15 year old jewelry business-drowning!?

Question

I have designed semi prescious jewelry over 15 yrs. Have had lines in small boutiques, have won awards. All I hear is how gorgeous, how talented, OMG, how long did it take to do that? I had a web site 2 years, sold 3 items, was on Etsy 1 year sold 5 items, been on Picturetrail. 3 years just so there is a place where all my work can bee seen, and have sold nothing off there ever. Tried e-bay several times, never 1 sale. Go to juried shows only usually do (depending on area) between $150-$600. I use only grade A stones-Turquoise, Onyx, Malachite, Pearls,sterling /Bali silver.Every piece is one of a kind. Have done commissioned work-so why can't I sell? I realize competition is fierce, with all the China imports it is killing the artists, but this is rediculous! I am disabled & this is my main source of income, I tried to get a disabled womans grant, but that cost $ to have a small store at flea market. take a peak at site, maybe u can give me some help Anna

Answer 1

I used to make jewellery years ago just for a hobby but know the field is very difficult. Did you take any contact info from people who have bought from you in the past? In the future you could ask if they want to sign up for a "First to know" sort of list and be offered items first or special deals. Are you able to get out to the stores with some of your jewellery to show them and who might order from you? I know in my city that the local art galleries and museums take hand-made items in their shops. No idea if they sell though. Do you know lots of people? Maybe you could have a little party at your house and showcase your work? Do you update your website every week? Do you have new product every month? Sometimes you can just move items around on the page or change the descriptions. Are they photos excellent? Do you have a local business Chamber of Commerce? You could go to meetings and hand out some brochures or show your items. Good for networking, plenty of female business owners now. Do you have those all-girl pamper party events in your city? I went to one and they were excellent for networking, I got many business cards. Best wishes!

Answer 2

What I would do is... Get a group of friends together, get all dressed up, get the media in on it, get the newspapers, and have a small little show somewhere (probably at the park or something). I wouldn't spend too much money on it. But... I think you could do something like this. Get your friends all dressed up. Give them the best of your jewelry to wear down the ramp. Get about 200-300 plastic chairs. Make a makeshift ramp. Inform the media about it. Advertise in newspapers. Put fliers up. Pass our brochures. Spread the word through whatever means possible. Try to get a live DJ or a live band (remember something small to start out with). Go and strut your stuff at the show. Do it in the evening sometime. Also have some small businesses sponsor your show and set up vending booths. Set up your own booth and have your most beautiful works on display. Get a raffle going. Get some dancers (ask around at high schools for dance companies and ask them to help out). Make it a cool event. You could even sell tickets to people who aren't media. I hope this helps. I know this is just a rough draft, but if you need more information on what to do and how to do it, just ask. =] GOOD LUCK! I hope things work out.

Answer 3

I agree with the first answer. You're marketing in the wrong places.

What you might do is find some local community business groups, like the area board of realtors, chamber of commerce, kiwanis, lions, rotary, and see if any of them are doing charity fund raising involving auctioning items; if you put a piece or two in those, with NICE brochures for everyone, you'll reach people that buy $100 earrings, not $10 earrings. If you do custom work, you can put in a certificate for a custom piece instead, but you want something folks can see to build your name with that crowd.

Answer 4

People who go to juried art shows or on ebay aren't interested in spending a lot of money on art or jewelry, for the most part. They're looking for "cheap" good art. Your work sounds like it should be in a high-fashion boutique or high-end jewelry store. I realize you are disabled, but have you considered going in to some exclusive gift boutiques or unusual jewelry stores and selling them some of your pieces either wholesale or on consignment? You need to reach your target market and that sounds like people willing to spend some money to have something unusual. If you can't go out and sell, can you hire someone who has a certain degree of "presence" who can represent you for a commission? You may have to raise your prices but it might be worth considering.

Answer 5

Try to build your reputation on Ebay with at least 50 feedback with smaller items. IF you have more than 50 feedback and you have 100% positive feedback. Than, you should be getting sales. Is your shipping reasonable, do you try listing in different catagories?

Experiment with Ebay. Try starting a single item at a lower opening bid with a reserve and see what people are willing to pay on Ebay. Some merchandise catagories on Ebay are buyer's markets.

Answer 6

Wear a cute curduroy skirt or nice skirt (not jean). A nice knit top that is long sleeve (if it is cold) and your hair down would be fine. Maybe boots or clogs for shoes. Nothing to over the top, or too under dressed, just a little fancier than your normal school outfit. Wear something you would wear to a school concert or out to dinner.

Answer 7

whats the web site?