Have you ever wondered what it takes to be successful in juried art shows? For starters…

Judges usually are high caliber artists themselves or very successful business people. They like things, neat, well done and submitted in a professional manner. Make sure everything you send them can pass inspection or you may be eliminated before they even see your slide. Oh, yes, one more thing: Don’t hand address the envelope. Make sure it’s all well typed and looks very professional.

No matter where you shop, whenever you go to check out, there are little irresistible items that only cost a little bit of money and we usually buy them by the hands full. Maybe working a gem show, or a home party, we don’t have the convenience of a counter with professional signs, but you can do your own point of purchase sales pitch and it can be for any little small add on item. Such as:

Chains
Collars
Matching earring
Pins
Small matching ring
Etc etc

All you have to do is ask! 50% will buy if you ask! “Would you like a small silver chain to go with that? I have some nice ones I just bought from a closeout!”

OK, I’m going to tell you a big secret! If you have ever looked at my sales page for any of our info, a nationally known copywriter wanted $10,000 to write this home page copy at my old supply site. I don’t own it anymore and it’s been changed and edited throughout the years but for the most part I wrote it myself. It has been tried and tested and is extremely effective. Here is how I did it. I picked up the nastiest, sleaziest, and, yes, dirtiest tabloids money can buy because here you will find million dollar advertising written by the top copywriters in the world. Take their words, fill in the blanks with your product, edit to fit your needs, and edit again until you get a slick selling sheet or ad for your jewelry. All for FREE!

Believe me, the handcrafted wedding jewelry market is a GIANT PAYCHECK waiting to be cashed. Consider this:

Each year in the U.S. brides and grooms spend 3.3 billion dollars on wedding jewelry alone.

and…

44% of wedding couples give jewelry to each other as a wedding gift. The three most popular pieces are: bracelets, watches, and pearl necklaces.

A whole lot of cash is being spent on weddings. I hope you’re bringing in your share to your small home jewelry business.

Listing all the benefits of a piece of jewelry is very important because that customer wants to be proud of it so that they can brag to friends about their purchase.

Some important benefits that would make a customer purchase:

* It’s a one of a kind no one else in the world has one
* The stone is much harder to find and becoming very rare
* Its completed all by hand the old fashion way one wire at a time
* You are well know in your trade and have won several awards
* The newspapers have written articles about you and your art.
* You normally sell pieces of this quality much higher
* Your not sure if you really want to sell it at all – it’s special to you

Make numerous sales calls only to your top players, show buyers or eBay purchasers and this is what you say: “Hi Mrs. Smith. This is Mary Jo your personal wire sculptor do you remember me? This is my slowest season in the jewelry business. Can I Interest you in some incredible bargains?” And then have a list of your specials, not too long of a list, or send them some pictures or whatever you have to do to get that message to them. Usually people love to get a bargain and love to help struggling home jewelers get a start. Let’s face it, Americans love the underdog and when you just get started you are one, so don’t be ashamed of it.