[Jewelry making - Article 00818] - [Orchid] Business decisions

[Bekka RR]

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    Hello to all of you out there in Orchid world! I'm rejoining and
    delurking after a semester abroad, and I thought I'd introduce
    myself. My name is Bekka, I'm a third year dual degree jewelry and
    women's studies student (no, I haven't slept for three years), and I
    run a (tiny) business selling my work. I've taken a break from
    selling while I've been away (student visa), and I'm trying to get
    back in the game. I have a few pieces in galleries, but do mostly
    craft shows and I'm starting up a website. I have a few questions I'd
    love some input on from anyone with more experience (which would be
    almost anyone). 

    1). I have a mix of everyday pieces and narrative, conceptual work,
    and I'm not sure how to appropriately present these. Should I keep
    them with me to display at shows, even though I know that at several
    thousand dollars they are unlikely to be an impulse buy? Should I try
    to get them into galleries, knowing that I'll then pay a 50%
    commission? How do others balance the two? 

    2). I'm just getting the website started, and I'd love feedback from
    people who know their stuff about what I could do to improve it, both
    in terms of layout and from the business end. I currently mostly have
    only sold things posted because they're older pictures, but that
    should be solved in the next few days, as soon as I can set up and
    shoot the newer stuff. 

    3). I registered my business name three years ago in my home state
    of CT, at which point there were no other "R Cubed Designs" or "R
    Cubed Design" companies. However, I learned when I went to get a
    domain name this week that there is a graphic design company in
    (Illinois? Florida?) called R Cubed Design, with no s at the end. I
    already have business cards, a website, and a (small) brand centered
    around my name. Is there anything I can do to distinguish myself from
    these people, or make it easier for customers? I really don't want to
    change my name, it's based on my initials (RRR, haha punny), and it's
    got sentimental value at this point, as it's been a family joke among
    the R Cubed club (there are four of us, currently) for years. 

    Thanks for your help, and I look forward to getting to know you all
    though the computer-machine. 

Rebecca Ross Russell, R Cubed Designs
http://www.rcubeddesigns.com
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