How I’ve Benefited from Local Artists Who Don’t Make Jewelry
by Rena Klingenberg.
Some of the most valuable contacts in my jewelry business have been local artists who create non-jewelry art.
I’ve discovered that these woodworkers, painters, ceramic artists, glass blowers, sculptors, fiber artists, etc. are often delightful kindred spirits.
They’re also full of interesting tips and ideas that developed from the unique challenges of making and selling their type of art – but that can also be applied to jewelry.
Their friends and family are frequent customers of my work.
And I send my friends and family over to them too.
At one show my next-door neighbors stopped by my booth, and we wound up chatting about their house re-decorating project.
So I sent them over to my watercolorist friend’s booth, where they purchased a large painting for their new family room.
Later, at another show, that same watercolorist friend brought her adorable elderly mother to shop at my booth.
Within a few minutes her mother purchased one of my higher-priced pendants from me, and had me put the pendant on her right away.
“Because,” the elderly lady said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “I might not have much time to wear it!”
Another local artist I’d become friends with over the years eventually opened a shop to sell her own glass creations – and I was one of the few artists whose work she invited to be in her new store.
And I’ve done some wonderful trades with my fellow artists – receiving things like the beautiful handmade bowls we use every day in our kitchen – in exchange for my jewelry.
My non-jewelry local artist connections and I have also kept one another posted about new shows, galleries in nearby towns, and other opportunities for selling our work.
And we’ve shared with each other our interesting ideas for product packaging, setting up a booth, connecting with customers, and using marketing materials.
There’s a lot of good stuff we can give and receive with artists who work in other media.
If you haven’t already forged these lovely friendships, it all starts by simply being friendly and getting to know each other at shows and other art events.
Support the work of these artists, share tips and resources with them, and promote them – and they’ll do the same for you.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with non-jewelry artists!
