logo
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 175
K
Jellyfish
Offline
Jellyfish
K
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 175
Hello - firstly a couple of thought about pics:- do you have a film camera? You can get photos on cd as well as printed in a lot of places, or original photos scanned.

The other thing is does your library have a scanner? Scanners are great for jewellery as it shows up all the detail. I've noticed a lot of sellers on Ebay and Etsy scan their work. Even if not for a long term solution this would give you some digital images!

.... and as for pricing - phew! One tricky subject! I look on Etsy and Ebay at some items and I know that I could never compete - the sellers are hardly covering cost of materials let alone their own time. There are two factors - what it costs you to make and what the market will take. You then have to work out whether you can make and sell what you want in the middle of these two points.

I too reiterate the point about making sure that your pricing is fair - to you as well as your customers! I firmly believe that everyone should cost in their time or at least an element of it! If they don't want the money for themselves then give it to charity - however don't devalue yourself or your work!!

Good luck!!

Kate

Sponsored Post Advertisement
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 49
Tigress Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 49
Thanks <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
My dad actually owns a photolab, so I could get prints (either on CD or not) fairly easily, but I take crumy close-up photos lol <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I never thought about simply scanning a piece of jewelry.... interesting short-term fix. I think I'll have a go at it now.

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,053
Zebra
Offline
Zebra
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,053
I have posted an article on pricing that might help you jewelry-makers. It's a general article, but I think the principles are the same.

Here's a link if you're interested: How to Set Prices article.

Hope this helps!

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
D
Jellyfish
Offline
Jellyfish
D
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Bella,

I've read your article, and in general, I agree. There are two other things though.

In figuring time, you mentioned only the time involved in making the product. But there is a lot more time that goes into selling your work. Time spent designing, choosing and ordering materials, record keeping, photographing, going back and forth to galleries and shows, time spent actually selling at shows, time spent putting your pieces up on E-bay or Etsy or whatever, time spent writing press releases or anything else related to selling your work.

The other thing is figuring out your costs of producing items. I never, or almost never, make the same item twice. Counting up how many seed beads and how many yards of thread go into each item is just not practical and the total would be insignificant compared to the labor, not to mention the time that would be required to keep such records. So the only things I count up are hand-made glass beads, precious stone beads (even semi-precious beads are inexpensive), and silver if I use a lot of it.
Fine jewelers are different. I've seen them work over a drawer that collected the silver and gold dust from sawing or filing to be melted and recycled and design pieces to use the small bits of metal from sawing. The ones I know usually keep track of the costs of any stones, checking them off as they use them, and of the metal as they buy it, but mostly price on the basis of the design and making time, aside from stones and the weight of the piece. This is for originals. If a piece is later cast in multiples, you can do the kind of calculations you have described.

DJC in Norwich, UK


www.donnajcarty.co.uk
I welcome comments on my website.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 49
Tigress Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 49
It's been a while since I last posted here saying I would put up a few pictures of my work. Anyway, I tried to scan in a few pieces of jewelry today (just placed it on the scanner). Obviously it's not the best way to tell what my jewelry is like, but hopefully it'll give an idea for those that asked and were curious. I have so much, so I only grabbed a few samples from the top of my box......


Swarovski crystal/sterling silver wire, chain, and toggle




garnet and sterling silver




sterling silver wrapped around dark blue niobium with amethyst seed beads.




swarovski crystal and sterling silver

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6
N
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
N
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6
Very pretty! I began selling jewelry on etsy 7 months ago - in addition to selling to friends and family. I've had a little success there - you have to self-promote and spend time on bringing in customers. I also do well when I donate an item or 2 to a charity auction - I include business cards with pictures. Home parties are also VERY profitable for me. Moving up to the next level will be to get my own web site, and start approaching boutiques and stores to see what will happen - this is a bit of a big step for me, and I'm working my way to it slowly.

When I first started on etsy, I scanned in my pieces (lots of my listings still have scanned pictures). I lay the item on the scanner and back it with a piece of felt or scrap booking paper in a bright color and then crop. It worked great, and it looks like your pictures are well on their way. More recently I'm using a digital camera and a lighting tent to diffuse the light. The pictures are FAR superior, but I haven't seen a difference in sales, so go figure.

Good Luck to you!
-Nina Gibson
www.ninadesigns.etsy.com

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7
I have been hearing that beauty shops are a good place to sell your handmade jewelry.


BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 23
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 23
Hi all,
I'm new here, been lurking a while and decided to join. I've been making and selling my artisan jewelry for the past 7 years on the Internet and also "getting it out there". It takes quite a while to get the whole thing to a point where it is a self sufficient income, doing it as a hobby or sideline is easier since you are not depending on it for your bread and butter. Between my jewelry business, plus my marketing and design businesses, I am self supporting and work from home.

On the Internet, you need a website presence, as artisan designed work put on eBay is consistently undervalued and with the fees, not a cost effective venue UNLESS you sell items that are over $25.00 ~ and then you still need to watch your bottom line. I've heard that on Etsy things tend to get buried. I don't know that for a fact as I personally have no need to sell on any other venue than my website.

On the Internet also you need extremely diligent and constant SEO done on your website as artisan jewelry is an over-saturated field with high competition. You also need steady marketing to have your name out there in sufficient quantity to gain the desired exposure in the search engines both through distribution and high page rank. It's quite alot of work, however worth it, and it's a bit pricey to hire a professional to do it for you if it is just a hobby and not your livelihood.

As far as in the "real" world, everything everyone said here is true........ you absolutely must wear your jewelry everywhere, and discretely bring up the topic that you are either self employed or an "artist" and people will be quick to ask you what you do. What works best for me is to casually respond that i create jewelry, etc. etc.
Be prepared to let people examine whatever it is you are wearing they are very quick to see your quality.

ALWAYS carry well designed business cards with you, so that you never miss a chance to hand them out.

Check out craft shows, fairs, juried shows, all in your area, and work the shows. This gains you valuable experience as well as exposure.

Also consider doing home jewelry parties. This is a great way to "have fun with the girls", get exposure, and reward your hostess so that she is willing to host your jewelry parties again for you.

It all takes a great deal of thinking, planning and work, but in the end, it's extremely rewarding.

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
R
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
R
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Etsy is a great place for a beginner. I use it as a place to "park" my items and make it easier for friends and family to see what I've done lately. I don't make a ton of sales yet, but I haven't really had time to promote properly.

I have noticed that in one week of listing, that my items average 3 times as many views on Etsy as they did on Ebay! You want to talk about buried, nothing gets buried faster than artisan jewelry on Ebay.

Personally, I think that Etsy is worth it just for the forums. 99% of the people there are really sweet and helpful. (Just ignore the 1% snark!)


Come visit me! BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
M
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
M
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
We at www.wigjig.com have some helpful tips on chosing a price for your piece. Here is a link to a page on our site that gives that information. Basically, to begin with some people feel that three times the cost of your materials is a good way to start. Here is the link.
BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

Page 2 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  Susan - Jewelry Making 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Brand New Posts
Make It Sew Easier
by Cheryl - Sewing Editor - 03/27/24 04:34 PM
2024 - on this day in the past ...
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/27/24 01:31 PM
Planner Template Kit - Weekly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:39 PM
Planner Template Kit - Yearly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:37 PM
How to Use Digital Planner Template Kit
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:36 PM
Review - 20 Illustrator Color tips Helen Bradley
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:32 PM
March Equinox to June Solstice
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/26/24 12:27 PM
Hobotrader unleashes never seen opportunity with i
by Jamal molla - 03/26/24 11:55 AM
Psalm for the day
by Angie - 03/25/24 09:05 AM
Genealogy, Sort of
by Angie - 03/24/24 05:39 PM
Sponsor
Safety
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
Privacy
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!


| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2022 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5