Comments on: Tips for Attending Gem Shows https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/gem-shows/ free jewelry tutorials, plus a friendly community sharing creative ideas for making and selling jewelry. Wed, 25 Oct 2017 23:54:10 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.15 By: Dita https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/gem-shows/#comment-11655 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:15:57 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=8935#comment-11655 What a great post and the two comments ahead of me are also so valuable. I have blown myself many a times before. So now I make a list exactly what I am going to look and the best price I found for them online or some where else. If the quality and price is better then only I go for it.

]]> By: Claudia Crawford https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/gem-shows/#comment-10269 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:20:45 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=8935#comment-10269 Having attended numerous gem shows over the years, here are a few tips that I can share. I usually look at my current inventory of beads and decide what elements I need to incorporate with what I already have, I’ll bring a small bag with one or two of each bead that I want to match up or complement. This keeps me more focused and I know that I am not just adding more inventory!

I also keep a the map or vendor list from each show and I make a note of which ones had good prices or merchandise. Many of them are there every season and I will make a point of finding them at the next show. In addition, vendors will send you coupons for free admission for future shows.

Of course, all of this does not keep me from browsing and finding new and exciting treasures to work with!!

]]> By: Karen Simmons-Milligan https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/gem-shows/#comment-3374 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:10:41 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=8935#comment-3374 One bit of advice I can offer, from learning the hard way, is when shopping “gem shows”, especially ones that are also open also to the public, do research ahead of time.

Know what wholesale prices on items should be- research on line- if everyone can see and get that price on beads and findings- it’s not really wholesale. Even “registering” on a web site does not necessarily mean true wholesale. If anyone can register by giving an email address, it’s not really wholesale.

When I first started my business, I did shop local gem shows with my resale license in hand thinking I would get better deals than ordering on line. I found the prices at shows are sometimes just a % off retail. The “public” may pay the tag price on an item, I may be offered 20% off that or the vendor sign might read “wholesale-50% off tag price” but everyone there is getting that price. It’s not really a wholesale price.

Heading to a true wholesale show- Trade Only- one that requires minimum wholesale orders has been the best route for me. I think I get the best realistic wholesale pricing. The minimum buy in purchase may seem like a lot but you will be truly getting a wholesale price. I save up and make the trek to Tucson every year- not only do I get wholesale prices, I usually score some amazing show specials!

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