Comments on: Choose Your Venue Carefully

By: Katarina

Katarina — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 06:12:18 +0000

I wish I could do wholesale! I used to have a good relationship with a museum buying wholesale and selling my jewelry in their Museun Shop. Nowadays they (and a lot of other museums in my town) have outsourced the shops to one company. And what we now have, is all the same chinese crap sold everywhere in the Museun Shops on this planet, just with different pics and logos.. 🙁
The saddest case was one museun that upped their profit from 40 to 60 %..
So now I have just on consignment with a design store (which doesn´t sell well) And thinking of quitting..

By: Janice Warren

Janice Warren — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:35:27 +0000

My first time consigning ended up in more stolen than bought. The shop owner was very reputable and paid me for them anyway but declined to keep them after a couple months. Good to know someone liked them:)

By: Karen Robison

Karen Robison — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 22:01:13 +0000

Good luck to you in finding a good place. I have done it and would not recommend it. One thing I have found is that the rates are going up and you have to price your items very high to make enough money. When I started it was 70/30% and now I find it is mostly 50/50 where I live. My first gallery experience was interesting to say the least. She never got my inventory correct and I know some items got lost when she closed her gallery. I will say in spite of that I loved working with her. She had so many stories about her home country of Greece and when she closed to be a full time art teacher at a local design school, I knew I would miss her a lot. My other experience was at a gallery that asked all jewelers to leave the store because it did not fit with their model. Weeks later jewelry was in the front window again. The owner makes jewelry and did not want to be honest that she did not like the competition.

By: Judith Durling

Judith Durling — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:12:06 +0000

I appreciate all the insight on this issue. I too, had an offer from a consignment shop. They were eager to get my nicely made jewelry which was more professional than what they had at the time. I am glad I did not go for it because I found out there was no walk-by patronage. Most of their ‘customers’ were the other crafters; no foot traffic to speak of. Some people have the revenue to set up a business but they are not business oriented, and certainly not business wise.

By: Maria Georgalas

Maria Georgalas — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:27:41 +0000

I found all this information so helpful, now I will be more confident if I decide to sell my work in a shop, thanks again, Maria.

By: Sherry Olson Elliott

Sherry Olson Elliott — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:05:49 +0000

Wonderful advice to all! So many things to think about and plan.

By: PhyllisC

PhyllisC — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 17:36:28 +0000

Great Advice! Really learned a lot! I’ve stayed with Craft shows & email sales and that keeps me very busy here in Fl, but this could be another venue when I’m ready to expand. Great info!
Thanks everyone

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 03:24:08 +0000

We have been very fortunate. We are in a gallery that is owned by a great lady who is very conscientious and easy to work with. We have had our jewelry in her gallery for a year now, and we are doing very well. She is very happy with us and our jewelry and we are happy with her. We share the gallery with 16 other artists, each one in a different medium. We are the only jewelers, which is ideal.
There are some good venues out there, but it does take research to find them.

By: Maretha Hines

Maretha Hines — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 21:08:37 +0000

Thanks for the advice

By: dondi

dondi — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:03:22 +0000

I haven’t branched out into the consignment shops yet but have been thinking about it. I really love the natural wood displays does anyone have any ideas I can use? Thanks!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:43:27 +0000

Hi Kristina! This post may help you: Jewelry Consignment Agreement. Also if you haven't already done so, you'll find a lot of helpful insights if you go through all of the posts in this category: Selling Jewelry Wholesale and on Consignment. Best of luck to you! :)

By: Kristina

Kristina — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:37:38 +0000

Hi,

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences here. Debbie Chalut mentioned a consignment contract that she had found online. Does anyone have a tip on a good site for this type of contract as well as a reseller contract? Thanks again for sharing!

By: Barbara Herndon

Barbara Herndon — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:01:01 +0000

To Joanne – It is unrealistic for a shop owner to consign with you for fifty percent. A reputable shop shouldn’t expect more than twenty to thirty per cent when the ownership of the pieces remain yours. Let them purchase the pieces at your regular wholesale price and mark-up as the market will bear.

Your line is nice! Make yourself a nice profit.

By: Diane

Diane — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:40:48 +0000

Really enjoyed hearing others’ experiences. I haven’t approached anyone with the wholesale idea, consignments only. I have had more “not so great” experiences than “great” but for the last 2 years have consigned – 60/40 – exclusively in a high end jewelry and crystal shop in a high traffic tourist area. Good sales and great relationship with owner. We discuss new ideas, share our thoughts, and I go to the “drawing board”. Thinking back I agree wholeheartedly that your gut is what should control your decisions about consigning. Thanks everyone.

By: Felicia

Felicia — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:37:34 +0000

I don’t consign anymore. Wholesale only. It’s the only way to go!

By: Lynne

Lynne — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 01:03:01 +0000

Debbie, she chose your jewelry because it was beautiful! Make no mistake about that. The store owner is at fault. Obviously, a true business person does not close shop after just opening. It makes no sense at all. Four months later she still didn’t have a clue as to how to run it! Much good luck to you in the future. We all learned from your experience. You’ve made us that much wiser. Many thanks!

By: Karen I

Karen I — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 02:17:24 +0000

I recently met with a new shop owner. As I was doing a “show and tell” another artist approached us and asked if the checks were ready.
The owner very nicely told her that they weren’t. The artist agreed to stop by later in the day to pick it up, and left.
We had agreed on a few pieces and I was to return in a few days and set it up.
As I was leaving, I kept thinking….something just doesn’t feel right.
The day I was to set up my display, I thought to call first, just to be sure everything was still a go. Well, she had decided to take the day off instead and we agreed I’d come the next morning. Upon arriving the next day, I found the shop dark. Frustrated, I went to the shop next door to just wait a bit for the shop owner. She called a few minetes later and I returned to her shop. She then proceeded to tell me she was thinking about closing her shop…needless to say, I promptly wished her luck and left. On the drive home I kept saying to myself ” I knew it”.
Moral of the story….always listen to and follow your gut.

By: Rain

Rain — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:43:23 +0000

The bad experiences of others – including having to practically harrass the owner to get paid and having an owner close up shop and disappear with merchandise – caused me to have a “no consignment” policy. I’ve been on the other end of consignment and it’s a pain for the store owner as well. I tell people that I don’t do consignment but, if an item isn’t selling, I’m happy to come trade it out for something else. That keeps both of us happy. I have my money and they aren’t stuck with product that isn’t selling.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:29:36 +0000

Yes, it’s exciting to sell your jewelry in a retail enviornment for the first time! But you must go with your gut and check out the owners track record with business.

My experience was not good! Faithfully paid rent for months for my space in consignment store waiting for that all important holiday season! My jewelry started to sell -yay! But yay turned to nay when the owner went out of business and took my profits and my down payment on the space. Almost one year later still waiting for payment and have basically given up.

As others have said trust your gut, check out the owner and if it doesn’t feel right – get out. You want to make money not lose it!

By: Joanne Stow Boyimgton

Joanne Stow Boyimgton — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 15:27:48 +0000

I have an opportunity to sell some small jewelry items I “invented” for stocking stuffers at a local Pharmacy. She wants 50% of the price for them, and I cannot see how I can pay for the materials out of my 1/2 and make any money. Does anyone else consign items for a 50-50 split? How can I tell her I want my materials’ cost off the top of the price, then I will split the rest with her, 50-50? Thanx

By: Cat

Cat — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 06:37:32 +0000

Wholesale…that’s the way to go! When stores buy wholesale from me, naturally they don’t pay retail. I usually give 30% off, which is much less than most consignment shops will charge you. With consignment, it only makes sense that because the owner doesn’t have an investment in your product, they are less apt to work to move it out the door. Especially if they carry their own work, or work from a family member or friend. Whose work do you think will move first?

With wholesale, your obligation (except for whatever guarantee you include with your work, of course) ends at the door. You have cash in hand, and the owner is motivated to move your jewelry, as they have an investment in it already.

You will hear all the usual excuses when someone wants to consign your work instead of buying it outright…they just started, they don’t have alot of money to invest right away, they aren’t sure if what you have will sell, blah, blah, blah. Don’t be discouraged. Shop around, no pun intended, for an established store that has the capital to invest outright, and look for a shop that your work will “fit” with. Trying to sell upscale handmade jewelry in a shop that has a ton of cheap China duplicates probably isn’t a good venue for you!

The most important thing? Don’t let any store owner make you feel like they’re doing you a favor. You are the artisan. You are the one creating these delectable pieces that are sure to get their store noticed! You have to have faith in what you create. Be firm on your discount, too. I know other artisans that don’t give a 30% until the buyer is at $5000, but in my area, that’s ludicrous to expect. A lot depends on where you are located. Obviously, if you’re in a metropolis, you have more choices, and can lower your percentage of discount. But it really depends on what you can live with. I can live with 70%.

It’s worth it to have the transaction done and over with. No checking to see if they’ve sold anything, or if they’re even trying, etc. Believe me, if they’ve already invested, they’re trying! If they haven’t invested, your things could end up in boxes, hidden away like Rena’s did.

When all is said and done, go with your gut. I happen to have a wonderful working relationship with the owner of a store near me, and he’s a real gem. My stuff moves, and he and I get together regularly to restock. You can find the gems out there, you just have to believe that there is that “perfect spot” for your work!

By: Sally B

Sally B — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:20:35 +0000

I have had little success with consignments. One shop owner even went so far as to tell me that customers like to “find” things when she displayed my jewelry on a bottom shelf of an etagere. I agree that if the store seems poorly organized or the owner seems like he/she does not know how to handle consignment, DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING THERE. I have branched out to trunk shows and private showings and by making my items less available, the customers are seeking me out (even without a website).

By: Laurel Hanson

Laurel Hanson — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 22:04:18 +0000

I’ve done a few consignment shops, crafts malls (remember them?) and holiday boutiques over the years, most of which were only good for teaching me what NOT to do.

Now I only work with shops that will buy my jewelry wholesale. When we try some new pieces or new styles, I offer to exchange jewelry that isn’t moving with fresh inventory so the owner doesn’t feel they are stuck with something that won’t sell. When I replace inventory, I also sell more new pieces, so I come home with a check that goes right into the bank.

Win – win!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:12:56 +0000

Yeah, the take-home is always go with your guts. Don’t worry about offending the dodgy store owners. If they are of the slimy persuasion, they count on your fundamental niceness and hesitation to give offence. That’s how they make their living. If they are well-meaning but clueless in business, you still don’t want to be the one funding their learning curve and underwriting their failure with your jewellery. I know I’m not as “nice” a person as I used to be.

By: Natasha Burger

Natasha Burger — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:54:32 +0000

I love having consignment at the local gift shop. The shop is fairly new but well run and organized, it is in a good location and the shop style works well with my jewelery style. I get to have a permanent display and rotate my pieces monthly. I have a written contract and a great working relationship with the owner. I had no idea if things would work out for me there, but it was worth a try and it has been well worth the initial risk

By: Cyreathia Reyer

Cyreathia Reyer — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:58:38 +0000

This is a great column. I too have had a horror story with a shop. A local lady opened a shop which was just suppose to be for local artists. I rented my booth space and did really well in the beginning. Then she slowly turned the store in to a junk store (garage sale stuff) plus not keeping regular hours – never being open when she said she was going to be. Also, she kept putting items in the space I was paying rent on. Didn’t take me long to pull my jewelry out of there once the changes took place. If someone seems flighty in the beginning – RUN.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:19:02 +0000

I’ve been fairly lucky so far, although two stores closed this year and a gallery gift shop from last year still has to reopen (but it will be a spectacular venue) but one of the places I absolutely stay away from are those gifty-crafty stores that look like an explosion, you know the type, that sell everything in the world from teas to peppermint sticks to hats to gewgaws and designery-cutesy household items and everything is jumbled haphazardly into a tiny space.

The other thing is not to give them a ton of stuff which is the mistake I’ve made in the past. The store won’t put it all out, and that’s how things develop little legs.