| About the only thing I enjoy more than creating | | | | fly, based on the type of audience, the size of |
| my bead jewelry at home is selling my bead | | | | the crowd and whether or not I really want to |
| jewelry at local craft shows and fairs! I've | | | | sell the piece. And, yes, my prices sometimes |
| attended hundreds of craft shows and partipated | | | | change throughout the day. Some people come |
| in fair number myself. I am always dismayed, | | | | to craft shows expecting to haggle, so it's |
| however, to see beautiful jewelry and pieces that | | | | sometimes wise to quote a price a few dollars |
| don't sell at shows simply because the artisan | | | | more than you might normally ask so you have |
| forgot some very basic rules of working at craft | | | | some bargaining room. Though you may be |
| shows.Here are some of the helpful pieces of | | | | uncomfortable with this at first, I find it to be |
| advice and tips I can offer to the beginner bead | | | | very helpful. I can't tell how you many pieces I've |
| jewelry artist and anyone else who is just starting | | | | sold only after talking with the customer and |
| out selling to craft shows:1. Know Your Audience: | | | | chatting about the price. One of my favorite |
| Try to get a sense of what sort of crowd you | | | | methods is to sell a pair of earrings with a beaded |
| are going to encounter at your upcoming craft | | | | bracelet for only a few dollars more. The |
| show and cater your inventory to that crowd. | | | | customer likes getting a "bundled" deal and I like |
| While visiting the show each year is the best way | | | | selling two pieces and making a little extra profit.4. |
| to learn this, there are other methods you can | | | | Accept Checks and Credit Cards: Cash is |
| use. Is the town where the craft show being held | | | | obviously preferred, but checks are easy to |
| largely upper class or middle class? You might | | | | accept. In all my years of going to craft shows |
| want to adjust your pricing accordingly. Are the | | | | I've never been cheated by someone bouncing |
| customers going to be children or older people? If | | | | checks. Many people bring cash to craft shows, |
| the craft show is near or in a school I almost | | | | but sometimes there are just so many great |
| always bring along a few "Kid Displays" where I | | | | things that by the time the person gets to your |
| place all my small plastic bead jewelry. I've had | | | | booth she might not have anything left! Credit |
| more than one child drag her parents over to my | | | | Cards are a little trickier. If you're going to verify |
| table to see the pieces I put out especially for | | | | the credit card then you'll need an electric source |
| them. If you're going to be showing in or around a | | | | and a telephone connection of some sort. A lot of |
| nursing home you might want to consider | | | | people, myself included, will often just use a |
| changing your inventory. Older customers love | | | | manual credit card swiper with carbon paper. No |
| beaded eyeglass chains, bracelets with large, easy | | | | electricity is needed, you just enter the numbers |
| clasps and "smoother" beads that aren't sharp on | | | | into your computer or electronic machine when |
| when laying against bare skin.2. Use Business | | | | you get home. To accept credit cards you'll |
| Cards: Every time I sell a piece of jewelry at a | | | | probably need a merchants account and I've |
| craft show I package it in a neat little bag with | | | | found that most local banks can help you out or |
| my business card inside. I do this because even | | | | point you in the right direction. It really isn't very |
| though I already sold a piece of jewelry, I often | | | | expensive to do. I set up my first account and |
| have people contacting me weeks, months and | | | | bought my manual swiper and carbons for less |
| even years later to see if they can order the | | | | than $50.Selling your bead jewelry at craft shows |
| same or similar pieces for friends and relatives. I | | | | is an amazingly fulfilling experience and a great |
| also list my website on the cards to people can | | | | ego booster, not to mention a fun way to make |
| browse and by my items in the comfort of their | | | | some extra money. Following these basic tips will |
| own home!3. Be Flexible with Pricing: This also | | | | help you sell more jewelry and have fun at the |
| goes back to knowing your audience. I generally | | | | same time!Laura Kay runs a Bead Jewelry |
| do not put price tags on any of my pieces. This | | | | Resources Blog that highlights bead jewelry |
| way people need to ask about pricing and I can | | | | resources, supplies, artisans, design ideas and |
| adjust my price up and down a few dollars on the | | | | more! |