So, I'm getting ready for the annual Holiday Jewelry Boutique that my sister and I have each year around this time at her house. This year it's going to be on Sunday, December 2nd from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.
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| My sister, Marsha and I - November, 2012 (Thanks to our good friend, Jackie, for taking this awesome shot!) |
It's bunches of fun. We usually have live music supplied by acoustic guitarist, Preston Hindman (a.k.a. - my nephew) and for the last several jewelry shows folks have been able to sign up for 30 minute massages with Mina (way awesome massage therapist that's a friend of my sister's).
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| Musician - Preston Hindman Photo Courtesy of Egan Eyes Photography |
We have all kinds of great munchies, including my sister's famous Pico De Gallo (my mouth is now watering!) and of course an array of beverages from punch to wine to margaritas.
We have several jewelry give-a-ways towards the end of the day at each show and this year I'm also teaching a little 'mini-class' from 2p-3p during the party. Just a cute little pair of crystal drop earrings. Something fun and festive for people to 'make and take' with them.
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| Example of earrings for the little mini-class |
It's usually nice enough here in the Arizona desert at this time of year that we've even had the jewelry party outside a couple of times.
The people that come by and hang out with us are dear friends, family and past co-workers and have been clients of mine for,....gee,...well,...something like 7 years!
I hadn't realized it had been that long. Holy Cow!
Anyhoo,...I've been thinking of revising some of my old designs, seeing that they were very popular with all my clients that come to this show.
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| Bali Bead "Egg Hoops" - 2008 MiShel Designs Clean Lines Collection |
I also played around with some photo editing soft ware - maybe a little too much! LOL!
Oh well, you get the idea - I was learning and having fun at the same time!
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| MiShel Designs 2009 Urban Chaos Collection Featuring sterling silver Urban Chaos Wire Beads and Urban Chaos Wire Wrapped Circle Pendant |
Just curious as to how many of you do home shows or craft fairs around this time of year.
What kinds of fun things do you plan for your jewelry parties? Anything different and unique? Do you like having jewelry parties or would you rather do craft fairs and shows of that nature instead?
I'm just curious because one of my friends posted that they loved doing craft shows and I laughed and said "Not me, man!" I've just not had the type of success I've expected with them, I guess.
And, I've been a juror for the Tempe Arts Festival before and so I know how extremely tough some of these shows are to get into (and how expensive!).
Talk about stress if you don't do well at those shows! Oh my.
Talk about stress if you don't do well at those shows! Oh my.
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| Tahitian Pearl Swirl Necklace from the 2007 MiShel Designs Clean Lines Collection |
My jewelry parties on the other hand are always a success.
Not just in the amount of jewelry I sell, but in the amount of valuable feedback I get from all my long time clients. They shoot straight with me and tell me what they like, what they're not that fond of, what they'd like to see; colors, trends and styles they like and dislike.
The group of women at my shows in the town my sister lives in are my 'gauge' - they're who I trust and they're the ones that guide certain designs elements in my collections each year.
Not just in the amount of jewelry I sell, but in the amount of valuable feedback I get from all my long time clients. They shoot straight with me and tell me what they like, what they're not that fond of, what they'd like to see; colors, trends and styles they like and dislike.
The group of women at my shows in the town my sister lives in are my 'gauge' - they're who I trust and they're the ones that guide certain designs elements in my collections each year.
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| Chunky Gemstone Link Bracelet from the 2007 MiShel Designs Jewelry Collection |
What about you? Do you have a select group of clients who are your 'go-to-girls'? What or who's your gauge? How do you choose your styles through out the year or for certain collections, if you have them?
It's interesting and fun finding out what guides other designers.
We're all so different yet in so many ways we're all so similar!
It's interesting and fun finding out what guides other designers.
We're all so different yet in so many ways we're all so similar!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Making the Old New Again!
Cheers,
~Shel~
Hi Shel~ I've been artsy/crafty for years and just gave it all away. i'm relatively new to the whole thing craft show thing (2years in March) and just did my first Home Trunk Show 2 weeks ago. Moving from a hobby to a business has been a HUGE learning curve for me. This year I have had a good fall season and my experience with the home show FAR exceeded my expectations. I am sure I will do that again next year, but I think once a year will be plenty for me. I don't mind doing craft shows- although I would like to move into the 'juried' category soon. Thanks for an interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI find that 1 to 2 home shows a year are about all I care to do as well – as far as the preparation for them! ;-) But I find them much more fun to do than craft fairs – and for me they’re more profitable, too.
DeleteIt’s interesting to see how many people love craft fairs and juried shows. Those would stress me out – I’ve juried for a huge show,…but never entered a juried show – not a big one anyway.
It is a huge difference going from craft/hobby to business that’s for certain!! So much more to do and keep up with than what I first thought.
Thanks for your comments and I wish you continued success in your business.
I did a post in Artisan Whimsy on how to do a home show. I really like to do more intimate shows where their is either no competition or very little. I sell more always. My biggest sales are my home shows really. I usually invite other artists into my sales but this year didn't. I do do an Art Crawl but have never really done a larger juried show....dont have a tent and am afraid to do outdoor venues plus way more competition. Great post - food for thought.
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