Just as it was for Melody Stuart.

Melody buys wholesale jewelry and sells it for a nifty profit. Although she had tried selling her pieces in every way imaginable, she had never considered a trunk show.

One day in January, she set out to visit stores that may accept her jewelry on consignment.  She gathered her best pieces, and in the company of her best friend Alyssa and her daughter Mary, began parading around town presenting her jewelry to all kinds of storeowners.  As the day advanced, she grew less optimistic; each store she visited was like enduring a job interview.

Towards the end of the day, when her energy was almost gone and she was feeling pretty down, they arrived to a secondhand clothing consignment store.  She immediately knew shoppers went there looking for a deal, so she understood this place was not the best option for her jewelry pieces.

As she decided to move to the next store, Alyssa insisted she shouldn’t let any chance go by, so she walked up to the counter and asked to speak to the owner.

A very enthusiastic mother and daughter, who fell in love with the jewelry at first sight, owned the store; however, they didn’t think it would sell in their shop at the prices Melody was asking for.

Melody thanked them and was about to leave when the daughter asked, “What are you doing Saturday?”  The store was having a Customer Appreciation Day with food, massages, makeovers, and a lot more, and they invited Melody to set up a table in front of the store to see what happened.  In this way, the women agreed to a trunk show.

Saturday came and it was a mutual success.  Melody sold jewelry pieces to some of their regular customers, and the beautiful table setting she designed attracted new customers to the store.

Every time she sold a piece, the customer had to go inside the store to pay, and Melody, and the storeowners, noticed many of them came out with purchased clothes too.

Melody took the opportunity to add new names to her mailing list, and she gave tons of business cards away.  Also, the store kept a commission of only 10% of her sales, which is very rare.

She was invited back with her trunk show during a popular street fair, and it worked even better.  Melody had lots of exposure and didn’t have to pay for a booth, so she made three times more than on her last trunk show, and the storeowners took their 10% commission in jewelry pieces.  Melody is now invited regularly to do trunk shows with them, and the earnings keep growing.

So, stay open to the opportunities out there.  As a business owner, you must think outside-the-jewelry-box.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.paradisojewelry.com as the original source).

This is the way your next sale could start.

As it turns out, a blog is an excellent tool to sell jewelry online.  You can grab your readers’ interest in your pieces by blogging about how they were created, about interesting data regarding the materials used, about what’s unique in a specific jewelry piece, or about what it meant to one of your clients and personal stories they share with you.

The idea is to give your wholesale jewelry pieces a history and a meaning amid the ocean of options out there.  In a few blog posts, you can create an interesting story that adds value to your pieces and sets them apart.

Stories sell, they most definitely sell jewelry, and if they are told in episodes, each episode will bring more readers in.

Through a blog, you can build expectation around a new jewelry piece or collection you’ll be launching, you can make your readers desire your new pieces, and then disclose them.  Make a big deal out of the occasion and encourage your readers to comment.

Put an unobtrusive “buy now” button below the jewelry photo in your blog.  The majority of blog readers, besides wanting information, want to be entertained, and the more and better you do that, the more often they will return, the more they will recommend you to others, and eventually they will buy.

Think of it this way: you gather a crowd by telling interesting and amusing stories about the jewelry pieces you sell.  Once a story is told, you have an interested group ready to buy, and the rest will tell their friends and family about this amusing jewelry seller.

People pay for what they love, no matter the price; thus, your mission is to make your readers fall in love with your jewelry pieces so that they feel the need to buy them before someone else does.

Once in a while, offer your readers funny stories and episodes about things you and they care about. Make it a personal conversation, pour your words, heart, and soul into it.  Maybe comment on something you saw on TV, another blog entry, or a newsletter.  Make your readers laugh, cry, and feel deeply.

Emotions are powerful; if you can make your readers feel, they will come back for more, they will share it, and they will want to be an active part of it.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.paradisojewelry.com as the original source).

Maybe the biggest and strongest market for jewelry worldwide is the sentimental one.  There are as many opportunities to sell jewelry as there are occasions and celebrations of love and appreciation.

Everyone who loves someone and has to give them a gift for any special occasion will want that gift to be unique and special, memorable not only of that special day but of a lifelong relationship based on love and caring.  Definitely, this is a niche worth considering if you are into the wholesale jewelry business and wish to make it prosperous.

So, which are the occasions that beg for a clear sign of love?  It can be every and any important day in the life of a loved one: a graduation, a wedding, retirement, an engagement, a baby shower, Mother’s Day, a confirmation, bar mitzvah, an anniversary, a bridal shower, the prom, a new job, a birthday or Christmas, you name it!

Jewelry is a favorite for many of these occasions, as it shows intimacy, value and caring.  Besides the meaning it has in itself, a big part of the jewelry’s meaning comes with the tag or packaging it comes in.  For example, printing a special message on a beautiful box will make the piece’s value rise immensely, as it will appeal to emotion, which is what sells the jewelry in the end.  With the right message, you can give the jewelry piece a connection to love that will last forever and make it memorable.

The packaging and wrapping must be as unique as the piece, and convey its value.  The packaging is commonly kept to store the jewelry, so, make it extra special, a kind of treasure to be cherished.  It is also important to provide a quality certificate, to show value and uniqueness.

Take the time to think about a phrase or saying that conveys the emotion behind the piece of jewelry you are offering and why it is one in a million, and select a font that enhances the feeling.  All this will increase the perceived value of your pieces, making them unique.

To go one step further, if you personalize the piece, it will make spirits soar.  The giver is saying: this piece was created for you and only you.  There are many ways to personalize a piece of jewelry; there are the common ways, like engraving initials, names and dates, or the more unique ways, like selecting a birthstone, a significant color, preserve a heirloom in the piece, add a piece of fabric from a special occasion, select something to do with a hobby or a pet.

Giving jewelry as a gift is all about the occasion that it represents and the person that inspires it, thus, make sure you offer your clients a unique way to show their loved ones how much they care.

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Many retailers today want to take their business out of the traditional store setting and sell jewelry in a variety of other venues.  For many, this means online selling, but it can also mean selling in markets, kiosks, or even traveling shows.  You still need a good wholesale jewelry supplier, but you no longer need the upkeep and overhead of a permanent location.  If this type of jewelry selling appeals to you, you will need to have a complete “jewelry –store- to- go” plan.  Here is a checklist of the things you should have to take on the road with you.

•    Some markets will allow for pulling your vehicle right up to the selling location, but if that’s not possible, you will need a wagon, garden cart or shopping trolley to transport your goods from your car to your display booth.

•    Folding table and chairs.  These are readily available at department and home stores.  Be sure to have at least two chairs in case you have someone helping you at the show.  A helper can not only provide company, but they can also man your booth to allow you to take a break or to talk one on one with customers without keeping others waiting.

•    Table covers.  Any kind of cloth will do, although it is a good idea to have something that can stand up to being outdoors.  Clips that can weigh the cloth down and keep it place are also helpful.

•    Order books, receipt books and gift certificates as well as marketing materials.  Have a sign that displays your company name and don’t forget your business cards!

•    Cash box, credit card slips, debit machine, or whatever payment equipment you need.  Cash float for making change with cash sales.

•    Extension cords, lamps, power bars and lighting accessories such as extra bulbs, and duct tape for keeping cords out of the way.  Good lighting is paramount to showing your merchandise at its best.

•    Display cases, stands, risers, and cloths for displaying your jewelry

•    A canopy or tent cover if your show is taking place outdoors.  Be sure to have some type of weights or stakes to help anchor the canopy in case of wind.

•    For yourself, a small cooler with refreshments, a raincoat, sunscreen, bug spray and even an extra sweater or jacket for weather changes. A radio can be pleasant for passing a long day and can even keep you up on impending bad weather.

While there may be many other things you’ll find you need as you go along, this list should provide a good starting point.  Selling wholesale jewelry out of the retailing mainstream can be fun and prosperous, but it is always going to work the best when you have the right tools and supplies at hand!

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.paradisojewelry.com as the original source).

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Color is a part of life. It is everywhere and we use it for everything and in everything, and it is especially important in clothes and accessories.  A well-planned outfit will show a combination, or even contrast, of well-chosen pieces and colors that strengthen an image and a personality.

Color combination between an outfit and its accessories is an art, one that you must master if you own or are planning to start a wholesale jewelry business venture, thus, here you will find a little about color theory applied to fashion and tips on how to get the best out of it.

Primary colors are red, blue and yellow; any other color results from the combination of these, as mixed in different amounts.  The secondary colors, purple, orange and green, are created from the combination of any two primary ones in the same amount.

Primary and secondary colors provide the complementary colors, which are the ones that are directly opposite to each other on the color wheel.  The complement for red is green, for yellow is purple, and for blue is orange.  Talk about contrast!  This is the definitely the way to go if you want to stand out.  Combine a yellow suit with purple jewelry to appear sophisticated and even playful, depending on the tones.

However, color is not only about appearing flashy, there are ways to use color and still be subtle.  On the color wheel, the two colors that are next to the main color’s complement form the triad colors, which guide the way for selecting the jewelry and accessories to match.

That same yellow suit when combined with silver, or blue, or even red will make the person look elegant and professional.  For the always-necessary gray business suit, for example, you first must establish if the gray is cool or warm.  It will look more red or yellow if it is warm, or bluer, if it is cool.  If it were cool, the complement of blue is orange, which triad is red and yellow.  Based on this, gold will go great with that suit.

As a general rule, follow these steps every time you want to complement an outfit with the perfect jewelry to make a statement:

-    Establish the base color of the clothes; it will be the main color.

-    Find the complement for that color using the color wheel.  To stand out, use that complement.

-    Take a look at the triad next to the complement; these are the colors you will most likely use to accessorize.  You can use both colors or just one, in its different tones.

If you follow these steps, any outfit will make the person stand out in the right way.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.paradisojewelry.com as the original source).

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A jewelry open house is a very powerful way to get feedback from your potential customers without spending a bundle.  This feedback will not only be in regards to the jewelry pieces, but also about your displays, presentation and packaging, which are key elements to guarantee your success in different shows and private activities.

Of course an impressive open house must look impressive, which may be a challenge when your budget is kind of limited, but never a problem when your creative forces come to the rescue.

-    The Internet allows you to make and send inexpensive and classy invitations with your logo and all the necessary information.  You can send them to hundreds of people at virtually no cost.

-    You can easily learn to take your own jewelry photos or you can ask your jewelry wholesaler for some quality materials.  You can create unique and special price tags using office supplies and a little creativity.

-    As for the business cards, you can design them yourself using Photoshop or any other program available online, and you can get them printed through a web printing company that can offer you a great price.

-    To present the jewelry pieces, search the local dollar stores and warehouses to find pieces of fabric to use as tablecloths, for flower arrangements, and paper products.  You can also get some ribbons or laces to hang some of your jewelry in a colorful and romantic way.

-    Do not be shy, borrow tables, fabric, or other stuff from friends, and use your own stuff as well.  You may have beautiful frames, platters, bowls or vases that can work as a great complement for your jewelry.

-    Ask your friends for help in many different ways. Maybe someone is starting their own business as a pastry chef, for example, and your event will be a great way for them to advertise.  At the same time, you are offering your potential clients a delicious complement to your beautiful pieces.

-    Be open to sincere thoughts and opinions that enrich your business, since you may also meet important contacts, like photographers, designers and boutique owners, who are looking for great wholesale jewelry and are always on the look out for new opportunities and projects.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.paradisojewelry.com as the original source).

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If you are looking for ways to increase your jewelry sales, gift certificates are a sure way to go.  Jewelry is a great gift for many occasions, but since it is a very personal one, a gift certificate will allow the person to choose a piece she really likes, and one that complements her personality.

A gift certificate is fairly simple to design, if you have a computer and a printer, you can do it yourself.  Simply choose an elegant template online and fill it out to fit your business, but you can let your imagination run wild and make them into an interesting and appealing thing.  It is great to use photos of your jewelry, ask your jewelry wholesalers for some great pictures or take them yourself, and never forget to put your business card inside the envelope.

Any gift certificate must contain your business name and contact information, a “To:” line and a “From:” line, an “Amount:” line, “Custom orders welcome” legend (in case the client wants to buy a special or customized piece by adding some extra money themselves), a unique certificate number, and a security sticker to ensure its authenticity (it should be accompanied by the legend: “This item has embedded security and is void if not present”.

For your personal records, it is important that you keep a log of the certificates you sell, in this way; you have a way to account for each one of them and to confirm the certificate is real and everything is correct (amount, dates, etc.).

You can allow the buyer to fill the “To:” and “From:” spaces in their own handwriting to make it more personal, but you should always write the dollar amount yourself.

Any gift certificate log must have, at least, the following information:  certificate’s number, purchaser’s name, recipient’s name, date sold, dollar amount, and date redeemed.

You will not sell any certificates if you do not let your customers know that you offer them.  Thus, wherever you show your pieces, always have a sign announcing that you have gift certificates available, and also tell everyone personally while they are looking at the jewelry.  In this way, you have the valuable opportunity of reminding them of the great advantages of buying a certificate for a loved one.

Once someone arrives to redeem the certificate, you will have the chance to sell her more than one piece, maybe something to combine with her chosen gift.

Gift certificates work by attracting clients as if by referral, this means, it can’t get any better!

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!

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