How to Make More Money at Craft Shows Selling Handmade Jewelry Bracelets Earrings
Selling handmade jewelry can be a great way to turn your hobby into a profitable business. With hard work and creativity it is possible to make a good living making and selling handcrafted jewelry.
If you enjoy traveling then craft fairs and other public events is a route you may even have fun with. Many handmade jewelry artisans find that art and craft shows are excellent venues to sell their artisan jewelry. Preparing for the first few craft shows can be intimidating, but with careful planning and a little practice craft shows can become a major source of income. The most important factors to consider are:
1. The quality of the handmade jewelry offered by you and other exhibitors.
2. The originality of your handcrafted jewelry and your target market for your handmade earrings and unique bracelets.
3. The price range greatly affects your sales so you should have pieces in various ranges but keep in mind that lower price points always sell more so be prepared.
4. The demographics of the place where you are exhibiting which means you need to consider the age of the people attending and how much money they make.
5. Customer traffic directly affects handmade jewelry sales at craft shows. A well established show will have more traffic while a first year show may be slower.
The way your handmade jewelry is displayed might be more important than any of the above noted factors. Here are some tips to increase your handmade jewelry sales at craft shows. With over 25 years of experience selling handcrafted jewelry at craft fairs there are many important marketing techniques that many people overlook. No matter how beautiful the item for sale it must be displayed well in order to sell.
The set up of your booth should be welcoming and open. Try setting up tables in a u-shape so that people can come into your booth. Booth space is small so you must use every inch wisely. Always welcome people into your booth, being friendly and sincere will increase your sales. People come to craft shows to meet the artist so each handmade jewelry piece has special meaning when they have talked to the artist. People love to hear the story behind the design which adds value to your handcrafted jewelry.
Group your items so people looking for certain designs will easily find the matching handmade bracelets and handcrafted necklaces for the handmade earrings they have chosen. Your unique jewelry should be organized in an orderly fashion. Customers like to browse, but may not realize that there are multiple colors of an item or matching sets if the jewelry is not displayed well.
Make sure to have a mirror close at hand. Ladies love to hold up the handmade earrings close to their ears to see how they will look when worn. Along the same lines, wear your own handmade jewelry. People love to see how the handmade earrings and handmade bracelets look like on. Many times sales are made of the same items you are wearing at the craft show, especially to men buying gifts for their special lady.
Lighting is very important. Craft shows are known for poor lighting so you must use extra lights to make sure your booth stands out from the crowd. Well placed lighting can make an incredible difference in your sales. Make sure that cords are neatly hidden and the lights securely mounted.
If there is a break in the traffic, have some work ready. Nothing attracts people to your booth then seeing you making the handcrafted jewelry right there. Carry a box with some tools, supplies as well as handmade earrings and handmade bracelets pieces. People who stop to watch will soon become customers. Having jewelry making tools is always a good idea just in case a customer requests a special handcrafted necklace or wants a shorter length of handmade bracelet. The more adaptable you are the more your sales will increase.
Every little thing counts when displaying handmade jewelry at craft shows. Try a few of these tips and see the dramatic effects small details can have on handcrafted jewelry sales. Every booth at art and craft festivals has its own unique style and feel. Each well-planned tent is a one room store. Good booths are attractive and inviting.
