What do you do with your jewelry pieces that just aren't selling?

Here's how Jennifer of Goldsong gives her slow-moving pieces a jumpstart:

"If you have some items or an item that is not selling, consider 'showcasing' this item, by wearing it or displaying it on a prop during your show.

I have sold many pieces that would not move this way!"

I love making chain maille jewelry. I've made hundreds of pieces over the past few years and have learned a lot about how to make it more pleasurable.

1. Use good tools. Your hands will thank you for it. I use Lindstrom brand but there are lots of other good ones out there.
2. Take care of your hands. They are your most valuable tool. Take frequent rest breaks. Stretch and exercise your fingers and wrists. If you start having trouble with your hands, see a hand specialist or physical therapist for some specific exercises.
3. Practice, practice, practice.
4. Work with a variety of materials (aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, sterling silver) so you can see how each reacts in different weaves, how they work in your hands, and whether they give the look you want.
5. If at all possible, don't mix rings from different suppliers in the same project. This is especially true if they are the same metal.
6. If you can't figure out a weave from one set of instructions, try it with another set. Every teacher has their own way of writing instructions and many times a different way of looking at the weave makes all the difference.
7. Have a second set of eyes look over your finished work. They might find errors that you can't see.
8. Invest in a tumbler and stainless steel shot to finish your work.  You will not believe difference in the appearance of your finished work after it is tumbled. It is breathtaking.

Note from Rena:

See a variety of interesting jewelry tools, jewelry supplies, and more in Charlene's Purveyor of All Things Creative storefront!

Social networking is definitely one of the most effective ways to market your jewelry online.

Here's a true story that spans three countries and occurred over the past few weeks.

It involves three people who have never met in person but share the bond of loving the same style of art and jewelry.

Once upon a time, not long ago, I was Read more

Christy Perry of Community Insurance Center is a jewelry-making insurance executive.

So when she talks about jewelry business insurance, she's more knowledgeable about it than most other agents would be because of her understanding of our niche.

Christy says of insuring her own jewelry business:

"As an insurance executive, I understand the risks and the need for adequate protection. But my business was small! It was only generating a profit of a few hundred dollars a year, and I didn't want to have to spend the entire profit on insurance."

In Jewelry Business Insurance:  How Not To Lose Your Home-Based Jewelry Business Christy explains in simple terms three insurance policy options to consider for your home jewelry business.

I highly recommend reading her article, even if you don't think you need insurance coverage.

It's always good to know your options, and Christy's article is the best quick-and-easy explanation you'll find.

Then, after reading her article, you'll enjoy the entertaining side of insurance (did you know there is one?!) in Homeowners Insurance and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

By the way, Christy adds that all of her jewelry customers are well protected, and all of her insurance clients are well-accessorized.

Now that's customer care! 

If you're a jewelry artist with small children, you can relate to Laurie Davis' experience.

She says,

"It seems like as soon as I sit down to start a project, I'm interrupted…the baby is screaming because she's hungry, my son wants cartoons on, I didn't get the right kind of fruit snacks at the grocery store, when is Daddy getting home, etc."

But then Laurie hit on two solutions - a way to involve a small child in her jewelry business, and some jewelry-related activities that can keep children happily occupied.

She shares these great ideas in her new article, Mixing Jewelry Business with Kids.

Be sure to also visit Laurie's Lulu Jewelry Boutique.

Kari Anderson of Kari Pearls was surprised by an email she received from one of her customers.

Kari recalls, "She said she was in a new stage in life and was selling out all her fabric crafting equipment….would I be interested?  And by the way, she added, I'd be willing to barter for your pearls".

Find out what happened next in Kari's new article, Bartering Jewelry.

Also visit Kari Pearls for a true education in pearls - including jewelry, images, and lots of fascinating information!

A recent Forrester research study concludes that online retail sales will grow at an increasing rate over the next five years.

So if you're not set up to sell your jewelry online yet - there's no time like the present for getting started.

My new book, Social Networking: Sell Your Jewelry Online the New Way, guides you step by step through setting up your online jewelry business and selling your work on the Internet.

According to the Forrester ecommerce study,

"US online retail reached $175 billion in 2007 and is projected to grow to $335 billion by 2012.

"Business-to-consumer (B2C) eCommerce continues its double-digit year-over-year growth rate, in part because sales are shifting away from stores and in part because online shoppers are less sensitive to adverse economic conditions than the average US consumer.

"Despite the continued growth of the channel, online retailers face several challenges to growth: Online stores are broadly perceived as a second choice for shoppers, online retail is becoming increasingly seasonal, and online shoppers rarely admit to browsing, which can drive valuable incremental dollars during their Web shopping experiences."

Source:
US eCommerce Forecast: 2008 To 2012.

Allison of Estate Beads says:

Here's a great way to keep silver shiny and tarnish free.

Keep those little silica gel packets that come in everything from shoes to medicine. (The ones that say "don't eat".)

Put them in your jewelry box or ziplock bags with your silver jewelry, and they will help remove any moisture in the air.

This will really help your jewelry stay tarnish free for longer periods.

Discouraged by commercially-available jewelry packaging options, Anna Badger decided there must be a better alternative.

"Then, several versions of handmade / homemade marketing materials caught my attention," she says.

"Voila!  I could create memorable hangtags with thick paper, ink, rubber stamps, and a theme."

And that's exactly what she did.

See Anna's elegant, stylish, and very unique jewelry hangtags in Make Hangtags for the Perfect Jewelry Package.

This article includes her how-to's and lots of photos.

By Anna Badger of Anna's Arrays.