Jewelry parties

[youyours]

Hello,

When going around in shops to promote my stuff three people asked if I do jewelry parties, which I don't, but it got me thinking. Red some information about it in another thread, but I still don't understand the entire thing. I must be daft but I haven't really heard about parties like this.

My questions are:

Do you normally have the parties at home or in a function bar?
If you have it at home do you provide food?
And when is it normal to take the jewelry out or do you have them spread out in the room?

Oh dear, I really hope you don't think I am as daft as I feel right now.

[Sprinkles]

I held my first Jewellery Party just before Christmas. I held it at home, and sent out Invitations to friends and family and asked them to bring their friends!

It was like a body shop party, but without the embarrassing 'introducing yourself part'.

I had laid out all my jewellery like i would do at a craft fair, prices, the lot! They spent about 30 minuets just looking, buying, answering questions and taking orders. It really was fun! Plus.... they were almost made to buy something, even if they didn't want anything! (not that i made them!) (you know what its like.... look through the catalogue for the cheapest soap that someone may like for christmas at that last body shop party you went to!)

I made some cakes and made enough cups of tea for england. And in all it was a great evening. It's well worth starting small in your own home, then branching out going to other people houses.

[icecreamgirl]

Ive done a few, it's a good way to start if you don't want to venture into the big bad world of craft fairs...
The good points of having a jewellery party is that you have a captive audience, the people that came know what they are coming for and so are usually prepared to spend money.
Also it takes only a couple of hours at the most, is usually very relaxed and a fun night.
I think if you use the room/rooms as a 'stage' and dress the mantle piece, tables anything thats around with your items it is a lot more in formal than having a table layed out as soon as they walk in but that would only work if you know the people coming, you don't want people pocketing your stuff!!

[crafty-clarie]

I've had friends tell me that they will do a party for me (my jewellery) and things don't seem to materialise!! I don't like to ask them again because I don't want to put them under any pressure. In the same way I feel a little awkward doing something at home because (like you say) people tend to feel pressured to buy something!
(Having said that, I've been to everyone elses parties selling everything from "unmentionables" to cooking utensils and spent a fortune cos even the cheapest things cost loads!!!)

What incentives do you offer?

C x :jippie:

[Sprinkles]

I dont tend to 'mark up' my jewellery at silly prices anyway, but at the parties i did sell my jewellery slighty cheaper. I dont know if that was a good or bad idea, but it worked, and i still made a profit without giving it away.

[beadsbydesign]

I've had friends tell me that they will do a party for me (my jewellery) and things don't seem to materialise!! I don't like to ask them again because I don't want to put them under any pressure. In the same way I feel a little awkward doing something at home because (like you say) people tend to feel pressured to buy something!
(Having said that, I've been to everyone elses parties selling everything from "unmentionables" to cooking utensils and spent a fortune cos even the cheapest things cost loads!!!)

What incentives do you offer?

C x :jippie:
You need to solidify these "arrangements" At the moment is the best time. When a friend offers the party take them up there and then by saying "have you got a date in mind?" Push a little there and then while they are enthusiastic. arrange to phone them for a diary consultation within the next day or two. often well meaning friends do mean it they just need pushing to get going!

I have done parties at other peoples houses and my shpeel goes along the lines of. Do not feel obliged to purchase. have fun tonight and spread the word. There is a free gift for those who book a party within the next two months. I have little phone charms and earrings for under £5.00 so it's not like going to some of the parties.
once a year I open my home up for a christmas open house. i invite all and sundry and publicise big time. It goes on all day and people pop in all day and evening. Each year I get mugged in September by people asking are you doing it again this year? So I don't think anyone minds!

[Pebbles]

i had one at a colleagues house and once the ladies started getting a little tipsy, I sold more......

tee hee, involve alcohol, you sell more

I also got my boyfriend to drive me there so I could have a glass of wine (or six) myself. So it was a really fun informal party, or an evening gossiping amongst friends, with the added bonus of making some money.

I just displayed everything on her fire place (fire was not on, obviously) and people just got up and had a look at their leisure. No one felt pressured to buy anything.

[beadsbydesign]

The parties like Virgin Vie , Anne Summers, tupperware etc have trained sales people. they actually go on courses to learn how to sell and they get paid by commission. They are in it for the money not for the joy they get out of creating jewellery so the whole ethos is different.
jewellery parties work so well because they are informal and you leave the women to tallk each other into buying!

[Sprinkles]

Thats so true!
I had a blue and pink jingly jangly necklace. She was like "shall i get the pink one or the blue one, hmm the pink one? nah, the blue one" All the other ladies were saying "get the blue one, you wear alot of blue"

Its great to step back to watch everyone look and comment at your creations, makes you feel yummy inside.

Everyone go and have a PARTY!

[youyours]

Oh you all really inspired me. Will definitely plan a jewelry party now... and serve some wine with it :)

Have a lovely weekend!

[crafty-clarie]

Did anyone mention wine?

I wouldn't dream of hosting a party without it - i'd need a bottle or 2 for myself before anyone else arrived!!!!!!!!

C x :jippie:

[youyours]

I wouldn't dream of hosting a party without it - i'd need a bottle or 2 for myself before anyone else arrived!!!!!!!!

haha. I might need to do that as well.

[janetdc]

Going to a home jewellery party got me thinking about making my own. From there I joined a course and now make and sell lots of lovely stuff. If you ask somebody to host who supplies the food/drink? How do you work out their reward - do you base it on turnover?

[creativeclare]

A friend of mine holds jewelry parties but she gives 10% of her takings to a local charity.

This certainly seems to encourage more people to spend!

Clare

[youyours]

Having my first jewelry party tonight, have a feeling I am gonna be nervous later on.

Haven't finished as much jewelry that I wanted (have been working hard though, my fingers are hurting) but I do have a album with photos of my stuff that I have done in the past.

Bought loads of wine :) and having a mix of spanish and italian nibbles.

Any last minute advise? Mistakes that anyone did that you thought about the next time you had one?

--Helen

[marra]

i do ann summers i can give you info how we do it if you like ?

[youyours]

Oh yes please do Marra :)

[marra]

ok , i stared by holding my own party ,then all my friends and work friends came i got some of them to book a party and they get 10% comission on sales at their party and a free gift if 2 book a party .for each friend ive got she has 10 i dont know so it rolls out from there . the hostess puts on food and evry one brings a bottle . i play games and give prizes (could just be some chocs) and do a raffle ! £2 each to play and give min £10 worth of goods . i get 20% comission but i make more with raffles and sale items . i average earn £120 a party from £300 sales . its easy done ! ive been doing it 3 years and average 4 partys a month . hope this helps ????

[donnacpeace]

I host jewellery parties.
I did my first one at home and invited everyone and there dog along.

I then encouraged my family and friends to hold parties.

I display all items on a table

Give the hostess a free gift of her choice and 10% commission I also offer a free extra gift if a party for 8 or more people is booked (the free gift is only given once the second party has been held)

I do a raffle and a quizz

I also provide a big bowl of punch (the raffle pays for the punch and free gift)

I start the evening by introducing myself and advise that all items are for sale on the night.

I find that I sell more at parties than at fairs.
and the best of all I have a great time whilst making money

[beadstudio]

Hi,
Have a look here

http://www.craft-selling-parties.com/index.html (http://www.craft-selling-parties.com/index.html)

If you ignore all the ads and selling, it has some really good info!;)

[youyours]

Thanks for all the advise. The party went well on saturday, had a great time, 12 women in the same room all drinking wine, the sound level was high :)

All but one bought some something, I had one raffle and also let them choose between two charities that I am gonna some of the money to.

Gonna plan the next one in about two months I think.


--Helen

[Anne]

Hi,
Just been reading this post and some great comments. I am thinking of doing a jewellery party but don't feel that comfortable trying to sell to friends. They all wear jewellery so they must buy it from somewhere... so I'm trying to be a little braver about it!!

Great link beadstudio. I'm just on there now having a read up :p

[youyours]

Anne, just go for it, had a look at your site and you have lovely stuff.

I invited a few friends and had them invite people they know.
I normally get nervous with things like this, but I didn't really, must have been that glass of wine I had just before everybody showed up :)


--Helen

[Anne]

thanks for your comments Helen :D
I contacted some friends the other day and one of them come back to me interested in having a jewellery party, so I've got my first one booked for the 8th May !! Ahhhhh - scary! hehe

I'm actually quite excited about it now. I will probably be really nervous on the day. I love the suggestions about having a raffle, so I think I am going to do this. I was also going to get some pictures of me making my jewellery so people could flick through an album or something similar...