| Selling your handmade jewelry through trunk | | | | show. I've heard of commission rates going as |
| shows at galleries and boutiques can be both | | | | high as 50/50 for some higher end stores with |
| lucrative and rewarding for a variety of reasons. | | | | heavy traffic. For most stores, the commission |
| How many times to you get the chance to | | | | should work more in your favor, in the 60/40 or |
| display your jewelry to a targeted audience of | | | | even the 70/30 range. This is negotiable and |
| customers without having to pay for display | | | | should be discussed before a date for your trunk |
| space? Plus, it gives you an opportunity to | | | | show is set. |
| connect directly with the jewelry buying public and | | | | The store or gallery who's hosting your trunk |
| get feedback on your jewelry line, as well as find | | | | show will be responsible for publicizing and |
| out what the jewelry buying public wants to buy. | | | | promoting your trunk show, although it helps if |
| Generally a trunk show is conducted on the | | | | you email your current customers of your |
| premises of a fashion boutique or gallery. When | | | | upcoming appearance. Emphasize this is their |
| you think of trunk show possibilities don't just limit | | | | opportunity to meet the designer and see and |
| yourself to clothing, jewelry, and art/craft outlets. | | | | touch all of your newest designs. Encourage the |
| You can also host trunk show at such retailer | | | | shop or gallery owner to send out a mailing or |
| centers as a bridal boutique, hair salon, spa or | | | | postcard advertising your upcoming trunk show. |
| fitness center, or even at a school or church. | | | | You may want to give the shop owner a disc |
| When you consider outlets to approach for your | | | | with high quality digital photos of your jewelry |
| trunk show, think out of the box. Brainstorm a list | | | | designs to use in their mailing. |
| of possible sites for your show and write them | | | | Trunk shows are usually set up in the front of |
| down so you'll have them available when you | | | | the store's entrance in order to attract the |
| choose the site for your next trunk show. | | | | attention of customers as they enter the store. |
| If you already exhibit your jewelry in boutiques or | | | | You'll want to have an eye catching, professional |
| galleries in your area, you can approach these | | | | display of your jewelry designs along with any |
| retailers first since they already know you and | | | | relevant literature about your business and a |
| area familiar with the quality of your work. If | | | | prominently displayed business card. If the store |
| you're approaching outlets that don't currently | | | | agrees, you can also display an email sign up book |
| carry your jewelry designs, this is a great way to | | | | to collect email addresses for future marketing |
| establish a relationship with the store so they'll be | | | | campaigns. Be sure to dress professionally and be |
| interested in marketing your jewelry in the future. | | | | ready to answer questions in a helpful and friendly |
| Always approach store owners in a professional | | | | manner. |
| manner with a professionally designed brochure | | | | You'll want to pay particular attention to what |
| and business card along with price lists and | | | | customers at your trunk show look at or |
| samples of your work. | | | | purchase. This can help you to determine local |
| If the store owners you approach are unfamiliar | | | | jewelry trends and can help you decide what |
| with trunk shows, explain to them how a trunk | | | | future adjustments you need to make to your |
| show featuring your jewelry can draw more | | | | jewelry designs. Plus, if you'll be pursuing a |
| traffic into their store and give their store added | | | | wholesale or consignment arrangement with this |
| credibility as well as generate retail excitement. | | | | store in the future, you'll want to know what |
| Plus, they'll benefit by receiving a commission | | | | items will move best in their particular store. |
| from the sales of your jewelry with no upfront | | | | All in all, a trunk show can be a valuable research |
| costs to them. It's truly a win-win situation. | | | | and learning experience as well as open up new |
| It's important to determine the commission rate | | | | markets for your handmade jewelry designs. |
| for sale of your items prior to hosting your trunk | | | | Why not give it a try? |