How to Sell a Ton of Handmade Jewelry Right in Your Own Home Town!

There are a variety of simple ways to market your jewelry right in your own home town without spending aloof of time or a money. If you're serious about increasing your jewelry sales, give some of these simple marketing techniques a try:

1. Wear your jewelry everywhere you go. You probably interact with jewelry lovers every day of your life as you carry out your daily activities. What woman doesn't like jewelry to some extent? Highlight the beauty of your jewelry by wearing it with a simple, plain colored top so your necklace becomes the focal point. When someone compliments your jewelry design, be prepared to give them further information.

2. Carry business cards with you everywhere you go. Post your card on bulletin boards, put them in fishbowls at restaurants, leave them on restaurant tables with your tip. Give one to your dentist, hairdresser, tailor, and anyone else you may come in contact with on a daily basis. It's a low key way to network.

3. Invest in a car sign to advertise your business when you drive around during the day. This is one of the best investments you can make in terms of time and money. Be sure to include your website address in big bold letters on your sign.

4. Be friendly and approachable. You'll establish many more contacts for your jewelry line this way, plus you'll make more friends!

5. Donate a piece of your handmade jewelry to a charity auction. This is a great way to get you name out in the community as a jewelry designer. Plus, you're helping a good cause at the same time.

6. Learn everything you can about your customers. How old are they? What do they wear? Where do they live? Study their habits, wants, and needs. This will allow you to better optimize your sales material, flyers, and your jewelry designs to meet their particular needs.

7. Be active in your community by volunteering a few hours a week. This is a great way to make new contacts while establishing a reputation for giving back to your community.

8. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and attend meetings when possible. You local chamber can provide you with so many opportunities for networking. This is one group you definitely want to be a part of if you're serious about marketing your jewelry designs.

9. Visit local retail stores to see if they might be good markets for your jewelry. Keep an open mind. The markets for handmade jewelry extend far beyond the standard boutique and gallery. Consider hair salons, spas, nail salons, hospital gift shops, shoe stores, and other small businesses to be potential markets to sell your jewelry.

10. Market to local groups of which you're already a member. Do you belong to a church? Could you use your jewelry to help your church raise much needed funds? Offer to have a small church jewelry show to sell your jewelry and give the church a percentage of your profits.

11. Network with your local bead store. They may want you to do custom designs for their customers. You could also teach classes or give a trunk show of your designs at their store.

12. Offer to do trunk shows at local boutiques and galleries in your area. Many smaller boutiques and galleries would love to have the opportunity to sell your jewelry to their customers at no risk to them. Retail stores love the publicity that special events create!

13. Write a press release about your jewelry designs and submit it your local newspapers and magazines. This can bring in a ton of business very quickly.

Hopefully, these ideas will get you started thinking about how you can best market your handmade jewelry in your local community. It’s a great way to sell more jewelry!

Jewelers - How to Choose a Reputable One

Purchasing handmade jewelry can be an expensive, and often intimidating, affair. Most people have little knowledge of the industry and its products, and this unfortunately makes them ripe for the taking by disreputable jewelry dealers. Here are a few tips to find a jewelry dealer in whom you can trust.

Find out how long a particular dealer has been in business, and check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints against them. Just because a specific retailer is new doesn't mean you shouldn't consider patronizing them. New dealers should be given extra scrutiny, however, since they don't have a track record to refer to.

Ask what gemological credentials the jeweler has. Also find out if there is a gemologist on staff at the jeweler's location, and if the store has its own laboratory. Determine if the store offers any special services such as custom design, unusual gemstones or photography. Some dealers even offer educational programs for their customers.

You must learn what the return policy is for the store you are considering. If you make a return, will you get a full refund, or store credit? How many days do you have to make a return? What are the terms to make a return? Also, what is the retailer's repair or replacement policy?

Don't be afraid to ask to take a piece of jewelry "on approval." This is analogous to an extended "test-drive." Chances are the jeweler will not agree to this, but it can't hurt to ask. If you don't ask, you won't know.

Very importantly, find out to what extent the firm will guarantee its merchandise to be as represented. Be sure all details regarding a piece of jewelry, as certified by a licensed gemologist, are included on the bill of sale. Failure to see to this point could lead to disappointment.

Finally, what is the atmosphere of the store? Are displays orderly and tasteful, or are they a jumble of marked-down items designed to lure you, the potential customer. How does the staff present themselves? Are salespeople informative, helpful and unassuming? Or are they pushy and manipulative?

If after performing thorough due diligence you feel uncomfortable with a jeweler, then move on to another. Following these tips will help a lot, but there is also much to be said for instinct. If a deal doesn't feel right, don't do it.

Handmade Jewelry and Handcrafted Wholesale Jewelry Maximizes Retail Sales

The best way of increasing the sales, thus the profits, is to find the most original handmade jewelry and the most unique handcrafted jewelry that can not be found in all the gift stores. Unique handmade jewelry will be the reason that your customers will keep coming back for. If your gift store is the only shop that is offering these unique handmade bracelets, handmade earrings, handcrafted necklaces, rings and brooches customers will have no other choice but coming back to you for birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, Christmas gifts as handmade artisan jewelry will make the most unique gifts for her and unique gifts for men.

The most important reason for customers to come back to your gift shop is to find original handmade jewelry because your store is the only store that offers these unique jewelry gifts. So it is a good idea to ask your handmade wholesale jewelry suppliers to give you the exclusive rights for your area. This way you will make sure that your customers have a reason to keep on coming back to your gift shop to find many handmade gifts, unique gifts and unique artisan jewelry that can not be found any where else in your area.

The other important reason that you will have steady customers that will be coming back to your store every time when they need to buy birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, men's gifts, women's gifts or Christmas gifts is that you have reasonable priced handmade unique jewelry. Especially Christmas time when people have to buy many gifts for their loved ones, your prices on handcrafted artisan jewelry will play a big role. Once your gift shop is known in the area with the most unique handmade jewelry and the reasonable prices, this will be the best advertisement for your gift store; customers telling to their friends about how wonderful your store is. You will be surprised to see people will be coming long distances to shop for unique artisan handcrafted jewelry. Then your business becomes a success story.

When looking for artisan handcrafted jewelry, be aware of the importance of high quality, reasonable wholesale jewelry prices and the most unique designs. When all these conditions are realized in real life the business becomes successful. This, of course, goes for all kinds of business, not only the handmade artisan jewelry business. Giving exclusive rights to wholesale jewelry customers is especially important for small town gift shops. This has always worked well for handmade jewelry suppliers as well as the gift store owners.

Handmade Jewelry is a Woman's Best Friend

One of a woman's most favorite and treasured gifts to receive is jewelry. Every woman can't help but feel a rush of excitement when she is handed a small gift box. Her mind starts to race through all the different possibilities that the delightfully wrapped box can hold. From diamond earrings or sapphire bracelets to the most exciting of all: an engagement ring. But while a woman loves to marvel at all these store bought gifts, jewelry that is made just for her is even more special. With all of the amaco art supplies on the market today, anyone can make handmade jewelry right in their own homes. All you need to get started is some beautifully colored clay.

Once you have chosen the color of the clay you want to use to create your piece of jewelry, it is time to begin. Use your imagination to create the one-of-a-kind piece that she will treasure forever. You could make some beads that have stripes or polka dots. You could make beads that vary in shape from round to triangle or square. Feel free to let yourself go in your creativity. If you don't like what you have created you can always start over. This is the beauty of working with moldable clay. Working with clay is so simple and easy to manipulate. When working with clay, you won't even have to worry about dealing with cone 06 glazes.

After you have finished molding your beads to your liking, make sure you remember to poke a needle through so you can string them together after baking. Once you have done this, all you have to do to finish the beads is to bake them in an oven until they are hardened. When your beads are done baking, leave them alone for some time to make sure that they have cooled off adequately. Now comes the moment of truth. String your beads into whatever piece of jewelry you have decided to make. Whether it's a bracelet, necklace or earrings, be sure that the wire you are using is neither too long nor too short.

Now you have created a unique piece of jewelry that the woman in your life is guaranteed to cherish. There are few things that can mean more to a woman than something that you have created with your own hands just for her. It doesn't matter if you have created a piece of handmade jewelry or some other clay pottery art, it is certain that she will absolutely love the masterpiece that you made, especially for her. You can purchase a small gift box to wrap your masterpiece in. When you present your handmade piece of jewelry to this special woman, make sure to keep your eyes open for her reaction, as it is sure to be one of joy.

Handmade Bridal Jewelry

The real challenge is to find the bridal jewelry of your choice without breaking your bank. How? Well, there are some ways to accomplish this and make your wedding an unforgettable day of your life.

You may find some wedding jewelry which is affordable from one source or another but how about handmade bridal jewelry? Yes this is a great option for your jewelry which will surprise you. Handmade jewelry is unique as it has a special exquisiteness and warmth which is not obtainable by factory made jewelry. Since wedding jewelry has to have a softer side to it and reflect love and romance, handmade bridal jewelry can present you with all these prospects. Furthermore, handmade jewelry is affordable which means that you can look stunning on your wedding day without getting out of your budget which will get you in a fix afterward.

Handmade wedding jewelry is in fact no less than unique pieces of art which leave everlasting impression on the onlooker as well as the bride.

Before you opt for any kind of handmade jewelry, you will have to consider your wedding gown. The jewelry you select has to complement your dress otherwise it will not make a perfect whole. Once you select your dress, you need to determine the kind of handmade wedding jewelry which will go with it. Although the dress is the focal point, the jewelry is no less than that. This is because the necklaces catch immediate attention being right in from of the onlooker.

The neckline will help you to establish the style of your necklace. In addition the overall shape of your gown will also aid you to decide as to which bridal jewelry which will go with it the best. So wait no more and discover the amazing and affordable handmade bridal jewelry now!

Where can you find affordable bridal jewelry and wedding jewelry sets for your special day? Click here to find more than 3,000 chic and discounted bridal pearl jewelry line includes bridal necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more.

Handmade Jewelry Boxes

Handmade jewelry boxes look different from jewelry boxes produced in factories, in terms of class and elegance. Their price is often very high. Though their supply is limited, they are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, textures, finishes and prices. If you are still not able to find one, it is always better to search for them online.

However, this carries a risk too. It is difficult to verify the claims made by sellers that the jewelry box bought by you is handmade. Any expert may be able to tell the difference but a common buyer cannot. In some cases, the jewelry box may be partly handmade and partly machine-made. In fact, such jewelry boxes have flooded the market, though most of them are being sold as fully handmade jewelry boxes.

To be sure that one is buying a handmade jewelry box, one should go for antique jewelry boxes. Until a couple of centuries back, all jewelry boxes were handmade. There are certain companies which offer to make handmade jewelry boxes available according to individual tastes and preferences. That could, however, cost one a great deal.

Most of the handmade jewelry boxes are generally made of wood. This is because wooden boxes often last longer than metallic boxes, are much easier to make, and most of the time look more elegant, also.

Handmade jewelry boxes are made differently all over the world. However, they can be ordered from anywhere in the world, as many of them are displayed online. A connoisseur of handmade jewelry boxes must keep track of various offline and online auctions where such items are made available quite often.

Jewelry Boxes provides detailed information on Jewelry Boxes, Jewelry Display Boxes, Jewelry Gift Boxes, Handmade Jewelry Boxes and more. Jewelry Boxes is affiliated with Wholesale Jewelers.

Hip Handmade Jewelry

Projects from the editor of BeadStyle magazine Cathy Jakicic Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry is one of the newest publications from Kalmbach Books. Cathy says the idea for Memory Jewelry came after she attended a scrapbook event with a friend of hers. While there, working on a beading project, she began to realize how these 2 creative endeavors were alike. The scrapbooking group was fascinated by her project and how she designed and constructed it.The result is over 25 jewelry creations that are inspired by special occasions, divided into 4 categories: milestones, hobbies, vacations and remembrances. Yes, we all know the endless varieties of charm bracelets and pictures in small frames on pendants and keychains. But Cathy's projects go far beyond these common theme designs.

MILESTONES

Be sure you check out the decoupage bracelet; who thought of creating a way to remember wallpaper or paint. The handmade birthstone jewelry was very personal and I liked these much more than pre-made, pre-formed standard pieces. Yes, the mini memory book pendant was a bit too trite for me, but other scrapbookers might love the concept. Creating beads from special paper, such as gift wrap, or napkins from your baby shower was another neat idea others might like, but not exactly my cup of tea. Cathy describes a reward bracelet----I liked using this for myself, adding a bead for each POUND lost on my diet, and maybe a slightly larger one for every 5 lbs. That is a prime example of how you may look at one of her designs and immediately see a new and innovative way to turn it into your own project.

HOBBIES

Cathy described a project to commemorate a child's recital....while that didn't particularly appeal to me, it did spark my own creativity, as I thought about how I could take a program and use it to create a memory keepsake. I also like the pop culture project; I may have to use this to create a design for my best friend, who is dedicated movie buff. I could use movie posters and create a unique bracelet and earrings, with a slightly large set for a necklace. I think this could also work for books or album/CD covers. Oh, all of us remember our grade school art work being displayed on the refrigerator door (wonder what they ever did before refrigerators?). Cathy has a neat plan to co-op those into pendants.

VACATIONS

I enjoyed the photobook/memory book charm or bookmark project; there would be endless variations on just this project alone! An earlier project showing how to personalize a sports bag or backpack could also be a variation on this theme. Her map bead project was also very original and could be used in many ways to commemorate a trip.

REMEMBRANCES

Cathy has different projects with photos, and a piece of cloth from your baby blanket or christening dress. But my fav was one that created a keepsake memory box with an autograph, quote or even haiku, if you wish. And, the baby blanket scrap is just fun and funny.

I thought the way she structured the book into 4 design 'types" was great, since it helped me, at least, to think about the types of events that I might like to commemorate from my own life. As an example, I have small dried flowers from my husband's grandmother's funeral that I plan to put between microscope slides and solder for pendants for my step daughter, sister in law and mother in law. No, it isn't the same as some of Cathy's projects, but it is a way to remember someone without being maudlin or dramatic. I think that is one of the things she accomplishes with her projects; giving us positive, unique ways to keep a special memory "alive."

Well I do hope I didn't spoil all your fun.....if you like creating personal keepsakes, or are a scrapbooker looking to "branch out" this book may be a great place to start. I think these projects would be wonderful to create personalized gifts. College girls, or your younger daughters might enjoy this to create thoughtful gifts that would be cherished but not expensive. You can find this online at Kalmbach Books.