There will be loads of new beads at Haydock, as we return from a Far East buying trip only three-days before the show. Jet-lag helps us get up early!
The following Saturday we’ll be at Luton Bead Fair, Stockwood Hotel, Stockwood Cresent, Luton LU1 3SS, then Sunday 12th May at Norwich Bead Fair.
For details of our shows booked so far this new year click 2019 Bead Fairs.
For our bead shop click MrBead.co.uk or
Follow Nigel on his personal site at NigelHayMckay.com
Content:
New Beads
How To Sell a Lot More Jewellery
Magical Moonstone
Spring Bead Fairs
14-Years of MrBead Newsletters
Free Shipping
No minimum order, but can only for used at MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com.
Part of a 700-kgm shipment that will follow in June. A limited quantity was mailed by air, so hope to add some to the MrBead online shop in a few weeks.
We’re looking forward to cooling down after humping over half a tonne of beads in the Far East.
It’s tough out there with 87% humidity. Just a short walk outside with a box of beads leaves your shirt looking like a dishcloth after a spin in the washing machine.
Our customer’s have no idea how hard it is buying in Mainland China!
We walk 10-miles a day sourcing your beads from literally hundreds of different shops, from 11am to 7pm over six days. We average buying 100-kgms of beads a day.
Nothing has prices displayed and most staff speak little English. Then there’s the money: the largest note is only worth £11, so we have to use a machine to count. You have it easy!
Selling At Craft Fairs & Shows
It’s not enough to sit behind your pieces waiting for someone to look. If someone nearby looks potential, call them in – talk of the weather or the latest news. Anything to engage a conversation and their trust in you.
If it’s quiet, don’t gaze aimlessly, check your phone or read. If no one is around, then keep yourself motivated by telling the world where you are on social media, like tweeting or uploading a picture to Facebook.
Jewellery shops on the high street survive by training professional sales staff to push their products. When you see a potential customer, smile at them before you engage. This will make them feel welcome and like you. As the old saying goes: ‘sell yourself, and your products will sell themselves’.
Make your stall busy, give something away if necessary. Customers love busy stalls, it reassures them. It takes their risk away – if others’ are buying, then it must be good!
Other Ways To Find Customers
Sell to those you know, like the repairman, shop assistant, car salesman. If they’re on commission, the more they make from you, the more likely they are to spend some with you. If they can see you trust them, then likewise will trust you. Everyone needs to buy jewellery sometimes for presents. People love to buy from an enthusiastic salesperson.
Business Cards
Get lots of business cards printed. It’s easy online now, I use InstantPrint.co.uk – cheaper and faster than in Hong Kong! They have simple to use templates where you can quickly design yourself. If you need a professional log designed, and you will if you don’t have one – pay someone US$5 on Fiver.com to do it for you.
Carry lots of business cards everywhere you go, and hand them out liberally. It’s good if someone asks what you do, but give anyone you establish a relationship with at least three card, some for their friends too. I always give a card where we stay overnight travelling – it really is amazing how an order arrives a month or so latter from some village we stayed in!
However, it only works if you talk about yourself to the person receiving the card. The more personal the better. Otherwise they will just throw it away. Ask questions to establish some sort of report – if they can relate to you in some way it helps a lot. Have you been to where they go on holiday? Do you know their town? Same make car? Same age children?
When I was a photographer I got a huge order once from the AA man who helped me at a breakdown.
Make Friends
Treat potential customers as friends – they will reciprocate. It’s easy to sell to friends as they trust you. Just talk to them about anything, the longer the better – then when they receive your card, they will keep it. Next time they need jewellery, you will be their first call.
Join a Club
It’s all about networking – the more people who know you, the more sales you will get. New friends at a club will trust you as you’re active in their organization. Give them a few business cards after telling them what you do – next time they need jewellery it’s pre-sold.
Public Relations Write to your local newspaper with a story of what you do and why you do it. Personalize and send pictures – snail-mail is very effective, but it can be done faster online.
If you’re organizing your own fair, it’s very important to list it on the free event websites. Not only does this cost nothing, but it will push your fair’s website up on Google searches too. The top sites I use are: Skiddle, Ten Times and WhereCanWeGo – but there are more that will publicize your event for free.
If you don’t have a website, get one right away. GoDaddy have really simple software and super-cheap hosting accounts. If you get stuck they also have excellent help! Don’t be frightened – they always say ‘you’ll get nowhere unless you leave your comfort zone’.
Take Credit & Debit Cards
Last year 60% of all sales were by card, this year cash is expected to be used even less. So if you can’t process cards you’re loosing more than half your sales. Order an iZettle, SumUp or Square card reader online and start right away!
Moonstone is nature’s treasure with a sensuous and seductive charm. Its characteristic feature is its magical play of light. The strone is translucent, and softens the light shining through it to give a pearly moon-like glow which appears different whenever the stone changes position.
Years ago, it was thought to be brought upon by the moon’s phases. This shimmering affect is caused by light being refracted inside the stone.
Colours
Moonstone comes in colourless, white, grey, and subtle yellow, but always has a blue or white sheen. Rainbow moonstone is colourless with a blue sheen and a rainbow-like array of colours.
Moonstone folklore
Much mystery surrounds this stone. In India it’s considered sacred to lovers, and is also known as a “dream stone” bringing beautiful dreams.
In Arab countries women sew moonstone into their garment as a symbol of fertility. It was also believed to be protective to seafarers, who have used it since ancient times. During full-moon, moonstone is very powerful for reconciling love – and as the moon decreases, is said to allow one to foretell the future.
A feminine stone for female issues and the inner-child, but also used by men who want to reach their feminine side. Moonstone brings confidence, calms the emotions, and aids spirituality, intuition, and clairvoyance.
Also thought to protect against fever, fluid-retention and urinary problems. Its soft shine supports the emotional and dreamy side of a person. Wearing moonstone will also increase your sensitivity for others.
Natural moonstone
Classical moonstone from Sri Lanka shimmers pale blue and is expensive. Moonstone from India has a cloud-like plays of light on beige, brown or green, backgrounds – and some have a cat’s eye or a multi-rayed star.
Uncut moonstone is dull and lacks the play of light. This is brought out by the cutter’s skills, who must locate the stone’s axis. Classical moonstones are always cut as cabochons.
Value
The more intense the colour, size and transparency, the more valuable is the gem. Top quality fine blue moonstone shows an incredible “three-dimensional” depth of colour, which you will see clearly only when tilting. These are rare and expensive. Brighter coloured Indian moonstone is cheaper, so is opalite moonstone.
Opalite moonstone
Opalite moonstone is most common today. This is a synthetic stone with even more blue shimmer than genuine moonstone, that’s only been around recently.
Against a light background, it appears milky white, shimmering golden faint lilac-blue and other colours. Against a darker background, it changes to a bright icy blue with the highlights altering to intense oranges and reds. The stone practically glows on its own, and demands attention by outshining all around.
Opalite moonstone adds a romantic feminine allure to your jewellery, always looking refreshingly cool – ideal for summer. Its pastel glow is soft and captivating, complimenting other light-coloured stones like lilac amethyst, blue chalcedony, and rose quartz.
It also loves to compete with wild bright colours like reds and turquoise. This flamboyance makes opalite ideal to wear during a night out on the town.
Looking after moonstone
All moonstone is fragile and should be handled carefully. However, a jeweller can polish a dulled moonstone back to its original glory.
We have over 48 different opalite moonstones – to see all click MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com
To see all the bead shows we have booked so far click Bead Fairs 2019 – many more yet to add!
See our beads at MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com
Key code FREEPOST anytime on UK orders over £30 for free shipping at MrBead.co.uk.
See our beads at MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com
April 2019 is the 14th full year of the MrBead newsletters, and I thank you all for such enthusiastic comments and appreciation. To see the past newsletters click here.
To see all the original old newsletters click here.
To sign-up for the free newsletters click http://www.mrbead.com/beadnewsletter.htm.
See all our newley listed beads at MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com.
To see all What's New in our US store click MrBead.com or UK MrBead.co.uk
To go to the US MrBead store click MrBead.com.
Or our UK shop at MrBead.co.uk
To see all old newsletters click here
 | Powered by YMLP.com | |
| | ||