Inside the Studio - Mini Displays

Welcome to Inside the Studio! 

Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
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  This weeks winner is Kim Stevens! Congratulations!
You have won an owl from Tesori Trovati.

 Today you back in the Humblebeads Studio and what's on my mind today - holiday shows!

I don't have much planned for the holidays and to tell you the truth I'm doing a little hustling to find places to host trunk shows - offices, schools, boutiques, spas - wherever I think a good match would be for my jewelry!  I have been researching shows but deadlines are so far in advance for the good shows, let's just say next year I'll be rocking the holiday markets in my area.  

For now I have two shows that are Artisan Markets at local art centers.  These are basically gift shop settings that take over the gallery for 2-3 weeks during the holidays and work on consignment.  

So how do you sell your jewelry and tell a story when are aren't there?  Well here are a few tips:

1. Merchandise your jewelry smartly - this isn't the time to throw any and everything on the display.  Create a  collection that works together.  For this show I paired up woodland themed jewelry with the motifs of leaves, trees, birds and nests.  Everything works together and I have a range of prices from $25-$65.  

2. Keep your display simple, affordable and one that compliments your brand/style.  I covered a canvas from Hobby Lobby with silk fabric and a flew 12" particle boards that we had in our crafty closet. A glue gun and scissors were all that were required.  Make sure you put your name on your displays.

The great thing about this display is your can make up several sets for different shows.  

*Be sure to pin everything down.  It keeps them from sprouting legs and walking away.

3. Tell your story without saying a word.  Create a sign with one or two sentences that introduce your jewelry, include it with your business name and logo and put it in a frame to go with your display. 

Mine says, " My jewelry features designs that jump out of my sketchbook, are transformed into clay and become reminders for the wearer to live mindfully, rejoice in nature's beauty and to remember the peace that comes from touching the earth."

I also included a copy of book because well that's just impressive isn't it?  And now you see the story of my jewelry and know a little bit about it without me saying a word.  If you do sign up for these type of events they always have an opening night.  Plan to attend, meet as many people as your can, wear a ton of your jewelry and bring your business cards.  You never know who you might meet!

 Now for the prize this week - it's a $20 gift certificate from Humblebeads.com. 

What is a clever display idea that you've seen or that you use?

Leave a comment and we'll pick a winner next Friday. 

Art Bead Scene Black Friday thru Cyber Monday Sales

Happy Holidays! A few of the Art Bead Scene editors are offering weekend sales. Here's the scoop! Sales start Friday unless otherwise noted.

Earthenwood Studio is offering 25% off of your entire purchase of handcrafted ceramic beads and components for the holiday weekend.  Use code HOLIDAY2011 at check out at the Earthenwood Website, Etsy shop, and Etsy Jewelry Galleria.  Offer expires Tuesday, November 29th at midnight.

Website: http://www.earthenwoodstudio.com
Etsy Shop:  http://www.earthenwood.etsy.com
Etsy Jewelry Galleria: http://www.earthenwoodceramics.etsy.com

10% off and Free shipping at the Jennifer Jangles website and the Jangles Etsy shop. The Etsy shop has just been loaded up with beads, jewelry, gifts, and more. Shipping charges have already been removed from both sites, enter cyber10 to receive your discount. Sale ends Tuesday, November 29th at midnight.

Jennifer Jangles website: www.jenniferjangles.com
Jennifer Jangles Etsy shop: www.jangles.etsy.com

20% off your entire purchase now until Monday, Novemeber 28th at midnight.  You'll find holiday inspired beads like snowman, snowflakes, evergreens and more in the Humblebeads Etsy shop.  Use discount code Holiday2011.

Heather's Humblebeads Etsy Shop: www.humblebeads.etsy.com 

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Checklist

Inventory
Make lots of earrings and smaller pendants.
Brainstorm gift ideas - ornaments, fan pulls, beaded pens, zipper pulls, etc.
Create a collection of higher priced items for special gifts.
Make twice as much as you'd like to sell this season.
Have a small portable box of components and create earrings or wire wrap accent beads during your spare moments.
Use the Muffin Tin method to have projects ready to go during this busy time.
Create memory wire bracelets or adjustable bracelets to improve their gift appeal.
Personalize items - monograms or customized options can increase your sales this season.

Decide Where to Sell
Online - join with others to promote your work and participate in online events.
Arts & Crafts Shows - probably too late to sign up now for bigger shows but don't be afraid to contact promoters of smaller shows to see if they have a spot or cancellation.  (One tip - make sure your spot is in the main selling area, if not - skip signing up.)
Plan your own open house.  Lorelei Eurto had some great tips earlier this year. Pair up with another small business owner.
Get creative - I've set up a mini display for teachers during their lunch hour to shop for last minute holiday gifts.  I know some offices host shopping days during their lunch hours.  Start brainstorming and asking around.
Create your own holiday gift guide with your work and the work of other artists you admire. Share it with your social media lists.

Shipping & Packaging
Buy items in bulk if you can.
Check out Etsy for shops that sell cute packaging items.
Step it up during the holidays with great boxes, wrapping and bows.  It makes a difference.
Order business cards, postcards, tags and earrings cards now so you won't run out during the holiday season.

Have fun prepping and offering your wonderful creations this holiday season.  Remember it's not just about making money and selling - focus on pairing up shoppers with the perfect holiday gifts and filling their needs and the money will follow.

Prepare for Holiday Sales

I know it's hard to think about the holiday selling season when you are enjoying the lazy days of summer, but now is actually the perfect time to get started.  Getting ready for the holidays may seem like a big nebulous goal and you aren't sure where to start - aside from pulling out snowflake beads.  I'm going to offer some tips for coming up with a plan to help reduce stress and increase sales when October finally arrives and people are starting their holiday shopping.  Here are some tasks to add to your to-do list over these last few weeks of summer.

Goal Setting
Start with the end in mind.  Set a sales goal for yourself.  It can be monthly or for the entire holiday season.  It can be scary, it's okay to think big.  Look at your sales from last year and set a realistic goal, but one that stretches your ambition.  Break your goal down into weekly sales and decide how many pieces you need to have in your inventory to reach that goal.

Create Your Collections
Even if you only make one of a kind pieces you can start now by building up your inventory.  I would encourage you to make collections of jewelry, just like a fashion designer would.  Make designs that you can easily replicate, change out the focal bead or color scheme if you don't want to make exactly the same thing.  Spend a day sketching out your ideas.

Take a look at fashion trends for Fall and Winter to find some timely inspiration.  Look in current magazines and catalogs for upcoming trends as a starting point.
 
Pantone's Fall Color Report

Start stocking up on basic supplies when things go on sale. Make sure you subscribe to your favorite shops' newsletters to take advantage of their sales.  Or consider buying wholesale as much as possible to help improve your bottom line.

Where to Sell
Decide where to sell.  If you don't have an online shop and sell mostly at shows, consider opening a shop now and add items weekly.  Don't wait until October to set up shop online, start now and build your customer base so when the holidays roll around you'll have people who have already had a great shopping experience with you.  You won't feel like you are learning all the ins and outs of selling online when you are busy with the holiday rush.

I would also suggest finding a holiday art show or two and apply for them.  Do this today, as deadlines may be fast approaching.  If you have missed a deadline, give the show promoter a call and see if you can be put on a wait list.  You never know until you ask. 

Make plans now to host a holiday open house.  You might consider pairing up with a few other artists or indie biz owners and plan a group show together.  Start now by collecting names and emails at local shows to invite your customers to this event.

Approach new shops and galleries now to carry your work. Don't wait until the holidays, they will have already purchased their inventory.  Also if you are in a few shops already, set up a time to show them your fall and holiday collection before the end of the summer.

Marketing
If you aren't collecting emails for a newsletter, start that today.  You can use free services like MailChimp or a paid service like Vertical Response.  Schedule to send out a newsletter monthly or bi-monthly.

Set up social media accounts if you don't have them already - Twitter, a Facebook page for your business and a blog are the three big ones.  Have a neglected blog?  Take steps now to spruce it up and build up your readership.  Learn these three basics and build up your following slowly over the next few months.  You'll be glad you did!  If that seems overwhelming then pick one and learn the basics.  Read articles online on how to use these sites to promote your business in a non-spammy way.  There is a right and wrong way to use social media.  I recommend the blog ebooks from Crafty Pod.  I took a blog class with Diane last year and it's really worth the investment.

Research your advertising options on popular blogs. Contact blogs to introduce yourself.  Set up cross promotions with other blogs, like interviewing each other or doing giveaways.

Read the archives on Modish Biz Tips for helpful advice for any of these areas.  Subscribe to Handmadeology for great tips on selling on Etsy.  And for great business tips subscribe to Crafting an MBA and check out the resources on the website.

Come up with a holiday sales plan and work it now so that when the holidays are actually here you can enjoy the festivities instead of feeling like you are spinning your wheels trying to catch up!

-Heather Powers is the editor of the Art Bead Scene and the creative force behind Humblebeads.com.