[Jewelry making - Article 01317] - Re: [Orchid] Approaching stores and consignment contracts?

[Roseann Hanson]

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    So well put Catherine! I couldn't quote from your excellent post --
    too many good points -- but you articulated what I've been grappling
    with for this past 3-4 months as I get a better business plan
    tweaked. 

    My solution, which I'll test over the next year or so, is a hybrid.
    Or more precisely, diversity. I'm developing lines for consignment,
    lines for retail (i.e. - wholesale) and lines for art shows and my
    website (i.e. - direct retail). I see the advantages to all, and I
    see the advantage to not putting all eggs in one basket or booth, as
    it were (at one show last year my booth was smashed up by a storm!). 

    For consignment, I see the advantage of getting my more daring
    pieces out there and testing them. I also have control over them, how
    they're displayed, and if they're dogs, I can pull them and replace
    them. I work hard to only have relationships with gallery owners who
    see artists as partners, not as slave labor to help them afford the
    second home in Vail. 

    For wholesale, I focus on production pieces and high profit margin
    for ME. Cash now, they pay the shipping, and it's great feedback,
    too, to a more mainstream market. I am working toward partnerships
    with other bench jewelers or production houses to create these lines
    once they're tested and out there. 

    For direct sales I will have a mix of the above lines plus some fun
    stuff that sell well. This is where I get the absolutely necessary
    direct contact with customers and also meet new gallery and retail
    store owners. 

    For wholesale and gallery accounts, I have been doing in-service
    days for the staff and owners. That's where I come in before the shop
    opens and bring coffee, juice and Crispy Cremes and get to know the
    staff while showing them how to sell the jewelry, teach them about
    the unusual stones, get them excited about it - and low and behold,
    they love to sell MY work over the other work. I have relationships
    with them, and they call me when customers have questions, etc. 

We'll see how it goes!!
Roseann

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