Monday, May 16, 2011

Sell Your Handmade Jewelry


What a simple statement; Sell Your Handmade Jewelry.
But the task itself is far from simple.
In talking with my friend Fancy of Fanciful Devices about how to approach stores that may carry your designs, she said "That makes me sick to my stomach".
I KNOW! 
Mine too.
But, if we move forward in spite of the sick feelings in our stomach, we may feel the reward of money well earned from our creations.
I am determined to stock several local shops with my some of my new designs but I have to start from scratch here. In spite of having jewelry in stores located around the world; New Zealand, England, Australia, I have never had anyone approach me to sell in their shop here in Florida.
So I have to go to them.

So get your sick bag ready, we are going to to achieve several tasks that will prepare us for approaching shops and boutiques that will want to carry our work.
I have separated the tasks into 4 different blog posts that will be posted every Sunday from May 29th to June 19th.
You will be given step by step instructions in each post. You will be rigorous in your efforts, completing each before the next task. You will feel proud of what you accomplish, in spite of its difficulty.
The end result will be you, entering shops with confidence, a relaxed attitude and positive energy.
Even when you are rejected (and we will be, it is inevitable) you will know you did everything to the best of your ability to present yourself as the gifted, artistic soul you are.
When you have a successful contract with a shop that pays you for your creations, you will feel the reward of financial success.
Most importantly, you will earn more money to buy more supplies with!
YaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaY!   

I think that is the main driving force behind my creating and selling.
If I didn't sell what I made, I wouldn't have the money to fund future creations.
And then I would crawl into a hole in the ground and die. 

So come back on the 29th and we will do this together.
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40 comments:

  1. SueBeadsMay 16, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Can't wait to have your help!

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  2. Cara Jane (surfingcat)May 16, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Sounds good, if scary! I'll be back on the 29th! Thanks

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  3. WendyMay 16, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    This sounds great, something I definitely need to know more about since this is something I've been meaning to do. Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for your upcoming posts.

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  4. AliceMay 16, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    I'd love to have my jewelry in a few shops. I live in a very small town so it's a no go for anything here, but there are a couple larger cities several miles away. The thought of selling my jewelry on contract scares me. What if the jewelry get stolen, or the shop burns down, or horror of all horrors, my jewelry sits there and gathers dust?!

    I'll be looking forward to your reading your ideas.

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  5. Spirited EarthMay 16, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    thanks for sharing your experiences with us, even though i am in numerous galleries with ceramics,approaching shops with jewelry is new and nerve wracking to me.

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  6. mairedoddMay 16, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    this is very generous of you shannon - it is a nauseating process, but necessary... i will be following along with you... thank you for the guidance... and won't it be fun for you all to see your pieces on people in your area?! for surely you will...

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  7. Claire MaunsellMay 16, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    I'll be back.....you bet!

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  8. Malin de KoningMay 16, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Excellent!

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  9. Leeya EngelMay 16, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    good luck!!I happen to know exactly what you are talking about. By the way, did you ever consider selling to jewelry supply shops?

    http://leeyaengel.blogspot.com/

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  10. AnonymousMay 16, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Not only do you speak the truth, but you had me laughing. I will really look forward to the posts, as I put off going to the local stores to hawk my wares. Not sure if it's fear or laziness, but I'll push through it...the more encouragement (or guilt), the better...JJoy

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  11. G.G.May 16, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Are you going to rent out your sensational sales secret: MIKE?

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  12. Marie CrampMay 16, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    I love you! Thanks for sharing this! It is so nice to have such a great friend as you sharing things that are hard to find info about. I will come back to read more! Promise!!

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  13. TesoriTrovatiMay 16, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    I am so there with you. I will be anxiously awaiting these posts so that we can go through this together! Enjoy the day, sweet miss!
    xo
    Erin

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  14. RickMay 16, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Love the photo -- and hope this kick starts the slowing engine for me.

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  15. CynthiaMay 16, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    This is something that I am also working on and find it challenging because of that sense of impending rejection. I tend to scope out my potential outlets and get an idea of where I feel there is a void in the shop's inventory. Something that is refreshingly new and different is an easier sell for me. Best of luck!!!

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  16. PaigeMay 16, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Oooh...thank you so much for this, Shannon! Just what I need! :D I can't wait. :D

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  17. SummersStudioMay 16, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Thank you! This is a generous thing to do and I'll definitely be looking forward to what you have to say. It's especiallly good timing for me given that we'll be moving in less than a month. Very best of luck and wishing you much success.

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  18. Anne BetensonMay 16, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Love it! I have just re-opened on Etsy after having to shut up shop and relocate my studio due to a relationship breakdown. I re-opened one shop yesterday in abject terror! I do not know why I felt like this,crazy,really! Now I am in my new studio I need to earn more money to fund the business and expand. I have thought of approaching local businesses to see if they would stock my jewelry but I am too scared. This is in spite of exhibiting in a local gallery for the last few months. So I will definitely be following this very carefully. Many thanks for doing this,Anne.

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  19. Terry Ricioli DesignsMay 16, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    So far I haven't had the courage to sell my jewelry except to friends, so I'm looking forward to your posts. Thanks for sharing your hard-won knowledge!

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  20. Donna BradleyMay 16, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge about this! I was asked to set up a booth in a local craft fair, and just panicked! Just thinking of contacting a local shop to sell my jewelry scares me to death. I'll be anxiously waiting to read more.

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  21. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Great post Shannon, and I too will be looking to see your other posts on this! Your just a shinin in the Sun with new ideas. Yea, and give those 2 little fishys huggs from us all! ox

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  22. StaceyMay 16, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Awesome awesome awesome....can't wait...because it sooooo makes me sick to my stomach - in a huge way...can't wait for your help here - cause boy do I need it! :)

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  23. sandi mMay 16, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    This is a great topic.
    I've had my work in one shop, successfully, but found the hardest part to be pricing. And, yes, there are things like breakage and stolen pieces to think about. Fortunately my retailer kept pieces in a case and only she removed them.
    See you on the 29th...shall we all take a dose of peptol bismol beforehand?!!

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  24. ReginaMay 16, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Can't wait to hear what you have to say. Something I have been meaning to do for a long time. Thanks for the push.... I am with you... sick feeling and all.

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  25. CreateologyMay 16, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    I love your attitude and look forward to your posts of help. Selling is the worst part of being creative! I can accept NO and rejection...but I hate it when people comment "I can make that!" or "Where do you get (such and such) supplies?". My Grandma always honored other crafters (she was very creative) by buying from them and then tweaking it to make it hers. Win Win for both parties.

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  26. Off the Beadin' PathMay 16, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I also will read your posts with great interest! I'm currently in 3 galleries in the "up North" tourist areas. When checking out a possible shop, I would be sure they have jewelry display cases - theft is so easy otherwise. I'm sure you'll be on top of that one anyway! Love the picture of your gorgeous pieces on their cheerful cards. How do you do that so the piece can be easily removed to try on?

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  27. RebeccaMay 17, 2011 at 3:42 AM

    THanks Shannon, that is really kind of you to talk us through it! I have yet to pluck up the courage to approach any shops and I admit, it fills me with more fear than most things....so I'll look forward to you talking us through it!

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  28. Mary HardingMay 17, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    What a great idea. And lucky for us to get it from a pro!! With wonderful jewelry to sell. Can't wait to read all the posts.

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  29. THEAjewellery (lesley)May 17, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    I'll be there. It's a big comfort to know it's not just a newbie like me that gets so nervous!

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  30. Silver ParrotMay 17, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    What a great idea! I always said I could approach a shop if I could just have someone to go with me (I am uber-shy in person) and now I do!

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  31. SuzMay 17, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Fabulous post. I will be back. Your jewelry looks so beautiful on the cards. I am so bored with what I do with carding my earrings but I haven't thought of anything else!

    I am really looking forward to this!

    Fondly,
    Suz

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  32. Heather PowersMay 17, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    I will be here too Shannon! I've had my work in galleris and carried by stores but it's always been by fluke. I would like to work on offereing a line of jewelry and will be paying attention and doing my homework!

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  33. Shannon ChomanczukMay 17, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Hey Shannon!
    You freakin' rock girl! I have been approaching salons with no response so I must be doing something wrong and I can't wait to get your help with this.
    I am so nervous of getting stolen from and not pricing correctly and a ton of other horror stories I have heard.
    Thanks :-)
    Shannon C

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  34. EmmaMay 17, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Fantastic, I can't wait. We can all go through this together and it may not seem so scary... thank you for doing this :0)

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  35. Green Shoot Jewellery DesignsMay 18, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    I'm really looking forward to your posts, will be avidly following your progress. Good luck!

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  36. Haegaerpr Jewelry by Martin CaraballoMay 18, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    This will be a awesome blog ,Yes is scary because i'm a very shy person but i'll be waiting the 29th for your fantastics and smart tips .

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  37. Miss SwishMay 22, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    fantastic blog - just found it :)
    I am a new jewellery maker in UK facebook page is www.facebook.com/magpieinthesky

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  38. KellaMay 22, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Yes Ma'am will do as you say :)

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  39. PenelopeMay 23, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    *complainy face* Do I haaaaave to...!? Like Fanci this whole idea makes my tummy turn. Although I'm well aware that my stuff needs to be in more than one basket, I usually prefer the technique of waiting till a shop owner asks me where I bought my earrings. I tell her I made them...it goes from there. This has so far not happened, because I rarely go into shops here. Because they're all boring! Maybe I could just sniff out who possibly might carry my stuff and leave it at that? That seems sufficiently half-ass*d.

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  40. HeatherMay 28, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    I am beside myself with excitement for these upcoming posts. I was just approached by a shop in CA and she bought a good amount of my supply, but I haven't tried initiating the relationship with anyone. I'm excited to have a community to go through this process with. Let the adventure begin. www.durgajewelry.com

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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog, it means a lot to me.
Shannon

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