of people don't like the idea of offering a discount, but this has been very successful for me, and I have quite a few repeat customers. My friend, an interior designer, had a bunch of helpful ideas for our booth display. I always look at other booths when I go to shows for new ideas, too. Best of luck to you, and hope to see you at a show!
Trudi: Thanks very much. Having someone help me setup the display for photography is a great idea. I usually wear my jewelry at shows now, and I have a few plain shirts that I wear with them. Betty Torma
I can also suggest (I'm a curator and juror) and concur with all the above comments. Let me also suggest that you have a consultation with someone to help you set up your display and equally important to help you choose the photos to enter for the jury. No matter what type of show you are in you should be sure to be wearing your own jewlery on a plain background so it shows well. good luck
So there you go! I keep hearing we need young artists in the shows because the rest of us are trailing off. My reply has always been that when a new artist appears at the shows (40-ish, 50-ish) they know who they are, have been avocationally interested in their media for quite some time and can come out full blown by bringing all their experience together. Sounds like a great plan, Betty.
Hi Annette: Thanks very much for your comment. Your post is very helpful. I agree I need to find where my target market shops. Since I started this post, I've learned so much. It really is helpful to talk with others who are doing the same thing as you are. Most of my friends buy jewelry from me, but have no ideas or suggestions. They have never done anything like this
Yesterday I reviewed the websites Connie suggested, and found the jewelry to be awesome. I also read the artists statements. They were very interesting. Each artist showed pictures of a line of jewelry rather than individual pieces. The artist statements indicated they used their knowledge, skills, and materials to create a specific theme. This is not what I do, I used the material to help direct me what to do, and my knowledge and skills create the final product. I've decided that I am going to develop items around a theme and have a plan for what I want to make. These new ideas also caused me to think about how I display my jewelry at shows. When I display my jewelry now, I wonder if the customer is confused about what to look at, buy, try on, etc. because items are put on the table in an indiscriminate order. In the future since I will have themes, I will have the ability to organize my display around them. There will be a natural space between themes on the tables. Hopefully this will allow customers to really focus on individual items, rather than seeing an overall jewelry display, which will allow them to decide what to try on, etc. I'm doing a local show this weekend, and I will try this display idea.
Putting too many jewelry booths in the show is a common problem here, too. Thanks again for your thoughts.
I'm in Australia so of course things are quite different here, however ANY type of jewellery is rarely considered art down here. But we also don't have art fairs like you do either.
I make jewellery too - bridge and a little fine - and definitely don't consider mine to be art but rather nice jewellery that's made to be worn. I did very well at a limited edition show a few years back perhaps there might be a limited edition or one of a kind show near you to have a look at? Don't underestimate the need to find your target market - identify who buys/likes your jewellery and follow them there - whether it be to a good craft show, an indie show, or their local fundraisers! When investigating shows, I'd personally be asking the number of jewellery booths there - some organisers are so keen for booth fees they put far too many jewellery booths in the mix.
Hi Connie: Thanks very much for your help. I will review the jewelry at the shows you mention. I live on Lake Anna, Va which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere Va. but it's a great place to live for retired people. I am about 1 hour North of Richmond and West of Charlottesville, 2 hours South of DC, and about 45 minutes from Fredericksburg. Fortunately I already drive more than the average. I think going to one of these shows will help me decide what I want to do with my jewelry. Thanks again.
Whoops -- I just read your reply and see you are already planning on attending some shows. That is the cheapest way to really figure out what you want to do. There is also a 'group' on this site, down at the bottom of the home page, called Jewelry Genies. There are some friendly folks there who can help you even more.
Comments
Hi Kathleen: Thanks for your comment. When I have a repeat customer who buys from me, I give them a discount on an item once in a while. I also tend to throw in something small that I think they would enjoy. It's good business to reward your loyal customers, I think.
I agree about finding your shows. This is my 4th year, and I keep a list of shows that I do and what I've sold at them. I also note down other things about shows. Also when I do a show I send a message back to the organizer to tell them how I did and how I felt in general about the show.
I learned a lot at this show. I found out that organizing my items and putting space between the items was very helpful. People browsed a bit longer, and I think I had more sales because of it. I did better than I did last year at this show. I had part of a table set up to display Christmas items . People definitely stopped to look at this display, and this caused them to continue to look at the rest of the items on my tables. For next week's show, I plan to make up packages of gift items priced at $10., $25. and $35. Things like pins & earrings, bracelets & earrings, and just earrings. I am also going to change how I display my earrings. Right now I have a 5 row earrings display. I am going to get 2-3 smaller displays that will each hold about 10-15 pairs of earrings and display my earrings by theme. Thanks again for your comments. Betty Torma
Hi Betty,
I make jewelry, too. I've been selling at art shows, etc. for at least 8 years. Finding your type of shows is a matter of trial and error, from my experience. Once I find a show that's a good fit, I keep a list of names and addresses, and send out postcards to past clients and offer a small gift to those who bring in the postcard. I also offer a small discount to those who purchase more than 1 item. I know that lots of people don't like the idea of offering a discount, but this has been very successful for me, and I have quite a few repeat customers. My friend, an interior designer, had a bunch of helpful ideas for our booth display. I always look at other booths when I go to shows for new ideas, too. Best of luck to you, and hope to see you at a show!
http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/photograph-booth.htm
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Trudi: Thanks very much. Having someone help me setup the display for photography is a great idea. I usually wear my jewelry at shows now, and I have a few plain shirts that I wear with them. Betty Torma
Hi Annette: Thanks very much for your comment. Your post is very helpful. I agree I need to find where my target market shops. Since I started this post, I've learned so much. It really is helpful to talk with others who are doing the same thing as you are. Most of my friends buy jewelry from me, but have no ideas or suggestions. They have never done anything like this
Yesterday I reviewed the websites Connie suggested, and found the jewelry to be awesome. I also read the artists statements. They were very interesting. Each artist showed pictures of a line of jewelry rather than individual pieces. The artist statements indicated they used their knowledge, skills, and materials to create a specific theme. This is not what I do, I used the material to help direct me what to do, and my knowledge and skills create the final product. I've decided that I am going to develop items around a theme and have a plan for what I want to make. These new ideas also caused me to think about how I display my jewelry at shows. When I display my jewelry now, I wonder if the customer is confused about what to look at, buy, try on, etc. because items are put on the table in an indiscriminate order. In the future since I will have themes, I will have the ability to organize my display around them. There will be a natural space between themes on the tables. Hopefully this will allow customers to really focus on individual items, rather than seeing an overall jewelry display, which will allow them to decide what to try on, etc. I'm doing a local show this weekend, and I will try this display idea.
Putting too many jewelry booths in the show is a common problem here, too. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Betty Torma
Hi Betty
I'm in Australia so of course things are quite different here, however ANY type of jewellery is rarely considered art down here. But we also don't have art fairs like you do either.
I make jewellery too - bridge and a little fine - and definitely don't consider mine to be art but rather nice jewellery that's made to be worn. I did very well at a limited edition show a few years back perhaps there might be a limited edition or one of a kind show near you to have a look at? Don't underestimate the need to find your target market - identify who buys/likes your jewellery and follow them there - whether it be to a good craft show, an indie show, or their local fundraisers! When investigating shows, I'd personally be asking the number of jewellery booths there - some organisers are so keen for booth fees they put far too many jewellery booths in the mix.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next