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Jewelry Making Idea June 6: Ideas for Selling Wire Jewelry

By on June 6, 2012
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by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com

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!

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10 Comments

  1. avatar

    Sandi Stephenson

    June 6, 2012 at 5:24 am

    Hi, I sell my jewellery at hockey games! Mostly bead-woven and chainmaille, in team colours of black and gold :)

  2. avatar

    Tawny

    June 6, 2012 at 5:43 am

    The owners of the tattoo shop where I go suggested I bring some pieces and they would put them in their display case. I haven’t done it yet but I may. You never know . . .

  3. avatar

    Elizabeth Hildebrandt

    June 6, 2012 at 7:08 am

    The medical assistant at Mom’s Dr’s office noticed her jewelry, Mom mentioned that she makes jewelry, she was given an application to fill out, and now we are selling our beautifully handcrafted jewelry, kitchen towels, and many other things at her medical centers here in the Detroit area. We visit a different center once a week and sell to the nursing staff, patients, and even the Drs!! We have to provide proof of liability insurance and also maintain a mobile credit card machine which proven to be a very important part of our business. Our business is called Gilbert’s Crafts and we have a page on Facebook under that name. We are a mother, daughter, daughter team. Going to the medical centers allows us to sell year round!!

  4. avatar

    Dena Ellison

    June 6, 2012 at 8:15 am

    My daughters and I were at a campground last week, and they offered to sell my jewelry in their camp store. I also arranged to teach a class there in August as part of their “Make It and Take It Weekend”. I am really looking forward to going back there!

  5. avatar

    Donna

    June 6, 2012 at 8:15 am

    Honestly, I think starting with consignment is a quick way to discouragement. Consignment shops want to take around 50% of the price of what you sell, and unless you have really prepared by setting your prices at a profitable level, you’ll quickly lose money. I have never tried consignment, but have decided that it is not for beginners.

    Online selling is a perfectly viable option, but also requires a lot of work on the seller’s part, and a unique skill set, such as photography and knowledge of how search engines work. I find that a combo of online, local craft fairs, and home shows is starting to pay off. When I was getting tired of wasting time at craft shows, by the way, I just had a jewelry open house at my home, did all the publicity myself, and did much better.

  6. avatar

    Brenda Caudill

    June 6, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    My daughter works as a teller in a local bank and makes jewelry in her spare time. One of her bank drive-through customers (who happened to be the wife of a local plastic surgeon)engaged her in conversation about the jewelry she was wearing. When she found out that my daughter had made it, she asked her if she would be interested in setting up a display at her husband’s office! She is still considering it.

  7. avatar

    sue beebe

    June 6, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    I would love to know how you tell a person who admires a necklace or earrings that you are wearing that they are for sale without sounding pushy.

  8. avatar

    Lynne Hopkins

    June 7, 2012 at 5:32 am

    My jewelry is sold at the Day Spa I frequent. There is also an art gallery for our local artisans and my pieces are available there to.

  9. avatar

    Heidi Percival

    June 7, 2012 at 9:59 am

    I’ve seen jewellery on display in bakerys and coffee shops, especially in small towns where tourists are likely to stop at them for information and refreshments…

  10. avatar

    Ed Carder

    June 12, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    It may not be for everyone but it works for me. I have
    success selling wire crafted jewelry at bars…on a late
    Friday or Saturday afternoon…Just make sure it is a bar
    that is frequented by young females….I have no success
    anywhere selling to men….or at church bazaars or
    festivals primarily I believe because what I craft does
    not seem to appeal to older conservative women or men.