| Building Up Your Costume Jewellery Design | | | | Venues are always looking for either a way to |
| Business | | | | raise funds for themselves or ways to help good |
| So you’ve created your first few pieces of | | | | causes ... On the same basis as selling to friends |
| jewellery, even maybe sold a few pieces to | | | | & family, if you feel comfortable going into |
| friends and family, so what do you do next ? | | | | other surroundings with your goods, then you |
| Here are just a few of the ways in which you | | | | could again offer a 10% commission to the venue |
| can start to build your business and we hope that | | | | for hosting the jewellery party (or offer as a |
| the following suggestions will help you to | | | | donation to a good cause). Venues which work |
| springboard your success. | | | | well for Jewellery Parties include public houses, |
| 1. Selling into small retailers | | | | work canteens & school fairs. |
| 2. Selling to friends, family | | | | 4. Craft & Church Fairs |
| 3. Other avenues | | | | Craft fairs and church fairs are another avenue |
| 4. Craft & Church Fairs | | | | for you to sell your goods, but there is usually a |
| 5. Going world wide | | | | fee involved for attending. Search online, for local |
| 1. Selling Into Smaller Retailers | | | | craft fairs, near to your town and contact the |
| By offering a commission of 10-20% you could | | | | organisers to find out their fees and availability is, |
| approach a number of smaller independent | | | | if this is something you may be interested in. |
| retailers, and ask them if they would consider | | | | Larger event like ‘Steam Fairs’ are usually |
| stocking a line of your jewellery. Set up an | | | | very well attended and this is something we have |
| appointment with the buyer, ensuring you have a | | | | done ourselves in the past, although not |
| range of samples to show and a price list at | | | | recommended if you have young children with |
| which you are wishing to sell, also stating what | | | | you. |
| percentage you are willing to offer the retailer. Be | | | | 5. Going world wide |
| sensible in your pricing and price to sell, otherwise | | | | By offering your products to a wide audience, |
| you may be left with no turnover at all. | | | | you increase your business potential to a much |
| Approach retailers where women attend, such as | | | | wider scale. Setting up a website with an online |
| beauty salons, hairdressers etc, as this could be a | | | | payment cart, allowing customers to purchase |
| starting point, but retailers such as bridal outlets | | | | from the comfort of their own homes, or even |
| and garden centres also may be willing to take on | | | | from their mobiles, with today’s technologies, |
| your jewellery line. | | | | you will be able to offer your products worldwide. |
| 2. Selling To Friends & Family | | | | Of course by having your own website, you will |
| Host a jewellery party at home and invite friends | | | | be able to showcase your new designs to both |
| & family. Display your goods professionally on | | | | new customers and repeat customers. When |
| a large table, set up on a plain coloured cloth and | | | | selling at jewellery parties, craft fairs or whatever |
| place handmade A-cards with prices either neatly | | | | other method you use, make sure you have |
| written or typed. Have some cards made up, | | | | plenty of business cards or flyers with your web |
| inviting your friends to host a jewellery party at | | | | address printed on it. You can even set up a web |
| their home, offering the host a 10% commission, | | | | form allowing venues or individuals to contact you, |
| in goods for hosting the party. You will be | | | | who may be interested in looking to host a |
| surprised at how quickly the word spreads. | | | | jewellery event. |
| 3. Other Avenues | | | | |