rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,487
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 21, 2022 16:13:32 GMT -5
jasoninsd, glad you had a good show. Your inventory is extremely impressive. It all looks great. I really need to get some riker boxes. I have a one day show the first Saturday in Dec. Trying to build a little inventory up. I was able to do one last weekend and 3 more since then. Sunday a friend of my wife stopped by and she bought 5! I guess it's a good issue to have but I need to get busy!
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,685
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Post by khara on Nov 21, 2022 16:46:00 GMT -5
jasoninsd Thanks for your report, I’ve been looking forward to it! Wow, you have quite a large supply made! My favorite in the news slide show is the #28 polychrome that I’ve already oohed and awed over. Did that one sell? Also do you do anything for chains? As in do you sell chains or cords of any sort along with each pendant? I’m glad to hear you had a pretty good 2nd show! Your craftsmanship both with cabbing and wire wrapping is excellent! Hope to continue seeing more!
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Post by aDave on Nov 21, 2022 17:37:47 GMT -5
with what everyone else said, and I've got nothing to add. I am really happy you were able to make a good impression, and I'm going to guess some of your contacts will come to fruition in the future. It never ceases to amaze me how some things come full circle, and I'm thinking you put yourself in a good spot. When you said you built up an inventory, you really did. Congratulations. I can't wait to see what you do next.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 21, 2022 18:04:09 GMT -5
jasoninsd , glad you had a good show. Your inventory is extremely impressive. It all looks great. I really need to get some riker boxes. I have a one day show the first Saturday in Dec. Trying to build a little inventory up. I was able to do one last weekend and 3 more since then. Sunday a friend of my wife stopped by and she bought 5! I guess it's a good issue to have but I need to get busy! Thank you SO much! My inventory is impressive because my wife likes too many reality TV shows...and I have to find something to do while she's watching them. Of course, I can still see the dang TV and I make my snide comments about the shows while they're on...which she really seems to enjoy my commentary! LOL I got my boxes at Michaels. I'm not sure if that's an option for you. They've got a bunch of display items...not just the type I have. I read what you wrote wrong...I read it as you had a "show" last weekend...and three more since! I was like, "Holy crap that's a lot of shows!" LOL - Then I realized you were talking about the wraps! That is a super sweet deal that you got a bulk purchase like that! I've had a couple...and it always feels good to unload a bunch that quickly! jasoninsd Thanks for your report, I’ve been looking forward to it! Wow, you have quite a large supply made! My favorite in the news slide show is the #28 polychrome that I’ve already oohed and awed over. Did that one sell? Also do you do anything for chains? As in do you sell chains or cords of any sort along with each pendant? I’m glad to hear you had a pretty good 2nd show! Your craftsmanship both with cabbing and wire wrapping is excellent! Hope to continue seeing more! Thank you so very much! That Polychrome (#28) was the one that sold right off the bat! I do have inexpensive bronze colored chains that I purchased off Amazon which I give away with each copper wrap. I don't have any silver ones though. I usually tell people the chains are very inexpensive and they may want to look at picking up something that is more their style. I don't think having chains or not having chains has deterred any potential sales. with what everyone else said, and I've got nothing to add. I am really happy you were able to make a good impression, and I'm going to guess some of your contacts will come to fruition in the future. It never ceases to amaze me how some things come full circle, and I'm thinking you put yourself in a good spot. When you said you built up an inventory, you really did. Congratulations. I can't wait to see what you do next. Thank you SO much Dave! I'll be curious to see whether any of the potential customers (the knife-guy or the ring-couple) contact me. And yeah...the inventory is definitely "up there"! LOL - It'll give a good selection when I finally get going on Etsy!
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 22, 2022 7:31:04 GMT -5
jasoninsd I'm curious, did silver or copper sell better?
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 22, 2022 10:13:49 GMT -5
jasoninsd I'm curious, did silver or copper sell better? Great question! I hadn't thought to check that. I was more curious about newer wraps versus older wraps. You made me do some math this morning! LOL Copper beat Silver with a 3:1 ratio. However, I have WAY more copper wraps than silver wraps...way more than a 3:1 ratio. So it's hard to tell which one was more popular. If I factor the ratio of total copper wraps I have versus copper wraps that sold, and same thing with silver, then I'd say more OF the silver wraps sold. (If that makes sense.)
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 22, 2022 10:20:18 GMT -5
jasoninsd I'm curious, did silver or copper sell better? Great question! I hadn't thought to check that. I was more curious about newer wraps versus older wraps. You made me do some math this morning! LOL Copper beat Silver with a 3:1 ratio. However, I have WAY more copper wraps than silver wraps...way more than a 3:1 ratio. So it's hard to tell which one was more popular. If I factor the ratio of total copper wraps I have versus copper wraps that sold, and same thing with silver, then I'd say more OF the silver wraps sold. (If that makes sense.) Yeah, it makes sense. I have always found that silver sells well. I wish copper sold as well as I like it more- the looks, cost and workability.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 22, 2022 10:30:13 GMT -5
Great question! I hadn't thought to check that. I was more curious about newer wraps versus older wraps. You made me do some math this morning! LOL Copper beat Silver with a 3:1 ratio. However, I have WAY more copper wraps than silver wraps...way more than a 3:1 ratio. So it's hard to tell which one was more popular. If I factor the ratio of total copper wraps I have versus copper wraps that sold, and same thing with silver, then I'd say more OF the silver wraps sold. (If that makes sense.) Yeah, it makes sense. I have always found that silver sells well. I wish copper sold as well as I like it more- the looks, cost and workability. If I had more silver ones done - equal to the amount of copper ones, then I think silver would have sold better than copper... I like copper better for the same reasons you mentioned! I have worked a LOT of stones and I feel I can tell (for the most part) when a cab requires a silver wrap or when it calls for a copper patina wrap. Every once in awhile there's a stone that can go either way...but I really think most stones tell you (me) which way to go with it for the wrap.
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 22, 2022 23:17:52 GMT -5
I'm happy that you are enjoying doing this. There is satisfaction from someone looking at your work rather than just a picture. I live in a cave and am not a social animal. My father was in retail sales and spent a lot of time waiting for a customer to serve. I worked at the same store in a different area when I was in college doing very little sales work.
My son and I did a few sports cards shows and I have gone to plenty of lapidary/craft shows. I'd rather sit in my cave and make stuff, list it and then forget about it.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 22, 2022 23:28:17 GMT -5
I'm happy that you are enjoying doing this. There is satisfaction from someone looking at your work rather than just a picture. I live in a cave and am not a social animal. My father was in retail sales and spent a lot of time waiting for a customer to serve. I worked at the same store in a different area when I was in college doing very little sales work. My son and I did a few sports cards shows and I have gone to plenty of lapidary/craft shows. I'd rather sit in my cave and make stuff, list it and then forget about it. Thanks Stephen! I can totally understand where you're coming from as I do know some people are more social than others. I completely enjoy the interaction with people/customers. You're definitely better than me at listing stuff for sale...I swear for me, it's like pulling fingernails! LOL
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 23, 2022 0:03:01 GMT -5
Listing is just a routine for me; three pictures. measurements, description and disclosures. The only thing that requires thought is pricing. I slot against my other similar listings and when there aren't against other listings. I don't sell very much. Enough to spend on good materials and supplies.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 23, 2022 0:27:29 GMT -5
Listing is just a routine for me; three pictures. measurements, description and disclosures. The only thing that requires thought is pricing. I slot against my other similar listings and when there aren't against other listings. I don't sell very much. Enough to spend on good materials and supplies. I can understand why it would seem like a routine for you at this point. Since I haven't listed anything, it's obviously new to me...so not much of a routine yet.
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brotherbill
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2018
Posts: 371
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Post by brotherbill on Nov 23, 2022 9:12:23 GMT -5
jasoninsd You may want to consider raising your entire table. Have you ever noticed that in jewelry stores the display counters are very high? It eliminates the need for customers to stoop over to get a closer look. Bed risers can be used and come in various heights. Available relatively cheap on Amazon. I can't say that in the end that it makes any difference in sales but I feel it gives the customers a better experience. Beware that some shows prohibit the altering of table height.
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 23, 2022 9:13:23 GMT -5
jasoninsd - You had a great looking setup considering you got squeezed down to one table. Glad you're happy with the experience.
Have an idea for you to play around with regarding horizontal/vertical displays. Don't do either one.
Okay, now that I have your attention, think about ways you could elevate the entire tray setup in the back. Sloping it from back to front so people could see more directly into the individual wells your pendants live in. Some tray-width plywood strips with a piece of quarter-round along the front edge might work. Then whatever you could assemble "quick-and-easy" at the shows to raise the back to whatever height you might want.
I really like your trays, too, but I'd have to consider removing lids to make them easier to display. You could do three rows with no lids.
If you decide to try the elevated "ramp" option, it would also give you space underneath to stash your cash box and extra items to show. That could be a big help at a busy show, when you really don't want to turn away from the inventory it it can be avoided.
Keep on rockin'. You're on a roll now... .
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 23, 2022 14:52:32 GMT -5
jasoninsd You may want to consider raising your entire table. Have you ever noticed that in jewelry stores the display counters are very high? It eliminates the need for customers to stoop over to get a closer look. Bed risers can be used and come in various heights. Available relatively cheap on Amazon. I can't say that in the end that it makes any difference in sales but I feel it gives the customers a better experience. Beware that some shows prohibit the altering of table height. Thanks Bill! I absolutely appreciate getting ideas thrown at me...so thank you so much for taking the time to do so! That is a great idea with regards to "risers" for the entire table! I really like that!! And thanks for pointing out it might not be acceptable at some shows!! jasoninsd - You had a great looking setup considering you got squeezed down to one table. Glad you're happy with the experience.
Have an idea for you to play around with regarding horizontal/vertical displays. Don't do either one.
Okay, now that I have your attention, think about ways you could elevate the entire tray setup in the back. Sloping it from back to front so people could see more directly into the individual wells your pendants live in. Some tray-width plywood strips with a piece of quarter-round along the front edge might work. Then whatever you could assemble "quick-and-easy" at the shows to raise the back to whatever height you might want.
I really like your trays, too, but I'd have to consider removing lids to make them easier to display. You could do three rows with no lids.
If you decide to try the elevated "ramp" option, it would also give you space underneath to stash your cash box and extra items to show. That could be a big help at a busy show, when you really don't want to turn away from the inventory it it can be avoided.
Keep on rockin'. You're on a roll now... .
Thank you so much Vince!! The same thank you applies with regards to offering suggestions! What's really awesome is you and I are thinking alike! (LOOK OUT! LOL) - That's exactly what I was thinking with regards to the elevation. I have a six-foot fold up table that can take the weight no problem...so I was thinking of having two shelves (one higher than the other) which would slope front to back. The shelves would be long enough to accommodate four display cases each...that way I could have up to twelve display cases as the additional four would be on the table itself - just below the bottom shelf. Great suggestion on the quarter-round as a "stop" on the front edges! All three levels of the display cases would be angled forward...so the lids would have to come off...or I'd have to get different display cases. I was thinking I could actually make the "shelves" out of dowels...which would keep the weight down...and design it so it's just a quick assembly of dowels into support brackets (two on the ends and one in the center). Something as simple as "L" brackets on the front dowel would also be easy enough to use as a "stop" to keep the cases from slipping forward. Or, a small strip of wood on the underside of the cases could catch the back dowel and keep the case from sliding forward...
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Post by fernwood on Nov 25, 2022 7:19:05 GMT -5
Great to have chains available.
For a while I just tried to sell the pendants alone. Then added a piece of grosgrain or jute cord. That helped some. Next, offered a chain for $1.00 with a pendant. So-so results. When I upped the price of pendants by $2.00 and strung them on a chain, it helped a lot with sales. I think most by me do not want to mess around with getting their own chain.
The chains I have are cheapies from Amazon. I think they were 50 cents each in bulk. I have mostly the following colors: Silver, gold, antique brass and antique copper. I did get a mixed batch that included black, blue, pink and teal. At the last show, I had those out by the build a necklace display. Some selected a chain color to match the stone. So, a teal chain to match a turquoise stone, even when the setting was silver. The black chains did look nice with the antique brass/copper pendants. Ended up selling about half of the colored chains I had.
I go by the live and learn philosophy. Each show is different, but I try to tailor what I bring to meet what prospective customers might be looking for. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
The more shows you do, the easier it will be to choose what to bring.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 25, 2022 8:05:56 GMT -5
Great to have chains available. For a while I just tried to sell the pendants alone. Then added a piece of grosgrain or jute cord. That helped some. Next, offered a chain for $1.00 with a pendant. So-so results. When I upped the price of pendants by $2.00 and strung them on a chain, it helped a lot with sales. I think most by me do not want to mess around with getting their own chain. The chains I have are cheapies from Amazon. I think they were 50 cents each in bulk. I have mostly the following colors: Silver, gold, antique brass and antique copper. I did get a mixed batch that included black, blue, pink and teal. At the last show, I had those out by the build a necklace display. Some selected a chain color to match the stone. So, a teal chain to match a turquoise stone, even when the setting was silver. The black chains did look nice with the antique brass/copper pendants. Ended up selling about half of the colored chains I had. I go by the live and learn philosophy. Each show is different, but I try to tailor what I bring to meet what prospective customers might be looking for. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The more shows you do, the easier it will be to choose what to bring. Thanks Beth! I think you're absolutely correct about needing to have chains available. I think I'm going to see about bulk purchasing chains in the 22-24 inch range...then have a pair of pliers with me at the show to shorten if people want a shorter length. One of the reasons I didn't want to get into selling chains with them is the different lengths people seem to want. Having all longer ones than I can shorten onsite may be the most cost effective way...
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 25, 2022 11:31:27 GMT -5
jasoninsd - Chains are tricky business. Everyone has favorite lengths and styles.
Plain black leather cords are a good option for many buyers who just want something they can wear right away. They don't clash with any type of wrap style and give the same kind of look with both copper and silver.
Combine the black cords with bulk "art wire" chains of various colors and let people pick one for free with each pendant. You will have, of course, calculated that into your overhead as you price your pendants, right? People will stare at the price on a pendant, trying to decide if it's worth it, and you tell them they can have any chain they want "from this section - FOR FREE". Many will jump right off that fence on to your side when they hear they get something "extra".
Then, if you want to invest in sterling chains of various styles and lengths for people to buy separately, you have something for everyone. Just be prepared to have long term relationships with some of those chains.
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brotherbill
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2018
Posts: 371
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Post by brotherbill on Nov 25, 2022 12:16:07 GMT -5
I get my chains from a local jewelry shop before each show. We have an agreement that I can return any unsold chains for a full refund after the show. This arrangement works good for both of us.
I select heavy sterling chains that can reasonably accommodate the weight of my heavier pendants. 12-15 gram chains retail for around $75 but when buying 10 you can expect a 50% discount. This leaves room for a small profit if you sell any.
Best of all the customer has the chance to see how the pendant looks with a nice, quality chain.
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 25, 2022 12:32:18 GMT -5
brotherbill - That's a great arrangement to have with your local jeweler. Good deal for both parties. Thanks for posting that.
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