Share Your Jewelry Display Lighting
by Rena Klingenberg.
Jewelry display lighting examples - top row: clip-on lamp, stick-on lights; bottom row: rope lights, desk lamp.
Jewelry display lighting examples – top row: clip-on lamp, stick-on lights; bottom row: rope lights, desk lamp.
Jewelry display lighting examples – top row: clip-on lamp, stick-on lights; bottom row: rope lights, desk lamp.
Jewelry display lighting is one of the most important elements of your booth.
When I first started selling my jewelry, I thought lights would be too much of a pain to deal with.
So for my first few shows I relied on whatever lighting was available at the shows I did (which usually meant inadequate ceiling lights at indoor shows, and a combination of sun and shade at outdoor shows).
Finally, after noticing how fantastic all of my fellow jewelers’ work looked in the jewelry display lighting they brought with them, I realized that it’s essential to have your own booth lights.
Once I started bringing my own lamps (the black lamp at the bottom right in the photo above – also discussed in My Display Booth Lights), I was amazed to discover that my booth got more traffic – and that I sold significantly more jewelry.
So because of the importance of lights to our success at shows,
I invite you to tell us about
YOUR jewelry display lighting system
in the comments below.
You may want to mention things like:
- what kind of lamps / light fixtures you use
- how many lights you use in your booth
- where you got your lights
- what kind of light bulbs you use
- what you do for power cords, power strips, etc. (if they’re plug-in lights)
- whether your lights are solar, battery-powered, or whatever (if they’re not plug-in lights)
- how you transport your lights safely to and from shows.
Comments:
Jewelry Display Lights
by: Marianne
Like you I use desk lamps. Mine are silver, though, which makes them blend in well with my all-silver jewelry on display. My lamps came from Target perhaps five years ago, and the lamp heads have lovely arching “necks” that I can hang jewelry from, so they do double-duty as displays.
I have a surge protector-power strip under each of my booth tables and plug my lamps into those. I usually have to use an extension cord to connect my surge protectors to the wall outlet at shows.
I do only indoor shows, so electricity is normally not a problem, as long as I get my show application in early and request a space with electrical access.
Oh, and I use white-light bulbs in my lamps.
Indoor & Outdoor versions
by: Annette
I use halogen desk lamps from IKEA for indoor shows – up to 10 of them depending on my display set up. They are only 10watts each so it doesn’t overload the power supply/availability. I plug these into powerboards and always take an extra long extension cord. All of the lights fit into a large plastic tub and toting the extra tub is worth it. As my booth is so brightly lit, people flock to it like moths to a flame! And of course, then they can see the jewellery clearly!
I am doing a three day outdoor show at the end of the month and being concerned with poor weather I’ve bought some battery powered LED lights from a camping/outdoor store. (I haven’t been able to find any solar versions locally) I haven’t done a trial set up yet, but I have two standing lamps with 16 LEDs each which will come to just above my table, and 3 hanging lamps with 23 LEDs each that I can hang fairly low over the table. Hopefully these will give sufficient light if the weather makes it dim! These all take up a lot less space so transporting them won’t add much to the pile.
My Booth Lights
by: Carol Bradley
I use swing-arm desk lamps that clamp to the table edge. I have two sets. One has clear frosted plastic shades. I bought them at Home Depot years ago and they no longer are available there. I use daylight CFL bulbs.
I use 4 lights for 12 feet of table space (2 4-foot and 1 6-foot). I can plug two or three straight into the power strip and use an extension cord for the remaining lamp(s). I have 3 different heavy (3-prong) outdoor extension cords that I plug the power cord into. The outdoor cords are 7 feet, 12 feet, and 20 feet. It’s good to have a variety so I don’t end up with a big pile of excess cord in my booth. I always take duct tape because some shows require you to tape down the cords.
All the lighting necessities fit in a tall Rubbermaid tote.
There are some photos here – http://www.flickr.com/photos/28056857@N05/4430830876/in/set-72157623614841970/ .
Carol Bradley’s Booth
by: Anonymous
Carol,
You booth is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors and the placement of your displays. The wooden displays are amazing.
Thanks to you all for your lighting info. I haven’t participated in a show yet, but I’ve been working on my booth set-up. I learn so much from this site! Thanks Rena!
Melanie Peckham
www.peckhamm.etsy.com
Worry about the lamps being hot
by: Anonymous
Does anyone have any tips to make sure the lamps are not too hot and hav a potential to burn clients?
Bulb recommendation
by: Carol Bradley
The compact fluorescent bulbs are not hot at all. When I used them last weekend, I checked for heat. I didn’t feel any heat from the bulb when I put my hand 1″ away from it. The lamps had metal shades. The shades were warm but not hot like they are with a regular bulb. You’d have to touch the bulb directly for more than a second to get burned.
LED Display lighting
by: John A
We bought some LED lighting products from www.lightingatlanta.org.
This was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
Not only did the store get much cooler but the 3 different white light colors available made all of my merchandise look outstanding. I went with the Diamond 1 LED’s for diamond Jewelry, Diamond 2 for semi precious stones and 5000K light for General merchandise. Electricity bill dropped over 80% and now I don’t have to worry about changing any of my light bulbs, from ceiling to cases for the next 10 to 15 years. And being American made just made me feel better if I ever have any Warranty issues!
i would highly recommend these LED lamps!!
Jewelry Display Lighting
by: Rena
Thanks so much to all for these fantastic lighting recommendations!
John – great to hear about your experience with the LED’s. Less electricity usage and longer bulb life are great benefits!
