Had a lunch meeting with some lovely ladies yesterday to discuss a private-by-invitation-only/fine-art sale. That's a mouth full, eh?
I wore my "Spotted" necklace and a matching bracelet in case anyone wanted to see my handy work. Good thinking on my part because they did and one woman literally drooled! That cinched it, I'm in and the cost is a bottle of wine for guests plus a savory goody. There are no limitations on the amount of jewelry I bring and because I'm one of two jewelry designers in the group, I don't have a cap on pricing. (the paper guild ladies have a price range they're keeping to which apparently is the norm for them). I also will be providing a piece for the guest raffle. woooooohooooo
I'm very excited about this show! This is a wonderful opportunity for networking and of course if I sell some jewelry it would be the icing on the cake.
Are there any caveats from anyone who has done similar shows? I'm all ears, ready, willing and able to heed any and all wisdom.
On Thu, 2 Oct 2003 11:53:47 -0400, MargieK wrote (in message ):
This is like the charity auction I do each year for the handicapped children's center. It's by invitation only, $250/ticket for dinner, and well
- a lot nicer than my usual dinners. I've been doing their auctions for ~4 or 5 years, and each year I learn lessons that bring in more money.
At first, I made simple beaded stuff, and very few people were interested. Each year, I see lovely crocheted baby sweaters and such that go for a song because the craftsperson used cheap acrylic yarn instead of cotton or some such. People spending at that level do not look for price, they want quality. That being said, you have to _tell_ them that your stuff is quality, and not mass market stuff. This year, I'm attaching each jewelry set (necklace and matching bracelet) to a grey velvet jewelry easel, with a calligraphed note on the back, describing the piece. I'm going to use my best "Coldwater Creek" marketing jargon to sell the piece.
Last year I found out that the people buying the jewelry all wanted to take the easels home with them, so I bought just for that purpose. The descriptions (on gorgeous scrapbook paper) will be glued to the back of the easel, along with my business card. The jewelry is going to be pinned in place, along with one of those Chinese silk jewelry bags (Fetpak had them for a song). That way, each easel is a complete display unit. The volunteers handling the auction won't even have to think about it. Stand the easel up and they're done. (When I do this tonight, I'll take photos)
Double your prices. When I first started donating, I valued the pieces at 4 times the cost of materials (which wasn't all that expensive, since I wasn't using the highest quality components). People barely looked at $25 items. The next year, I priced things at $150 and up, and everything got snatched up in a second. This year, I'm pricing each necklace and bracelet set at $200 - $250, and I fully expect that the school will get every penny.
Don't scrimp. Every little piece of the package makes a difference. A cheap clasp on a gorgeous necklace will leave it unsold. (Actually, I put fancy clasps on everything, and I try to have a theme. Make it something you'd be unable to get anywhere else) Test-wear every single thing you make, just to be sure. You'd die of embarrassment if someone at the sale pulled on a bracelet and it broke. I double crimp everything, just in case.
This is a YMMV thing -- I've found that people do not respect beadweaving. I haven't seen one seed bead item ever get anything close to a reasonable price, which is really too bad. I would keep all my nice beadwoven stuff for my own enjoyment, rather than see it go for a song and break my heart.
I was proud to wear it yesterday, Carol. The lady that drooled, said "ooohhh an amphora vessel!" before I even had a chance to say anything! I'm bringing that one just for her or maybe her 3 adult daughters.
Oh Kathy, I could just hug you!! You've given me plenty of pointers and you also validated some of things I am planning on doing.
{{{Kathy}}}
Whoa! Now I'd like to do one of those....someday.
That is a wonderful idea, Kathy. For next weekend's art/craft show I had dh build me a screened frame for hanging earrings on and I have a couple of ceiling tiles that we cut in half and covered with black velvet for the necklaces. He still has to add a stand similar to an easel on two of the ceiling tiles, so that can sit on a table. I have two others that will be mounted on one side to a child's two-sided easel that he acquired for free from a friend.
Do you think that gray is better than black for show casing most jewelry?
You know, Kathy, I love giving credit where credit is due and had thought about including the business cards of the artist whose beads I use. I wish all artists gave up their cards! Was thinking that I'd put their card in the boxes or bags that they carry out with them and mine on top of the box or on the outside of the bag. This is still in the think stage for the private show. For the public show coming up next weekend I am writing the artist's name on the back of the price tag along with all other particulars.
Oh please share your photos, I'd love to see this creative and compact unit you're doing!
I was thinking of having jewelry at various prices. This is my first and I'm thinking it's a good gauge for see what sells. What type items did you sell at $25.00? I make some nice knotted necklaces that I whip up easily that I thought I would include. You know, the kind that looks nice but isn't costly because it's not artist beads?
What do you consider fancy clasps? I have been using mostly bali silver but have thought that maybe I should spend the time to make my own SS wire clasps. And I test wear my jewelry too!
These ladies informally interviewed me. They asked me the type of silver I use what type of wire and string, do I use crystals, that sort of thing. I was not prepared to be interviewed but I didn't mind it all. In fact it was nice to talk face to face with people who really were interested and knew what I was talking about!
I don't have much in the way of my own beadwoven stuff. Currently I only have my lacy bracelets which I love to make. I'll leave them at home.
Thank you and I hope you don't mind me picking your brain too much, Kathy!
Put your items out in such a way that they carry their own paper--earrings on a card, or pins on a card, or necklaces with a hangtag---whatever works. Paper makes you more "real" in marketing terms. Then, have your business name and minimal contact info there, and price everything so that it is visible, but not neccessarily in inch high dayglo orange ink....something discreet but *there*. Many people will not ask. Also have business cards. In fact, ALWAYS have business cards, everywhere you go.
First, congratulations for this well deserved opportunity.
As regards Kathy's advice, it sounds like you may not want to include the lower priced items, or at least not more than one or two. The ladies who interviewed you sounded like they knew their stuff and are looking for the best you can bring.
And I think Bali clasps qualify as the good stuff. As opposed to spring rings, lobster claws, etc.
Thank you, Tina! I will be taking your advice and making a few of the knotted necklaces for the art/craft faire which is for the public who will think everything I make is too expensive. Well that's no proven yet but I've seen some things in my time.
What do you think of using my business cards for price tags? Too big and not discreet enough?
Sarajane, have you ever made business card holders out of polymer clay? I have some clay, maybe I'll give it a go, something that would blend nicely with my cards.
I have two business card designs--one has just the website URL for contact info, the other has the email and phone as well. Many store owners do not want full contact info going out with the merchandise, so I use the ones with URL only to put earrings and pins onto, also for necklaces, I tie those on with a small piece of ribbon. I think its a good size, personally. Plus the template is a common one with many printprograms.
The PC card holder is a good idea too--I do that, and also have little pc blobs with wire loops sticking out for price card holders--"Pins: $18.00" and that sort of thing. Sarajane
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