How Your Jewelry Can Help Your Kids’ School
it’s also good for you
and your jewelry business!
© by Linda Blackbourn; all rights reserved.
Agate drusy, shell, and gemstone necklace by Linda Blackbourn
Along with being a jewelry designer, business owner and website builder for my small business, A-Z Jewelry Design, I am the mother of three school-age children.
Over the years I have become more and more involved in their school, and it dawned on me that being an involved mother has been very good for my jewelry business, as well as for my children.
Here are a few examples:
Silent Auction Fundraiser
Every year, our school has a Silent Auction as a fundraiser. To me this is an opportunity!
I ALWAYS donate a nice set of jewelry to put up for bid. I make sure it is well photographed for the catalog, and that it is displayed beautifully at the event. I make sure there are plenty of my business cards prominently displayed and available, along with my little cards promoting jewelry home parties.
I get a lot of traffic from this form of advertising. The school gets a nice donation. Some lucky person gets a nice set of jewelry (and often becomes a customer). And, I feel very good about contributing to a worthy cause. (Plus – I get to write it off on my taxes!)
Peacock gray mother of pearl earrings by Linda Blackbourn
Discounted Teacher Gifts
I also make my jewelry available at a discounted price for teachers’ gifts. I do this not only because I think that the teachers deserve it, but also I get the news out to parents that I make jewelry.
At the holidays, I run a note on the PTA listserve as a service to the parents. They appreciate it! Parents are looking for nice, reasonably priced gifts for teachers.
Gemstone heart charm bracelet by Linda Blackbourn
School Fairs –
“Design Your Own Jewelry” Table
School Fairs are another opportunity – for fun, and for business!
Every year, I offer to set up a craft table at our Spring Fair. I bring my tools, and cheap, base metal findings to make jewelry, (with clip-ons, base metal lobster claws, stringing wire and cheap, colorful beads). I let the kids design their own jewelry, and they love it!
It is the most popular table every year. I have nominal prices for earrings and bracelets – and all proceeds go to the PTA.
I have a big pile of business cards there for the moms and dads, and I wear some of my “real” jewelry so they get an idea of what I really do. Everyone has a blast, and I donate hundreds to the school – all as a tax writeoff for me!
I’m sure there are many more good ideas out there. The trick is to stay involved. It’s good for you. It’s good for your kids! It’s good for the life of the school. And – it’s good for your jewelry business!
Author Linda Blackbourn of A-Z Jewelry Design creates handcrafted gemstone jewelry. Her specialty is unique, handmade beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets using the finest gemstones, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls in .925 Serling Silver and 14 Kt Gold Filled Metals.
