Thank you for visiting us at a UK bead fair - we will be back in September. Click a picture below to see one of this month's new beads. Follow Nigel at his new site at NigelHayMckay.com
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According to an 11th Century Byzantine manuscript, chrysoprase strengthens vision and relieves internal pain. Metaphysically, it brings a sense of grace, helping meditative, calmness and acceptance of oneself and others. It is believed to encourage positive outcome, helping to heal a broken heart, the heart itself, the reproductive organs, and fertility. And in the East, Chrysoprase is said to balance yin-yang and encourage the heart chakra bringing energy to the physical body. Astrologically, chrysoprase is associated with the zodiac signs of Gemini and Cancer.
Chrysocolla is very similar to chrysoprase, but usually has more blue colouring. Both stones look great beside turquoise in a necklace or bracelet - giving a bright natural appearance.
To see all our Chrysoprase & Chrysocolla click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
Everyone Loves a Party!
A jewellery home party is one of the most profitable and fun ways to market your bead designs. There’s no competition from other sellers, and the guests love to encourage each other to shop.
It’s better than say a Tupperware party, because you’re the actual designer, personally selling your jewellery.
Buyers love that!
Parties are very efficient. In just three hours, you can make hundreds of pounds. And it’s not always necessary to pay any fees or commission - just give your hostess some free jewellery and a discount based on the takings.
Party guests feel comfortable buying from you, because your presence in the hostess’s home implies they can trust you and your work is good.
You’re a friend, not an outside sales person. Trust is the most important factor in selling and developing repeat business. And customers enjoy shopping in a relaxed, personalized environment, rather than a mall.
Organizing the Party
It’s easy to sell at a jewellery home party every week while holding down your day job. You only need a couple of hours’ preparation. You choose the dates and times, and it’s easier than you think to attract bookings.
Around 3-hours at someone’s home work best. Although you can estimate how long you need for the party, add 50% more time, and tell this to the host in advance.
Work the party like a craft show - greeting customers browsing and encourage trying on jewellery. Answer questions, make suggestions, and advice on custom orders. Create a fun atmosphere of a girls’ night out shopping.
Invitations
The best invitations are colour postcards with an enticing photo of your finest jewellery – this will encourage people to attend the party.
To prevent guests from assuming everything will be too expensive for them, add “Prices Start at £3” (or whatever your least expensive item is) on the invitation.
Other tips are:
Attract More People Only about half invited may actually attend, therefore encourage your hostess to ask over 20 people. Request a guest list with names, addresses, and phone numbers, so you can mail invitations two weeks in advance. Provide her with plenty of invitations early, so she can distribute at work, school, church, clubs etc. Suggest she telephones all the guests the day before to remind them.
Setting Up Arrange beforehand, whether to use the hostess’s dining table or bring your own table(s) for display, and take black or white velvet to cover the table top. Save time by setting up all you can at home beforehand, but arrive 15-minutes early to organize and assemble everything.
Take lots of mirrors so customers can see how good they look when they try your jewellery. Friends' opinions this is what makes the party fun for guests. You may also want to bring scarves, hats and other props too.
Bright lighting is crucial for good jewellery sales. Tell your hostess you need a well-lit room and bring extra lights with an extension cable.
How to Sell
Don’t distract
Most guests intend to buy jewellery.
Keep them focused there, you don’t need anything fancy.
Simple and without pressure - letting people come and go as they please. Guests attend to shop and socialize, not eat.
They can’t try on jewellery with food in their hands.
Tea, coffee and biscuits; or nuts, wine and cheese is all you need.
Right away is always best
Try selling as much jewellery as possible at the actual party - instead of showing samples and taking orders.
Impulse sales come easy when people are excited and guests like to take something home.
Emphasize that your custom jewellery is unique and impossible to duplicate.
If they don’t buy now, they could miss the chance to own the piece later.
“Fear of loss” is a powerful seller!
Extra orders
Display a nice photo album of your work at every party. This triggers custom orders and makes it easier for you to give suggestions.
Expect questions about how and when you became a jewellery artist, places you sell, materials used, how it’s made, and where you met the hostess.
Interesting comments said about your art makes it more appealing.
Sincere encouragement
Look your guests in the face when you talk, with breath eye contact.
Smile and chat to show you’re sincere.
Emphasize the BENEFITS of owning one of your pieces. Say something like “you’ll look fantastic in this pearl necklace, all the guys will fancy you - and they never go out of style!”
Taking orders
Bring two calculators, order and receipt forms, and some nice pens.
For custom orders, ensure both you and the customer have a written and signed copy of the agreement.
Specify delivery date with their phone number and e-mail address.
Make the date slightly later than when you expect to finish the order. Then you’re covered if it’s late - and they’ll be impressed if it’s early.
Take payment in full at the party, otherwise some will cancel later. Accept credit cards, Paypal, or post-dated checks for larger amounts. Also take a float of change and a money box for cash.
Extra Party Tips
Hostess Incentives
People agree to host a jewellery party because they want cut-priced jewellery.
However, some hesitate as they think it will be too much work.
Therefore, tell your potential hostesses they only need provide snacks, you’ll do everything else.
Explain that she’ll have a lot of fun: socializing and shopping with friends for free jewellery.
After she books, send a thank-you note the next day. This shows your appreciation and commits them.
If someone feels she couldn’t host a party, suggest doubling up with another hostess to hold a group party - where each person invites her own guests and gets credit for their purchases. Negotiate whose house to use, and give them extra. Apart from discounts, you can entice potential hostesses with a special gift, like a unique design that everyone wants, but only they can buy.
Don’t feel over obliging
Try to avoid paying commission in cash – far better to give a discount for your jewellery or a small design free.
Tell your hostess how long it took you to design and make a piece.
There’s nothing wrong charging for your time - don’t undersell yourself.
Hostess Credits
Work out what incentives you want to give to your hosts before approaching them and set a few rules.
Like there must be at least two people besides the hostess who purchase jewellery for it to be considered a party - and the combined guest total must be at least
£75 for her to earn free/discounted jewellery.
If these conditions are met, then a few ideas of what the hostess could receive are:
Discount Vouchers
Use quality printed discount vouchers. Design so they are versatile and can be given both to customers and to your jewellery party hosts.
The voucher must have your name, logo, and contact details.
No minimum order, but can only for used at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk and cannot be used with any other discount or eBay.
Nigel's blog is now fully functional - so please join in at NigelHayMckay.com/blog!
To see all What's New in our US store click MrBead.com or UK MrBead.co.uk
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Or our UK shop at MrBead.co.uk
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