Selling Handmade jewellery

Millie2008_2

Ok, this may turn into a bit of a waffle...apologies in advance!!

I make handmade jewellery. Nothing too complex, just beady stuff. Don't want to post my fotopic website on here as don't want to be identified too easily, but if anyone is feeling v nosy:rotfl: PM me (I know someone who I think uses this site)..

Anyhow, I sell bits to the odd person, but I am the worst salesperson ever, I swear;) Maybe I don't value my time enough or something, but I always try to give the stuff away...

But I can really see the potential to make money.For example, I make something that takes 5 mins and costs £3 in materials, sell for £8....

But I don't know how to sell...

I have looked into ebay, but there is way too much competition on there and too much cheap stuff from abroad. I am thinking etsy and am looking into it at the moment, but again, lots on there. I am also thinking of party plan type things, whereby people take boxes of jewellery into work for a week, then get a (generous) % of profits, maybe on-line jewellery parties?? Cheapest things I make (and still make a profit) are £1 earrings..

Any suggestions? It is soooo frustrating knowing that the potential is there:rolleyes:

Thanks in advance peeps

skint_spice

craft fairs maybe? make up a load in advance then just a days selling.

or maybe speak to someone in a tearoom/card shop about taking some of your stuff on sale or return?

just ideas...

Puzzledbubbles

Hey,

We have a woman who comes into work every two or three months, i think she knows one of the staff - she just sets herself up in one of the meeting rooms and we all have a good mooch in lunch time

Also have you thought about selling at car boots?

HTH

skint_spice

another thing is - I used to do craft fairs with a friend sometimes to keep her company selling stuff she made. she said I always sold a lot more than her though and as I'm not a particularly amazing sales person I think it was because she was embarassed about bumming up her stuff whereas I thought it was good and wasn't being immodest saying so! so if you've got a pushy pal...

ltm07

Millie2008 wrote: »

Ok, this may turn into a bit of a waffle...apologies in advance!!

I make handmade jewellery. Nothing too complex, just beady stuff. Don't want to post my fotopic website on here as don't want to be identified too easily, but if anyone is feeling v nosy:rotfl: PM me (I know someone who I think uses this site)..

Anyhow, I sell bits to the odd person, but I am the worst salesperson ever, I swear;) Maybe I don't value my time enough or something, but I always try to give the stuff away...

But I can really see the potential to make money.For example, I make something that takes 5 mins and costs £3 in materials, sell for £8....

But I don't know how to sell...

I have looked into ebay, but there is way too much competition on there and too much cheap stuff from abroad. I am thinking etsy and am looking into it at the moment, but again, lots on there. I am also thinking of party plan type things, whereby people take boxes of jewellery into work for a week, then get a (generous) % of profits, maybe on-line jewellery parties?? Cheapest things I make (and still make a profit) are £1 earrings..

Any suggestions? It is soooo frustrating knowing that the potential is there:rolleyes:

Thanks in advance peeps

Friend's OH makes handmade jewellery & hires a table at a market. He says she can make up to £50 a time on a Saturday.

outrageous_monkey

I make jewellery too, but its a hobby so making money from it, hasnt cropped up yet.

But I belong to a few jewellery making websites in the Uk and USA. What ideas I have gleamed from these websites is, etsy seems to be the best.....mainly american buyers tho.

If you decide to sell at craft fairs, find out how many other jewellery artistes are going to be there too, you dont want to much competition.....and if you do decide to show at a fair, take your beads, findings and tools with you so customers can see what you are doing, plus it attracts attention.

What about asking in a local hairdressers/ beauty salon if you can put a display unit in to display your jewellery, come to some agreement that anything that sells, the shop owner gets a certain cut.

Good luck, its an addictive hobby tho, isnt it??

moanymoany

Infant/junior - first/middle schools are good places. Phone and ask the secretary if you can go in and set up over lunchtime. Best times are beginning of month - just paid, Christmas shopping time.

Try offering a percentage of your takings for the school. I've done this and I know others who 'party' sell who've done it - candles, ceramics, that kind of thing. You could also offer party to sell. Mostly women teach in these schools and as they are often second incomes they seem to have a lot of disposable income. Most people I know have done well here.

JoeHel

BAILIFFCHASER wrote: »

You could sell on ebay and wait for it use 2 ids. ! to sell with and the other to bid with. Also make sure you cover your profits in postage charges. Also make sure that when you bid and list one is done with internet explorer and the other is done with mozilla or another browser.

Why do you need 2 IDs? I only have one ID and manage to buy and sell quite successfully on ebay. I think jewellery would be the perfect thing to put up for sale on ebay as it would be quite inexpensive to wrap and post. If you are inferring the poster should put items for sale on ebay and then bid on them herself with the second ID you should be aware that is illegal.

jess444_2

Hi,
There is an american site - Etsy - that you might want to look at - I have sold a few pieces on there. It allows you to list for a few months for a small fee. However handmade jewelry is very difficult to sell as it is a very popular hobby. I have sold some at craft fairs, but made very little profit after paying for the table, etc. Have never managed to sell on Ebay. I now make most of mine as a hobby and give as presents. Good luck.

immoral_angeluk

Bailiffchaser is on about shill bidding.. basically bidding on your own items to bump up the price for the genuine buyers.
It's very much frowned upon by ebay and if you're caught you risk being banned from ebay for life.

Puzzledbubbles

BAILIFFCHASER wrote: »

Theres nothing stopping you from re registering. Everybody is doing it.

you know when your mum used to say "if so and so jumped of a cliff ..........."

Personally i feel bad when my friends just watch my items never mind when they offer to bid to build it up.

Also dont you run the risk of owing yourself money if you out bid a real person?

Personally i wouldnt risk it - i would stick to the fetes and things that others have suggested as for me it has the added bonus of no ebay fees

xx