Comments on: Ready To Throw In The Towel … https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/ free jewelry tutorials, plus a friendly community sharing creative ideas for making and selling jewelry. Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:47:01 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.15 By: Rena Klingenberg https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-575911 Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:47:01 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-575911 In reply to Theresa Abell.

Theresa, I so agree about the cheap mass produced jewelry at shows, and about finding out who the vendors will be. Then at the show, one of the things I do is to make a point of showing all the quality features in my jewelry – features that the customers won’t find on the cheap manufactured stuff. šŸ™‚

]]> By: Theresa Abell https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-575856 Tue, 02 Jan 2018 18:46:25 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-575856 I have done a lot of craft shows this year and where my jewelry is concerned, my biggest competitor is the “made in China – mass produced jewelry….cheap, cheap, cheap”. I even have a networking “friend” that brags on her “cheap” necklace she just purchased. I simply tell her to not come to me to fix it when it breaks. (I do repairs for my church ladies & our jewelry resale shop there).
I’ve learned to ask the coordinator of the craft show “who” else is going to be there – if they’re not handcrafted then I pause to really consider that venue.
Good luck on your unique style! Everyones comments comments are all great! And doing your own thing makes your heart sing.

]]> By: Karen Watson https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-316584 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:36:28 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-316584 I totally agree with Rena..Don’t give up! I can see how your jewelry would appeal to younger people, who don’t have credit cards,etc. And..the pictures do need to be less busy, and focus less on the model, and more on the piece. Emphasize in your advertising, that these would be a great gift for a teenager..That being said, most mothers I know would shy away from things shown on a beautiful, sexy model.

]]> By: Autumn Cheree' https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4237 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:24:21 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4237 @Janet interesting…. Thanks!!
@Dianne woah your last sentence gave me butterflies thank you so much for your positive words! <3
@Jody yes I really did put myself out there lol once I submitted my story I thought "Woah…..What did I just do???" Well I'm just being honest and from what I read here in the community I am not alone so I knew I'd be ok to let it all hang out šŸ˜€ I hope you & I will have better stories to submit later this year! Take care šŸ˜€

]]> By: Dianne https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4206 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:08:47 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4206 Autumn,
First I want to say WELCOME! You do belong here!
Rena of course is right (she always is).
Another thing I woud like to add is that summer is slow for all venues. I work at Simon Pearce by day and we are dead. This is the time for family and vacations, not so much shopping, especailly online.
Take comfort though…I have taken some information from my day job and that is simply that this is the time to prepare for the BIG shopping season that is just around the corner.
From what I can see, Rena’s new Ebook might be a good read for you.
Please do not throw in the towel! We all have trouble with the marketing aspect of this business…we are artisits, not salesman for the most part. Keep trying to get your jewelry seen in person, touched and appreciated and follow all the wonderful advice here. It takes time to make a business successful. The fact that you did so well right out out of the gate is promising…keep going, you CAN do this!

]]> By: Jody Lanham https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4204 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:58:19 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4204 Hi Autumn and everyone else… I think it is brave of you to share your failure (or feeling of it) and put yourself out there like that. I have been making and selling jewelry for about 5 years and there certainly are ups and downs!

Right now I feel like I am in a downslide and can’t seem to resurface. I have, like you, tried a variety of styles from Native-American/Southwest inspired to bling-bling big and bold and vintage, dainty, “traditional”, gemstones, metal, wire, feathers, leather, Lucite, pearls, buttons, shells, etc etc.

Like you, I hear, “your jewelry is awesome, your stuff is so unique, you are very creative, your stuff is really different from any of the other jewelry here”, etc. But I have to ask myself why are my sales dropping? Why do people say such complimentary things then not buy? I ask myself, is it me? Do I talk too much, is my demeanor too stiff? Am I trying too hard? Have I lost some of my creativity and uniqueness and even some innocence in my quest for reaching more clients and selling more pieces?

I don’t have a web site and don’t use Etsy, I do attend a fair amount of art/craft shows and used to do really well. I am about to retire from my regular job and had hoped to make jewelry my new full-time (well maybe part-time, it is retirement after all!) career but now I am wondering if that is just wishful thinking? By the way, Autumn, I like your stuff too, it is really cool.

Jody

]]> By: janet https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4161 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:52:14 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4161 Hi Autumn. I just wanted to let you know that i have had buying experiences from other web sites where i did not get the exact item pictured. Some people use a general picture then send whatever color or such that they have on hand. Hence the question, “will I get what is pictured.” I try to state somewhere in my description that you are getting the item that is pictured. But if you start selling at craft shows and such, be prepared for some strange questions. Just answer them as best and politely as you can then laugh about it later. The main thing for me is just to enjoy what you are doing. Best of luck.:-)

]]> By: Autumn Cheree' https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4142 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:35:30 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4142 Thank you ladies lots of great ideas & insights šŸ™‚ I definitely feel more confident in continuing my path to GREATNESS lol šŸ˜€ I do have a shop on Etsy and I plan to do more work from that site oppose to my private website so I can target those teens and kids. My kid earrings go from $5 – $35 at the most. I like the bling idea šŸ™‚ *taking notes* šŸ™‚

]]> By: Vicky https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4128 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:02:51 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4128 Brilliant idea above about contacting the school. I haven’t yet looked at your etsy site, but do your prices match your Market? Ask your friends with older kids how much allowance the kids get, and ensure your stuff is affordable. find ways to make it up more cheaply if necessary.

That was mean of someone to ask if they would get what they ordered, there’s always one nuisance! I have a little disclaimer on my site that says if people don’t like the thing when they have received it I will refund if they send it back at their own expense. It always pays to be ultra ultra nice to people. someone once claimed that something I sent had arrived broken (impossible, frankly). So I made a really big fuss about it and asked her to return it and I would claim it from the postal company, and I offered her a replacement that I could make using the broken one as a template etc etc. Oddly enough I didn’t hear from her again, despite a couple of equally apologetic reminders!!

Anyway, enough about me. your stuff is really cool, and you need to tap that teenage grunge market. Maybe you could offer teenage ‘customise your bling’ parties? And make stuff for boys too – they don’t like being left out!

]]> By: Kathleen Davis https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4115 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:19:25 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4115 I have an idea for you. Call some of the schools in your area to see if you can do a fundraiser. Donate a portion of your profit to a worthy cause. Maybe they are raising money for books or supplies. See if they might be willing to have you come in at lunch time to sell your items. Other places also might be interested if you donate a portion of the profit and it would increase your sales and get you more exposure. I do this and give to my local animal shelter. So there are all kinds of creative ways. I have the local newspaper writing an article about me and my jewelry and they love it that I give back to the community. Good luck to you. I hope this helps.

]]> By: Dorothy Hubbard https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4113 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:13:53 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4113 Autumn,
I agree with these ladies post and if you follow their suggestions you will be alright. You are in the right place and like myself I have learn so much being here. So hang in there and you are going to be ok!!!

]]> By: Susie https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4101 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:18:07 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4101 Hi! Dont give up! I just looked at your shop on etsy and I noticed you just opened not to long ago. list some of the hoop earrings they are so cool and I would use all of your tags as well, maybe put in a tag that says teen jewelry or teen girl you will get a lot more views this way also I added you to my circle bc the networking on etsy is a good way to get your name out there as well. Go to the forums and join some promotion groups there you can promote your shop and earrings like crazy and that will give you more views, Summer is sometimes slow but when september hits all the way to January you will see some action Im sure. I love your hoop earrings! Keep it up you will do great!

]]> By: Autumn Cheree' https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4089 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:02:18 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4089 Thank you ladies! I didn’t know summer would be so slow because I figured I’d do well given all the bright summer colors I use šŸ™‚ You are right I do need a white background but I didn’t realize it was hard to see it tho. Thanks for welcoming me! I had a breakdown but you guys inspire me to do better and keep going šŸ™‚ I won’t throw in the towel! Much love,
Autumn Cheree’

]]> By: Val https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4078 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:35:11 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4078 Hi Autumn,

Your work is so fun! I love the pieces! I agree with Rena about the photos. A plain background will really make the items “pop”. Try playing around with your camera’s features, particularly the “macro” feature. Jewelry photos always look best taken in natural light.

I am not too savvy with reaching the younger market but Pinterest may be a good free place for you to post your jewelry. I feel like my sales have increased from posting my stuff there and I have noticed that there are younger people on there as well as all ages!

Best of luck! ~Val

]]> By: Tammie https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4070 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:02:19 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4070 Rena is right, one so many points.
Especially the photos. A neutral background and a good picture are essential for selling online. It’s all people have to go on.
Look at other ETSY shops that you like & have had a lot of sales, how do their pics look?
Remember too, that selling has seasons and summer is generally a very slow time of year. In fall, people begin to spend and shop for the holidays. Try signing up for a craft show hosted by a school or church. They are generally affordable and you will have many of your target audience in the crowd.
Don’t get discouraged, it takes a while to get established and have repeat customers.

]]> By: Nikki Bishop https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-4060 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:44:55 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-4060 Hi,

I could totally see your stuff selling in a big city like Montreal or New York…

]]> By: Rena Klingenberg https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/ready-to-throw-in-the-towel/#comment-3957 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 04:15:10 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=15043#comment-3957 Hi Autumn!

First I want to reassure you that you DO belong here! šŸ™‚ We make and appreciate all kinds of jewelry, from all kinds of materials and techniques – so you absolutely fit right in. šŸ™‚ And we’re glad to have you here.

Now about your “where are the sales” question:

You are doing a lot of things right – hence the good sales you’ve had periodically, and the passionate feedback like “YOUR JEWELRY IS SO BEAUTIFUL! Iā€™M IN LOVE.”

I think you’re targeting the right people (younger crowd) for the styles you make – and you’re really incorporating your love of color into your work. A lot of people are powerfully moved by color, and I like that you’re not toning it down but embracing it in your work. That will definitely resonate strongly with some folks.

Also the fact that you’re constantly creating new stuff is a great enticement for your fans to keep coming back to see what you’ve got now.

Here’s one thing I would highly recommend for you:

Because your jewelry is so colorful and energetic, it would be hugely helpful to your customers if you photographed it on plain white or black backgrounds. My middle-aged eyes are finding it difficult to distinguish your jewelry from the busy backgrounds in some of your photos – for example, in your third and fourth photos above, I’m not certain exactly which part of what I’m seeing is the actual jewelry.

I’d love to be able to really see your jewelry better. If I were you, I would work toward taking photos that really showcase your jewelry. Work on getting clearer photos, and experiment with photo editing to help with contrasts, light, and sharpness.

Also, in addition to plain backgrounds, I would experiment with having just one piece of jewelry per photo instead of groupings. That will make individual pieces bigger and easier to see, and also people can focus on and appreciate just that one piece when they see it solo.

Now about your online sales – I’m not sure how young your “younger crowd” is – but if they’re under 18 they probably don’t have credit cards, Paypal accounts, or other means of making purchases online. So if you’re targeting teens and younger, you might do better to attract them via your social media, but connect with them in person to actually make sales.

See if you can find out the kinds of places where they shop – and that should give you some ideas for getting more great jewelry sales from them!

For example, if there are certain stores they shop in, you may want to see if you can get your jewelry sold by those stores.

And be sure to build a customer list you can contact to let them know when you have exciting new stuff. For example, the folks who were part of your exciting $600 in sales could have been invited to sign up for your email list so you could stay in touch and show them peeks of your newest creations.

I hope these suggestions help, Autumn! I really like the colors and vibrancy of your work – and based on your past successes and fans’ comments, I think if you keep working on your photography and find out the best ways to connect with your target audience, you’ll be on your way.

Thanks for sharing with us what you’re doing! šŸ™‚

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