How to Sell Handmade Jewelry to Boutiques

Sell your handmade jewelry to boutiques and make more money.

Making handmade jewelry is an enjoyable, profitable hobby. Selling the finished jewelry is a simple way to make money. It's easier to sell your jewelry at craft shows, trade shows and flea markets than to sell it to boutiques or small businesses. To sell handmade jewelry successfully at boutiques, your work must meet the high standards of the customers. Try these tips for selling your jewelry creations to boutiques.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Printer
• Card stock
• Paper cutter
• Thick safety pin or doll needle
• Stapler and staples
• Hole puncher
• Scissors
• White printing paper
• Heavy 12-by-18-by-3-inch cardboard box
• Multicolored acrylic craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Cup
• 6 2 1/2-by-12-inch cardboard strips
• 3 2 1/2-by-18-inch cardboard strips

Instructions

Preparing Yourself

1. Check with your local sales tax license department. Obtain any necessary licenses before you start selling your jewelry.

2. Make business cards and flyers for your business on your computer. Make sure your flyers have plenty of color pictures of your jewelry and include your email address.

3. Prepare a price list. Remember this is wholesale, so your profit is lower. If the earrings normally sell for $10, the most you get is $6. Know your prices so the store owner doesn't have to help you figure out what to charge.

4. Create a website. Plenty of online businesses offer free web space and web page builders so you can do this quickly and easily.

5. Get a professional looking outfit for visiting the boutiques. If you look frumpy or sloppy, you might not get the sale. Wear your handmade jewelry. The boutique owner will notice if you wear it.

Preparing the Jewelry

1. Make a large assortment of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. When you make a design you like, make four or five similar pieces using different colors. You want a lot of variety for the boutiques.

2. Make backing cards for earrings, bracelets and necklaces, using the computer. This gives the store an easy method for hanging your jewelry and advertising for you. Open a word processing program and use any business card template that lets you print the words across the short side of the card. Type in your business name, logo and website address. Print the cards on card stock and cut them apart. The top of the card is the part with the writing.

3. Punch a hole in the left and right sides of the card right under the website address for earrings. Slide the earrings in the holes and attach the backs if the earrings have them. Fold the bottom of the card up so the folded half is behind the writing. Put the chain of a necklace or bracelet into the fold and staple the card together. Punch a hole in the top of the card for earrings, necklaces or bracelets, so they can easily hang from a peg. This makes your jewelry look professional.

Making a Sample Box

1. Paint the outside of a cardboard box so it looks neat. If you have a logo, paint it on the top. Let the box dry thoroughly.

2. Lay a 2 1/2-by-12-inch cardboard strip (Part A piece) on a flat surface with one of the long sides facing you. Measure down the long side of the piece, and make a mark every 3 inches. Cut a 1 1/2-inch vertical slit across each mark in the piece. Start each slit on the side facing you. Repeat this procedure with each Part A piece.

3. Put a 2 1/2-by-18-inch cardboard strip (Part B piece) on a flat surface with one of the long sides facing you. Measure down the long side of the piece, making a mark every 4 inches. Cut a 1 1/2-inch vertical slit across each mark in the piece. Start each slit on the side facing you. Repeat this procedure with each Part B piece.

4. Turn one of the Part B pieces so the slits face up and the long side faces you. Put the first slit of one of the Part A pieces down into the first slit on the left Part B side. Put a second Part A piece onto the second slit on the Part B piece. Then repeat the procedure with the third Part B piece in the third slit on Part B.

5. Flip the strips over so the Part B pieces are on the bottom. Slide a Part A piece into the second row of slits. The slits line up neatly. Repeat this procedure with each Part B piece until you have a crisscrossed pattern of strips that holds together.

6. Open the box. Place it on a flat surface in front of you. Pick up the crisscrossed strips and put them into the box. The strips will fit in only one way, neatly and tightly. This gives you 24 small boxes for displaying samples of your jewelry. Fill the container with an assortment of jewelry on cards.

Selling the Jewelry

1. Call the boutique and set up an appointment with the owner. Business owners are busy people, so call in advance. If you just show up unannounced, some owners automatically say no.

2. Give the boutique owner a business card and flyer. Presenting her with a complimentary piece of jewelry is a good way to break the ice. Talk with the owner and show her the sample box. Tell her about your work. If the owner feels comfortable with you, you are more likely to sell your work.

3. Keep your cool. Even if a store owner is rude, be polite. If you have a good attitude, you still might make a sale.

4. Fill orders quickly and accurately. If a boutique owner likes a specific pair of earrings and wants more, take an order. Make sure all orders are on time. Some artists are known for having problems keeping deadlines. Some businesses make a test order to see if you work well on a schedule.

5. Check with the boutique owner monthly to see if she needs more jewelry. Some designs run out quickly and need restocking. Bring in samples of any new designs when you restock.

References

• Jewelry Marketing; Sell Your Handmade Jewelry At Retail Stores; Kristie
• Making Beaded Jewelry; Tips on How to Sell Your Handmade Jewelry to Stores; Wanda

Resources

• Microsoft Office: Print Business Cards