Tips for New Jewelry Sellers

So you've been making jewelry for a little while now and you'd like to expand from giving them away as gifts to friends and family and start making a little money? Here are some simple tips on getting started selling your creations.

General Tips

You are a business. Once you take the step into selling your jewelry you've become a business, it's important to think of yourself that way. Also make sure you check into any permits or licenses you may need in your area as a small business.

Pay yourself well. Pricing your jewelry can be difficult but it's very important not to under price your work. Consider the time you put into making your jewelry along with the material cost. It may be fun work but you are still working and you should be paying yourself accordingly.

Get some promotional materials and hand them out. You can get business cards, brochures, magnets, etc printed up for your business at fairly low cost. Also make sure you include them any time someone buys one of your pieces.

Package your jewelry attractively. What would you rather get, a necklace in a plain plastic bag or the same necklace in a fabric gift bag with a pretty tag and a brochure of information about the artist and jewelry? It's a small touch but it makes your customer's experience better and they are more likely to remember you and be repeat customers.

Online Tips

Take clear, sharp photos against a simple background. When you're selling online the photos you present are all the customer has to judge things like quality, color, etc.

Write good descriptions. Let your customer know why they should buy your jewelry, maybe suggest an appropriate occasion for giving it or the type of person who might want to wear it. Also don't forget the details like materials used, the length of a necklace, the dimensions of a pendant, the size of a ring or bracelet.

Online promotion is important. People might find your shop on Etsy, eCrater, etc. by accident when browsing the site but that is hit or miss. You need to work to promote your shop, participate on forums related to your jewelry (follow their rules about self-promotion though), submit your shop to directories, create some Squidoo lenses, start writing a blog about your jewelry making.

Make sure you're having fun. That's the point isn't it? Chances are you can make more money doing something else but will you enjoy it as much? Don't lose sight of your passion.