Is it wrong?

[raspberrybloom]

Would it be wrong to buy some jewellery in?

The majority of the jewellery would still be made by us.

We (my sister and I) both work full time so finding the time to expand our collection whilst making up orders is killing us.

What are your thoughts on this?

Lou

[Seahorse]

Hmm, I suppose as long as you declare it as bought in and not hand made.
It could be a section were you say 'we would like to expand our range, giving you more choice.we have bought these jewellery pieces in as they reflect and compliment our taste in jewellery, we hope you like them too'.

Personnaly Im longing for a sense of achievement when (if ) I make and sell jewellery but then again Im not in the same situation as you.My job is full time but I could make things all day if I wanted(if I kicked myself up the butt).

I think as you are still selling your own wares then its ok to buy in goods too.

[swirlyarts]

I like what Seahorse said and as long as you aren't trying to pass it off as your own work then I think you should be fine. Will there be a big difference in price between your items and the bought in stuff - be aware that people may not want to pay more for your items (if indeed your items cost more) if they see that they can get similar items for less money. I personally would be willing to pay more for handcrafted things but thats because I'm a crafter myself and appreciate the hard work that goes into things - if only the whole world was like that :rolleyes:

[Suchaco]

Hi there is no problem about buying in it is your business and can sell what you like, but as seahorse said you must declare that it is not hand made. If you are thinking of buying in have your tried other people who make there own jewellery and see if you can buy of them at trade prices, that way although you havnt made it yourself you can still sell it as hand made.

Hope this has been of some help

[beadsbydesign]

I think that the major issue here is that you should make sure that the bought in stuff is not disuguised to look as though it is your own creation.
I've been to many a craft fair where people are trying to sell bought in mass produced jewellery as their own. we can all tell the difference and it only breeds ill feeling, rumour etc. Be up front and there should be no problem at all!

Ps. It's great that your business is expanding!

[raspberrybloom]

Thanks for all the advice.

I think I will by a few bits in, but I want them to fit in with our collection. I have been searching for jewellery but nothing us yet has really caught my eye.

I know exactly what you mean about mass produced jewellery. I went to a craft fair on Sunday and most of the other jewellery stalls had bought pieces in (yes, they were up front about it) but my prices were obvisouly higher. I mean how can we compete? Also, a craft fair should be about people who MAKE there own pieces!!!! Grrr!

[beadsbydesign]

Also, a craft fair should be about people who MAKE there own pieces!!!! Grrr!

Don't get me started on that one.
I think low sales at craft fairs these days are a direct result of low standards of managment.
Go to any high street around the country and you will see the same shops with the same clothes... M&S BHS Top shop to name but three. It should be different at craft fairs. They should have people who are showing off their crafting skills, their painting, card making, sewing etc. It just seems that now a days craft fairs are full of the same mass produced goods... virgin vie, avon, phoenix cards,........ (the list is endless!) it's no wonder attendance at these events is down.
I never guessed how busy I would be this year I've sold out three times already this christmas and am franticaly making jewellery for another show tomorrow. I have some silver bangles that I bought in last year but don't take to many shows, I think they will be coming out again tomorrow!

[Silver Ruby]

Hi,

Can you tell me more about Pheonix cards?
I had someone get in touch with me about the craft fairs who sell these!
I've never heard of them before.

Thanks,

Fiona
Silver Ruby - Colourful Contemporary Jewellery
www.silverruby.com (http://www.silverruby.com)

Edinburgh Craft Fairs
www.edinburghcraftfairs.co.uk (http://www.edinburghcraftfairs.co.uk)

[beadsbydesign]

Phoenix cards are sold on a similar basis to virgin vie. They are beautiful products, crads, invites, paper, gift tags etc. They have a wide range of styles and are a quality product..... But at the end of the day they are mass produced. I believe they have a web site.

[Seahorse]

Im going to a virgin vie party tomorrow(usually cosmetics not jewellery), please dont hate me.

[beadsbydesign]

No hard feelings from me!..... their jewellery keeps me in business.... it is always being brought to me at the market to be mended!!

[raspberrybloom]

[QUOTE=beadsbydesign;12655]
I never guessed how busy I would be this year I've sold out three times already this christmas and am franticaly making jewellery for another show tomorrow. QUOTE]

We have taken a slump in sales recently and to be honest it's starting to panic me.
I thought I would be rushed of my feet this time of year.
Any ideas how I can improve business?
Lou

[Fran]

That's a question that has bugged me for years! there are times when I've been busy and struggle to find the time to make new stock and that's when I think to myself should I or should I not?

The answer is not! I've come to realise that I must be a purist and I just can't put bought in items on my table for sale, it just doesn't feel right for me! To me it's cheating the customers that come to what they think is a craft fair and not a gift fair. Having nothing but my own work on the table means that I can proudly say "yes! I make everything" and can offer a complete alteration or remake service that you can't do with bought in goods.

I have many crafting friends that do buy in goods, but for most part it's to compliment the items they make which I feel is more acceptable.

What I hate is those who do nothing but buy in goods! they should not be there! they take away the value and originallity of what we (crafters) do!

The craft Fairs are suffering as a direct result of customers coming in and seeing stuff that they could get at most high street shops. Then there are those who don't realise that what they have bought was originally bought in and not as they thought handcrafted by the stallholder. Customers who come to a craft fair expect to see crafts and don't come back when they see that organisers are allowing those who do nothing but buy in to be there.

If you need to buy things in to help fill your table during busy times then why not consider things that compliment your goods and not lose your true value as a crafter. Also bear in mind not to buy in goods that would compete against a crafter making these things. I can think of Bracelet Helpers, small jewellery boxes, jewellery stands, polishing cloths etc.

Sorry!!! but you did ask for opinions and I honestly don't mean to offend anyone!

Fran

[Sommerwood]

My mother in law has just started selling Pheonix cards, and yes they are lovely and good quality but are only £1 / card generally as a result of being mass produced. I certianly wouldn't agree with them being sold at craft fairs as that just wouldn't be fair on other genuine handcrafted card makers who struggle with enough competition as it is.

They are always looking for artists though apparently so if anybody is any good at painting / drawing and has some unqie ideas for cards then they pay you for your designs, have a look at their website for more info on that.