Ideas for Selling Wire Jewelry
by Judy Ellis
There are a lot of options to go sell your wire jewelry. For those of us who are a bit naturally shy and who would much rather create jewelry than sell it, the options can be intimidating - but I've noticed I really have gotten better with practice!
Some locations which you might try consigning in, you can get in with little persuading - such as in clothing stores that already carry clothes that your jewelry would match and accentuate. Here in Ogden, there is a vibrant district downtown on 25th Street that includes several boutique clothing shops that are all too happy to feature local artists who create hats, scarves, purses, and of course, jewelry.
In shops where you might have to talk up the shop owner before getting accepted, make sure you have your press kit - you do have one, right? - some jewelry samples on you, and a plan on splitting profit and how to increase business for both parties.
In any case, the most important thing in your jewelry business isn't your jewelry. Really! If you didn't have a business, you would probably still create it. No, the most important thing in your jewelry business is your customers. Without your customers, you wouldn't have a business! So it's important to find where your customers are, and then go find them there: don't expect them to magically find your website or shop display.
I told you last week that I've started to sell my jewelry at my yoga studio. I was able to do so because my teacher, who owns the studio, had noticed my jewelry and I told her that I sold it, and she is happy to encourage people to do things they love!
Now that I've started to sell my jewelry locally, I thought I would brainstorm some other places where I can sell my jewelry. (And honestly - while I love yoga, yoga practitioners aren't my target group of customers). While I can't fill every shop in town - in fact, Dale told me once that she doesn't place her jewelry less than 75 miles closer than the next seller! - I think I would like to have another location or two. Here's what I came up with. I'd love to hear your creative ideas for possible good matches for your jewelry!

  • Church & school bazaars
  • Street fairs
  • Farmer's Markets
  • Flea Markets
  • Museum Shops
  • Visitor/Tourism Centers
  • Theatres and Dance Recital Halls
  • Trunk Shows
  • Home parties (yours or traveling)
  • Gift shops
  • Flower shops
  • Offices (set up in the break room for lunch breaks)
  • Salons
  • Spas
  • RV Parks
  • Resorts
  • Country clubs

  • And that's just a start - I'm sure you have some good ideas! Try making a list of potential places to sell your jewelry, and then "interview" those shop owners. You might end up in some wonderful locations you would have never imagined.
    Yes - Dale wrote this great article a while back that explores a few locations to sell jewelry!
    Plus: don't forget to sell what you're wearing! When I started, I wouldn't always wear my jewelry, and - Murphy's Law - of course, I would meet someone new, find that they're interested in the fact that I make jewelry, and have nothing to show them! Now I never leave the house without at least one piece I made - and I have a secret set of earrings and a pendant in my car in case I ever forget. (It is a low-cost set, but better than nothing). Whether you are at work, the chiropractor, bingo, crochet group, or a kids' baseball game, you are your best advertisement - so go ahead, model your jewelry!

    Materials

    Wire
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    Beads
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    Cabochons
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    The Definitive Guide to Selling Handcrafted Jewelry
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    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $177.95
    • Gold Club Price: $133.46
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    Tools

    WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
    G15-20
    • G15-20
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $170.72
    • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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    Bench Tools
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    • Category: Selling
    • Technique(s): Selling