[Jewelry making - Article 00943] - Re: [Orchid] Jewelry marketing

[JanieSEllington]

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    I have been designing pieces for a year now. I am self-taught. The
    quality of my work has evolved steadily, but I keep flip-flopping on
    how to start marketing. I hate the thought of the hassle and
    confinement of shows. That leads me to think I should try wholesale
    or consignment. Every time I think of it, I assume I'll barely be
    able to cover my silver, stones, and gold price with possibly only
    $4.00 or $5.00 per hour for labor, if that. Otherwise, it seems that
    the piece would have to sell for too much and would be above what
    the market would bear. Should I just go forward at this point and
    consign or sell wholesale even if it pays me very, very little for
    labor and hope to get more as/if my name becomes known? An example:
    If a pendant with chain (sterling with garnets, onyx, and
    morrisonite) costs me about $35.00 for materials and it took me more
    than 8 hours from design to finish, how can I possibly make anything
    for the labor. It seems that even in a very "ritzy" shop, it could
    sell for only about $75. to $90. That leaves me at most $54.00 if I
    get a 60:40 wholesale split or $63.00 if I get a 70:30 consignment
    arrangement. There's only $19.00 labor in the wholesale scenario or
    $28.00 in the consignment scenario. I know I'm slower than I will be
    one day, but I don't think I'll ever be fast enough to make anything
    per hour under the abovementioned circumstances. Just a little advice
    as to how to "approach" my marketing "thinking" would help. I keep
    changing my mind as to how to start because I can't seem to come up
    with an idea that would make any money. Thanks J.S. Ellington

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