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How to Sell Your Handcrafted Jewelry in 2011

If you make handcrafted jewelry to resale I'm sure this past year has left you wondering if you should continue. Naturally deciding to continue or to discontinue your jewelry making is a personal decision.

First and foremost should be how much do you need your jewelry to really be a business? If you are like most of us, and you really need the income from your jewelry than perhaps you should put pen to paper and write down the ways you tried to sell your jewelry in 2010.

Did you do a craft show that was unprofitable? Did you sell your jewelry to cheap and not make any profit?

Before you decide to just give up why not reevaluate your past year and come up with a solid plan to move your business forward in 2011.

Most people think that a business plan should be complicated...it doesn't have to be. I think having your plan of action in print can help steer you in the right direction.

I have a customer and friend who was desperately trying to sell her jewelry. We set aside a time and I helped her critique her jewelry. She was open to some constructive criticism. The main problem with her jewelry was that she still didn't have a handle on what kind of direction for her pieces and her designs were a little of this and that...beautiful but no theme or focus.

Deciding what kind of jewelry you want to specialize in is very important. You just can't put together a few beads and want people to rave about it. Remember there is plenty of completion out there and you've got to stand out.

I have a customer who sells plenty of her wire wrapped sea glass jewelry. Her table at shows and her website gives you a clear identity of her style and direction and she sells plenty of pieces at great prices.

If you haven't found your style perhaps you should broaden your skills by taking some local classes, classes online or on YouTube. I guarantee you that doing so will help you decide fairly quickly what you don't or do want to do... this is MAJOR.

So get your pen and paper and start to construct your plan for 2011... Look for part 2 of getting your plan together in the next newsletter.

Need to get a jump start on selling your jewelry, plan to attend our once a year workshop on 'Marketing 101"

Susie Edwards spent years producing and marketing her successful line of jewelry, "November Jewelry". Writing her book "You Made It Now Sell It" allowed her to share her knowledge with other jewelry designers whose desire is to sell what they make. Although her jewelry line is not being produced today, She is in the process of marketing a handbag line. She also owns a successful retail store and internet vintage bead business.

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