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<title>handmade</title>
<link>http://www.bizcovering.com/tags/handmade</link>
<description>New posts about handmade</description>
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<title>Unique Ideas for Selling More Handmade Jewelry</title>
<link>http://www.bizcovering.com/Small-Business/Unique-Ideas-for-Selling-More-Handmade-Jewelry.112443</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[<p>If you make handcrafted jewelry to sell, you may enjoy the creative aspects of your business but dread having to market your jewelry. Marketing handmade jewelry doesn't have to be difficult. Sometimes making some simple changes in the way you design your jewelry or approach your market can really multiply your jewelry sales. Marketing your own handcrafted jewelry designs, gives you a chance to test different marketing approaches and allow you to get a first hand idea of what jewelry customers are looking for. Marketing handmade jewelry is an art just as the actual design process is. Here are some ways to market your handmade jewelry more effectively:</p>
 
<h3>Tie Your Handcrafted Jewelry in With Clothing Trends</h3>
 
<p>If you display your handcrafted jewelry at craft or jewelry shows, bring along a few examples of current fashions you can display next to your jewelry. Hang one of your necklaces on a hanger with a stylish dress or top so people can see how they complement each other. If you sell your jewelry in boutiques, ask the owner if she'll place your jewelry on some of the mannequins wearing the latest clothing styles. People want the latest fashions and when they see how good your jewelry coordinates with current styles, they'll quickly become customers.</p>
 
<h3>Have Your Friends Wear Your Jewelry to Work</h3>
 
<p>This is a simple way to sell handmade jewelry without any participation on your part. Have a few close friends who are fashionable wear your jewelry to their place of employment. When people comment on the pieces, your friend can let them know the jewelry is for sale. Give your friend a small commission or free jewelry for her time.</p>
 
<h3>Create Sets</h3>
 
<p>Many people like to buy a coordinating set of earrings, necklace, and bracelet. Make attractive gift sets and display them in boxes covered with handmade paper. When people admire the necklace, they'll probably end up buying the entire set which means more profits for you.</p>
 
<h3>Create an Incentive to Buy More</h3>
 
<p>At a craft, jewelry show, or home party, offer a special purchase discount. For example, if a person buys two pairs of earrings they get a third one free of charge. This type of offer appeals to almost everyone and can really motivate a customer to purchase more.</p>
 
<h3>Encourage Touching</h3>
 
<p>Some handcrafted jewelry sellers become uneasy when customers handle the merchandise. When a customer touches a piece of jewelry, the chances of a purchase goes up significantly. The chance of purchasing is even higher if they try the piece on. Encourage browsers to try on the merchandise and have plenty of mirrors available. Once they see how good they look in your designs, you'll have a new customer.</p>
 
<p>Marketing handmade jewelry can be an exciting challenge and keeping in touch with your customer by doing your own marketing can ultimately make you a better jewelry designer.</p><a href="http://www.pheedo.com/click.phdo?x=&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizcovering.com%2FSmall-Business%2FUnique-Ideas-for-Selling-More-Handmade-Jewelry.112443"><img src="http://www.pheedo.com/img.phdo?x=&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizcovering.com%2FSmall-Business%2FUnique-Ideas-for-Selling-More-Handmade-Jewelry.112443" border="0"/></a>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:26:31 PST</pubDate></item>
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<title>How to Price Your Crafts for Online Sales</title>
<link>http://www.bizcovering.com/Small-Business/How-to-Price-Your-Crafts-for-Online-Sales.32911</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[<p>There are several things to take into account when pricing your crafts for online sales.  The following three points are a good base for determining retail prices.</p>
 
 <h3>The Cost of Craft Materials</h3>
 
 <p>The first thing to consider when pricing your crafts for online sales is the cost of the craft materials.  Be sure to include not only the obvious materials, such as fabric, beads, or wood, but also the partial materials such as thread or glue and paint.  Of course, you cannot charge your craft sale's customers for an entire bottle of glue.  You must come up with the cost for what fraction of the glue or paint bottle you use for each individual craft.</p>
 
 <h3>Hourly Rate for Your Online Craft Sales</h3>
 
 <p>After determining the cost of craft materials, figure out your hourly or per piece rate for each craft item.  This is just part of the profit that you will get for your online craft sales.</p>
 
 <p>For example, if the materials for a wooden toy cost $5.00, and it takes you one hour to complete one toy, you should add the material cost to the hourly charge you want.  That could bring the craft price up to ten or fifteen dollars.</p>
 
 <h3>Uniqueness and Quality in Craft Pricing</h3>
 
 <p>If your crafts are of exceptional quality, you can charge more for that.  Doing online research on other craft sales is a great way of determining this.  Be objective.  Your customers will be able to tell if your wooden toy is really better or worse than your competitors.  If it is markedly better, you can charge an extra amount for the craft.</p>
 
 <p>Unique crafts can also be sold for more than common crafts.  Many online crafters may be selling wooden toy trains, but if you are the only one selling wooden dump trucks, you can corner that market.  Be sure to advertise your unique crafts and you will be able to price those crafts higher.  </p>
 
 <p>Figuring out how to price your crafts for online sales is a vital part of any handicraft business.  By taking into account the cost of craft materials, the time it takes you to complete the craft, and how unique or specialized your crafts are, you should be able to determine the best online sales prices for your crafts.</p><a href="http://www.pheedo.com/click.phdo?x=&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizcovering.com%2FSmall-Business%2FHow-to-Price-Your-Crafts-for-Online-Sales.32911"><img src="http://www.pheedo.com/img.phdo?x=&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizcovering.com%2FSmall-Business%2FHow-to-Price-Your-Crafts-for-Online-Sales.32911" border="0"/></a>]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:43:40 PST</pubDate></item>
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