Comments on: Doing Business with Jewelry Making Friends: How do we say “No”?

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:29:14 +0000

Lots of helpful thoughts here on this issue – thank you! 🙂

By: Jeanna Stapleton

Jeanna Stapleton — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:07:15 +0000

I have not had other jewelry artists ask me to sell/promote their pieces. However, I do have plenty of friends both close and acquaintance level that sell Pampered Chef, Avon, Tastefully Simple, 31 etc. I have had numerous requests to co-host a party with both of us selling our wares. What I decided to do was be honest, yet professional. I started by saying that I was flattered that they like my pieces enough to want to team up. However, I have so many friends that participate with companies that allow you to be in business for yourself that I just decline all requests for co-hosting so as not to hurt anyone’s feelings. Additionally, I pointed out that most of us have some kind of incentive/reward program allowing hosts to earn free items. If people attend something with 2 vendors they are forced to spend all at one, or part at both. In doing so, it makes it more likely that the host will not hit the levels with either vendor. Let’s be honest , having 2 vendors does not put any more money in attendees pockets. I have only had one person get upset with this approach, they were an acquaintance. Sometimes offering instead to attend one of their parties softens the decline, especially if it is a dear friend. Good luck.

By: Bobbie Rafferty

Bobbie Rafferty — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 15:31:19 +0000

I agree with the previous comments, but I’d also add that, if your business is to sell your own creations, it would be misleading and confusing for your customers to start seeing works by other artisans mixed in. You started this to provide an exclusive opportunity for your customers to find your work. If you put it that way to your friends, surely they’ll understand.

By: Anne Mulligan

Anne Mulligan — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 14:33:19 +0000

Pam, I’m glad you brought up the facebook issue. I’m on a few online forums for jewelry designers and there always seems to be somebody starting a new “Let’s like each other’s facebook pages!” thread. Frankly, I don’t see the point and think it just clutters my newsfeed with posts in which I have no interest.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:48:57 +0000

Like Mary, I’m not permitted to sell other people’s work at the venues I sell at. I wouldn’t, even if I could, for the very reasons stated above (liability, quality, blowback on ME if the other person’s work breaks and is returned).

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 11:58:31 +0000

I’ve seen this dilemma too! In some Facebook groups set up for jewelry artisans, it seems to be a popular custom to have these pushes for “You “like” my business page, and I’ll “like” yours back.” The idea is to get exposure for everyone’s work, but although this is very simple, takes no more than a click on the “like” button, it DOES presesnt the situation of advertising others’ work on my own page. I don’t mind occasionally posting a plug for an artisan I personally admire, but am careful that any I promote will be making something very different product than my own. I like being a member in these types of networking groups, as the networking of ideas and tips is very helpful, but I created my Facebook business page to get my own work out there, not that of my competition! It does present a dilemma though, when others kindly “like” my page – it seems unfair not to reciprocate. I’ve left a few groups rather than come across as selfish – would like to know how others handle this.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 04:50:00 +0000

Thanks for that great answer, Mary!

Susan, I agree with Mary that you could honestly but kindly tell your friends that you’ve already got a full plate, focusing on developing and promoting your own brand and products. So you simply don’t have the time or energy to focus on promoting their jewelry as well.

Aside from the important issue of the friends’ jewelry not being the same quality as yours, there would also be a lot of extra hassles for you that your friend(s) probably haven’t thought of. Here are just a couple of examples:

If they want you to actually sell your jewelry for them, you probably don’t want to be responsible for any loss or damage that might occur to your friends’ jewelry in your possession.

Also, to sell their jewelry you’d need to have some sort of a written agreement about handling, promoting, displaying, and selling their work.

If customers buy the friends’ jewelry and have a problem with it, they may bring the problem back to you, since you promoted it to them. That may reflect on their opinion of your jewelry, since they’ll probably assume that all jewelry you promote is yours.

If your jewelry sells well but the friends’ jewelry doesn’t, the friends may feel that you didn’t promote their work adequately.

And so on. I think it’s best to be brief, kind, and honest with your friends by saying that you just don’t have time to promote other artists’ jewelry lines. The friends probably have no idea of how much extra stuff they’re asking you to take on … especially while you’re putting all your energy into launching and establishing your own work.

By: Mary Morris

Mary Morris — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:55:12 +0000

Most venues I sell at don’t allow me to display other artists. I am full of information on how they can get into the business. I just don’t have time to promote others. I have drawers full of my own pieces waiting to be photographed. I’m honest with my friends as bout that.