Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 23, 2011

Question:

I am just getting started with trying to sell my wire wrapped jewelry, and have never exhibited at a fair or outdoor show. I have several local shows in mind, but I need help with what to expect. For instance, what supplies do I need to purchase for this purpose: tent, table, signs, give-aways, displays, etc.? What should I be prepared for that I might not be aware of?

-Mary Lee in Clifton, Virginia

Answer:

When you are ready to begin selling your handcrafted jewelry at shows, there are a lot of questions! To help, on the left side of this blog, under Jewelry Topics, look at Sales & Marketing, under Articles. You will find several free articles I wrote to help with these challenges, Mary Lee.

For example, How to Price Your Wire Jewelry gives suggestions on pricing formulas to use; in Where to Sell Your Wire Jewelry. I share not only common locations but also some tips on selling at places you may not have thought of! To answer a lot of folks’ questions about shows, I wrote Wire Jewelry Display & Booth Ideas, all of these articles are based on my real-life experiences, and are meant to help you avoid some costly mistakes that I made when I started out.

Of course, the ultimate advice would be to invest in The Definitive Guide to Selling Handcrafted Jewelry. I can’t go into all of the detailed information about what is included in this guide here (all you have to do is follow the highlighted link). Really, if you think about all of the time and energy you have invested in designing and making your jewelry, and all of the money you have invested in the tools, supplies and education aids to do so, why wouldn’t someone invest in the one final tool that will help you price, display, and sell your work, recouping your investment and expanding your marketing potential? I wish you all the best with your upcoming shows!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Filed under: Daily Wire Jewelry Tips • FAQ • Sales, Marketing, Shows, & Display

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 22, 2011

Question:

Hi Dale, I love your instruction style on your DVDs. I’m almost ready for your Advanced Series.

In an earlier Daily Tip you mentioned using ribbon as a necklace for a heavy pendant. It was unavailable on the link. Would you repost that explanation? I’d love some information on using ribbon.

-Jeanne in Waukesha, Wisconsin

Answer:

Congratulations Jeanne! The broken link to the Ribbon Necklace has been fixed.

Basically you determine how long you want the ribbon necklace to be, and add about 3/4 to 1" to each end (or 2" to the desired finished length). At each end, fold the ribbon over at the 1" location.

On one end, slide on a clasp with an attached jump ring and use either 20- or 18-gauge half hard half round wire to wrap the end into the main length. Repeat the same procedure on the other end, after sliding on a jump ring with an attached chain with a small headpin charm end for the final touch!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Tagged with:chain, collar, cord, display, neck wire, necklace, pendant, ribbon

Filed under: Daily Wire Jewelry Tips • Sales, Marketing, Shows, & Display • Technique Tips • Wire & Wire Wrapping

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 21, 2011

Question:

Dale, my question has to do with woven weave bracelets. Have you, or will you, be doing a DVD on the subject? I have seen several, and would be interested in a tutorial in either DVD or book form. Thanks for any help you care to render.

-John in Alma, Arkansas

Answer:

I agree John, woven wire bracelets are gorgeous! However, that technique is not my personal specialty, so I would like to refer you to the artist who made this design her signature back in the early ’90s, my friend, Linda Chandler.

Linda has an excellent tutorial for the Basket Weave Bracelet design at this link: Basket Weave Tutorial (if the link doesn’t work, visit http://www.jewelrybylinda.com/ and click "Instruction for Basket Weave Bracelet Download" on the left side of the screen). Enjoy!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Tagged with:basket weave, bracelet, how to, jewelry design, tutorial, wire jewelry, wire jewelry technique, woven wire

Filed under: Daily Wire Jewelry Tips • Project Help • Wire & Wire Wrapping

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 20, 2011

Question:

Do you have copper snapsets? If so, what are the pros and cons?

-Ellie in Mechanicsville, Virginia

Answer:

No, Ellie, we do not carry copper snapsets. Your question piqued my curiosity though, and I did some research, finding that no one makes or sells them.

I do not know the actual reason why, perhaps because copper is soft by nature and would not hold up – or it may be that the manufacturers would have to design a new product, with huge costs.

Either way, with the prices of precious metals rising at almost an hourly rate, I imagine that someone soon will have something like them that we can use in our alterative metal jewelry designs. In the meantime, sterling silver snapsets work well in copper designs!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Tagged with:base metal, copper, findings, inexpensive, metal price, set stones, snap set, snapsets

Filed under: Daily Wire Jewelry Tips • Gemstones & Beads • Wire & Wire Wrapping

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

Dear Dale, I just watched your DVD about selling jewelry at shows and parties. It has you at a show, and you’re using PVC pipe on the legs of the table. I have the exact same table. How long do you cut your PVC pipe to lift the table? Also when you are in Arizona or other out-of-state shows, do they furnish the tables? Thank you so much.

-Sharon in Raytown, Missouri

Answer:

Hi Sharon, I am so glad that you are getting so much help and advice from our Definitive Guide! The length of PVC pipe to cut depends on how tall you would like your tables to be, so customers don’t have to bend over as much to see your jewelry.

Measure the height of your table from the floor to the absolute top, then subtract it from your desired height, and write that down. Now turn the table on its side, and measure the distance of the leg from the bend or cross bar, to the bottom of the table leg. Add that length to the one you wrote down, and you will have the necessary length of PVC pipe to cut.

We also have a video tip (shot at the same time as we shot the DVD) with some discussion on this tip: Raising Table Legs.

As far as promoters providing tables for vendors’ use, that really depends on the show. Some promoters include one or two tables, a chair, and a trash can in the booth rent; others have these items available, but you have to order and pay for them in advance. Sometimes you can get them to include covers and skirts, and other times you have to pay extra for those, too. Some convention companies also have glass display cabinets that you can pre-order and rent for the show. When I participate in really long distance shows that I do not drive to, I will rent what I know I need, rather than depend on being able to use what may be provided.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Tagged with:how to sell jewelry, pvc pipe, raise table legs, raising tables, sell wire jewelry, selling jewelry

Filed under: Daily Wire Jewelry Tips • Sales, Marketing, Shows, & Display