Posted by PEGGY MARTIN on April 30, 2010 at 10:27pm
I have been fabricating jewelry for about a year and need a way to sell my work. My work is good quality, but not very sophisticated or "arty". How does someone like me get started going shows? I won't be able to compete with fine art jewelry and may never since I prefer simple, organic pieces. How can I find shows where I will fit in?
I agree with the home party suggestion. I've seen some jewelers have great success with home parties. Ask a friend to host a party for you in her home, and then give her a percentage of the sales to shop with in your inventory. Give her extra if any of the guests host a party. Many businesses have grown through this market and it works very well. Women support each other and often buy something out of obligation to the host. There's no cost to you and the only setup you need is a well lit table, a tablecoth and a mirror. Other venues that can work well for a beginner are summer festivals - they are often inexpensive and can yield great sales.
Thanks. I have already found out that my work is too pricey for many local fairs. Regarding juried shows, I am concerned that my work is not sophisticated enough and that I will just be throwing my money away, but I am applying. I had hoped that maybe there were specific shows that cater to newbies.
Hi Peggy,
I also create handcrafted jewelry. I live in Pa and here are thge problems that I have found with small local shows - price points. I looked at your website and you have really nice pieces that are priced well for the the work and materials. At many small local shows - especially non juried shows most of the jewelry that you see have price points of around $20. People come to these shows looking for flea market items and will spend $20 or less. So first of all I would say, go to the show as a customer before you go to it as a vendor. If you are going to do a few small local shows, have things that you can sell in the under $20 range. I try to have something at the $5 and $10 range when I do those shows and I don't take anything over $50. Then try to find more upscale shows that support your price points. Take good photos of your booth and work to get into these shows. One caveat - higher booth fee does not always mean better shows. I look for juried arts and fine crafts shows. Alkso look into house or office parties and groups that refer business to each other. I joined BNI and have really grown my home/office party business. I sell my more upscale metal jewelry like sterling cuffs and pendants there. It is a learning curve. Good luck
If you google arts and crafts shows in Texas you'll find a lot of lists of shows. Just find some near where you live and email or call them for an app. Try a few and talk to other crafters about where to show. Go to some nearby shows and talk to other jewelers. Shouldn't take long to figure out where you want to be.
Comments
I also create handcrafted jewelry. I live in Pa and here are thge problems that I have found with small local shows - price points. I looked at your website and you have really nice pieces that are priced well for the the work and materials. At many small local shows - especially non juried shows most of the jewelry that you see have price points of around $20. People come to these shows looking for flea market items and will spend $20 or less. So first of all I would say, go to the show as a customer before you go to it as a vendor. If you are going to do a few small local shows, have things that you can sell in the under $20 range. I try to have something at the $5 and $10 range when I do those shows and I don't take anything over $50. Then try to find more upscale shows that support your price points. Take good photos of your booth and work to get into these shows. One caveat - higher booth fee does not always mean better shows. I look for juried arts and fine crafts shows. Alkso look into house or office parties and groups that refer business to each other. I joined BNI and have really grown my home/office party business. I sell my more upscale metal jewelry like sterling cuffs and pendants there. It is a learning curve. Good luck
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