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
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