Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
August 18, 2011

Question:

Dale, thank you for your tips and encouragement! I have been to many shows, but my jewelry simply does not sell. I get lots of traffic and many people comment on how beautiful my pieces are, but most do not even look at the price. I have had other artists tell me how nice my work is. I have asked for advice from other vendors on improving my booth, but they tell me it is welcoming and appealing. I am lost as to what to do. Suggestions? Thanks.

-Merry in Smyrna, Tennessee

Answer:

Hi Merry, well it sounds like you have a good booth set-up and great product, but you feel like you are running a museum display with free admission! (Been there, done that, learned to sell!!)

My questions to you are: Do you engage the customer in a conversation? When you say "Hello" and they reply, "I’m just looking," do you reply with something like, "May I tell you what you are looking at?", and then launch into a conversation about a particular item, drawing them into a conversation? Do you have a special business card to give them offering a discount if they return to your booth before the end of the day? Do you have a photo album showing how you create your designs? How about a list of all of the possible birthstones that they may not be aware of? All of these tips and so much more are included in The Definitive Guide to Selling Your Handcrafted Jewelry. You might think about this as a very wise investment to be able to sell your work (that contains so much cost in supplies and time). I wish you good fall and holiday showings Merry!!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

Hi Dale, I have 3 granddaughters ages 5, 12, and 13. I would like to make necklaces and bracelets for them for their birthdays, but I can’t seem to find definitive sizes for kids’ jewelry. I’ve looked at lots of web sites and each web site gives different sizes. I’d really appreciate your help. Thank you.

-Colleen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Hello Colleen, I think the reason why you cannot find any definitive information with regards to children’s jewelry sizes is because regardless of their age, all children are different! The best way for you to make bracelets for your grandchildren would be to measure each of their wrists and add 1/2". Because children also grow at different rates, I like to add a 1/2" chain with links that the clasp (usually a trigger or lobster claw style so the bracelet is more secure) will fit into so the bracelet can be worn while the child grows. (I have to note here that personally I do not recommend using any type of stretchy cord for children’s jewelry because it has a tendency to break too easily.) As for necklaces, again children are built and grow differently, so you could choose 16" as the overall length, or measure the child’s neck and add 3". I hope I have helped you a bit! Does anyone have another suggestion for Colleen?

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

In making the ends of a necklace, is there a standard for which side gets the clasp? I’ve been making pendants, and just randomly chose where to put the clasp.

-Helene in Perkasie, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Hi Helene! I found some interesting information to go along with my answer today. Did you know that statistics say there are more right-handed people than left-handed? The percentages I found say that only 10 to 20% of the world’s population is left-handed. I know that I have worked with several people who seem to work better with the left hand, but had been encouraged to use the right at an early age. Most of these folks could be ambidextrous, if they will let themselves, enjoying the best of both!

Most of those in the jewelry making industry design necklaces with the clasp on the right side, so that a right-handed person can easily take them on and off. The beauty of making jewelry yourself is that you are free to also create necklaces for those who are left-handed! Here is a marketing idea that I occasionally use: make a necklace that is either reversible, or easily changed, so you can switch the clasp from one end to the other in a few minutes. This is a great way to be able to customize your work, and customers love it!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
June 20, 2011

Question:

What were some of the most creative marketing ideas you came up with when you started doing shows? Or what things have you seen at shows that definitely didn’t work?

-Sheraton in Palm Beach, Florida

Answer:

Hi Sheraton, oh my goodness! In February 2010 I wrote about my very first show experience in the Free blog article titled Wire Jewelry Display and Booth Ideas. I have some stories about what has worked really well, as well as those that didn’t (like the trailer full of "that used to be a display idea once"). That article has my stories and experiences of what I have changed over the years, along with some suggestions for those who are just thinking about, or to give fresh ideas to those who already are, selling at shows.

Offering ideas that may inspire those of you who wish to sell your work in other venues, in May 2010 I wrote another free blog article titled Where to Sell Your Wire Jewelry. Here I share my experiences about Theme Party ideas, running Fund Raisers, and basically how to have fun selling your work to those who are interested! Both of the articles I have linked to also have many helpful comments from our readers.

Of course, if you really want some major knowledge, from myself and very experienced members of our Wire-Sculpture Faculty, I would recommend that you bite the bullet and make a minor cash investment by purchasing The Definitive Guide to Selling Handcrafted Jewelry. Although those few customers who are as experienced as I am only found a couple of new ideas, most folks have been extremely pleased with the information the WS Faculty and I have compiled into these 3 very full DVDs – and the included book Mitzi McCartha wrote for us, Wire Java, includes a wealth of pricing ideas, along with worksheets for extra help.

Most of what will work for you will be based on your personality and how you choose to sell your work, as well as what you like to create and the market you find that your work appeals to. My final advice is to have fun making what you like to make, and don’t fall into trying to fill the current fad, because this path will more than likely end up costing you both money and sanity.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
May 31, 2011

Question:

Hi Dale, now that we are coming up on festival season, I’m looking for a few quick and beautiful projects that I can “make as you wait” in a short amount of time for the customers. Any patterns you can point out would be very appreciated.

-Juanita in South Orange, New Jersey

Answer:

Hi Juanita, your idea of making “on-demand” customized pieces as the customer watches and waits, is a great way to attract additional attention to you and your booth!

To offer some attractive and quick ideas, I would first direct you to our Free Jewelry Making Patterns index. Albina’s Spring Flower earrings can be prepared at home by making some long coils of wire and then ask the customer how many petals they would like on their flower. Mary Bailey’s All-Inclusive Earrings pattern is another make-it-now design, where you could have a couple of sample pairs on display surrounded by beautiful beads a customer could choose from. You could also make matching pendants by using my Quick Bead & Wire Pendant instructions.

Left-to-rignt: Albina’s Spring Flower Earrings, Mary Bailey’s All-Inclusive Earrings, and Dale Armstrong’s Quick Bead & Wire Pendant

Summertime is the best season to make and market anklets! To generate custom sales “on-the-spot,” have 3 or more samples made-up and on display (using materials you have quite a bit of on hand) and place a bowl of beads nearby, for customers to choose from. Light-weight and fun to wear (as well as affordable to make) are my Bent Wire Earrings, shown in our Wire Jewelry Ideas section, and most folks find that they can easily wrap a puffed heart, sharks tooth or an arrowhead in less than 10 minutes by using the Anything Harness design (click here for some examples). Personally, my Puffed Gemstone Heart pendants in sterling silver sell for $15 to $18, and I include a simple silk neck cord for instant gratification.

A lot of folks who are experienced in ring-making like to make simple 1 to 3 bead rings on-demand at shows, and still others can wrap a rock within a few minutes, too! It’s your choice Juanita, I hope I have given you some ideas that will help your spring/summer show season become a success!

For further reading about getting ready for show season, I recommend my article Wire Jewelry Display & Booth Ideas.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a Question? Click Here to Submit Your Question

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Be Sociable, Share!

•