How To Ruin Your Beadwork Sales

Here's How:

1. Use Cheap Findings and Supplies.
   While you may think of findings as a "hidden" item; something that one will see or, if they do see, won't pay attention to, they are not. Cheap findings almost instantly lower the quality of your beadwork. Use good quality findings when you make beaded jewelry and you'll see the difference immediately.
   
   
2. Use the Wrong Thread.
   Thread is not just thread. Using the wrong type or color of thread can change the color of transparent beads, be noticed at the edges of your beadwork and show between beads if there are slight gaps in the work. Take the time to check your thread choice to make sure it matches or blends well with all the colors in your beading project.
   
   
3. Use Cheap Seed Beads.
   There are no bad beads, only good beads and not-so-good beads that can lend interesting texture or sizing to certain projects. If you are beading a project with seed beads, take care to cull your beads carefully as you work. It's true that odd-shaped beads can be used to make increases and decreases less noticeable, but using uneven beads without culling can make a project look sloppy, out of shape and unprofessional.
   
   
4. Skimp on Crystal Quality.
   Using inexpensive "crystal" beads made of plain glass shaped like a Swarovski bicone or other shape can turn an otherwise very sellable finished piece into unsold inventory. Use the best crystal you can afford and make your beading sparkle with life. Some designs can be made with smaller sizes or fewer pieces of crystal if you're really on a budget. Be sure to look for reputable Swarovski sellers when you buy your beads.
   
   
5. Use Inexpensive, Imported Lampwork Beads.
   The temptation is great, but resist! Some of the inexpensive lampwork sold on auction sites look beautiful in the pictures but are decidedly low quality in person. Many of these imported beads have chipped holes that will cut or abrade thread or wire, are cracked, have chipped surface designs and contain internal stresses (due to rapid cooling) that will cause breakage. Buy your lampwork from a reputable lampwork bead seller.
   
   
6. Use Inferior Technique.
   Of course we all make mistakes. Wrong thread tension, missed beads, uneven rows, thread gaps, bad crimps happen occasionally, but beading with these flaws should not be offered for sale. Check and double-check the quality of your finished beading before you place it in your inventory. Don't offer damaged or inferior items for sale, even at a discount, as this may give you a reputation as a seller of inferior products. Instead, pull these items apart and reuse the beads.
   
   
7. Pay No Attention to Design.
   When you bead, pay close attention to the colors, textures, shades and shape of the beads you use. I've seen absolutely gorgeous beaded necklaces made with a few inexpensive beads designed in such a way as to make the necklace and the wearer glow. I've also seen an utter horror made with silver, Swarovski and a few other nice beads. Use a bead board to lay out your design before you string and check the design twice before you cut wire & crimp.
   
   
8. Ignore Current Fashion or Style.
   Don't be a slave to fashion. However, if you sell or gift with your beadwork, it helps to keep an eye on what is in the magazines and what is being worn on the street. This does not mean you should copy other people's work bead for bead, but it does mean that keeping an eye towards current shapes, style, colors, texture, surface treatments and scale can help make your beadwork look fresh and current and will help it sell.
   
   
9. Don't Consider your Customers.
   If you are a beadwork artist rather than a beaded jewelry maker, remember to pack a few wearable, reasonably-priced pieces for the more casual shopper. Occasionally one of these shoppers will return or get in touch later to arrange a custom order or to buy an art piece. So don't rule out the lower-budget shopper, even at a fine art show or sale, unless the show rules strictly preclude any lower price range or wearable items.
   
   
10. Toss the Beadwork Onto the Table When You Set Up.
    I've seen bead and beadwork sellers just toss their beading onto a display table and call it a day. This is fine at a garage sale, maybe, but not if I'm going to buy something nice to wear or to give as a gift. Take a few minutes to lay out a nice display. Make the beadwork accessible but not easy to shoplift. An appealing display makes its own sales and takeing care with the arrangements helps cut down on damaged or broken pieces, too.
    
    
11. Throw your Customer's Purchase Into a Bag.
    Don't toss the beading you just sold into a bag and drop it on the counter in front of the customer. Take some time with your packaging, even if it was a small sale. Use tiny boxes, cotton, custom earring cards and other "little touches" that are available from bead suppliers. Wrap the beadwork with tissue paper, use bags with your name and logo and add a business card to turn a simple purchase into a lovely package. It makes a terrific impression.
    
    
12. Re-Pack your Inventory Carelessly.
    Don't just slam your unsold inventory into boxes or bags at the end of a show. This causes problems with tangling, bending, scratched beadwork, broken beads and shop-worn merchandise for your next show and shows a lack of respect for your own work. Do take the time to package up your beadwork safely and securely, wrapping items and keeping tangles to a minimum. Unpacking at your next show will be easier and you'll have less loss due to damage.
    
    
13. Be Really Rude to your Customers
    If a potential customer asks "how did you make this", scowl and say "with my hands" and watch your sales stop! If you'd rather make sales and a good impression, be polite and answer basic questions. Nothing travels faster than stories of rude or condescending sellers. Don't give away everything, of course. You don't have to share names of suppliers or give instructions for a special technique you've used, but if you decline a request for information, be polite.
    
    

Tips:

1. Use quality findings, media, beads and other beading products. Even if the finsing is one that a buyer will never see, quality products will make your beading last longer and wear better. Don't use inferior products!
2. Make a nice, approachable display of your beading items. Use an attractive cloth and scatter some glitter or metallic confetti to add some eye-catching shimmer. Spray paint a sturdy but lacy-looking small tree branch to hang necklaces and bracelets. Use sumptuous fabrics and add a bit of luxury to the overall display. Invest in good lighting and have a nice mirror handy. Wrap the sold items up in tissue and use small, attractive boxes if you can.
3. Know what you are selling and be prepared to answer basic questions about the beads and the beading for shoppers. Have a light but firm response rehearsed to deflect questions about suppliers and details that you do not wish to share. Refer shoppers to the Internet if they want to follow up with finding suppliers.
4. Take a simple project with you to work on during slow times. You may find that you draw a crowd while beading and can answer questions. You might even make a few sales, just by showing what you do.
5. Pack a selection of pearls, Swarovski crystals, stones and other beads to create custom pieces on the spot if you think you will have time to do so. Give customers a choice of 2-3 different pearl types, crystal colors, accent beads and metal colors and make them a basic single strand bracelet while they wait. Be sure to have Swarovski colors that correspond to birthstone colors and offer to make custom "mother's bracelets" with birthstone colors for each of her children.

What You Need:

• Beaded Inventory
• Display foundations such as a bust figure, an earring rack, a tree branch,
• Tables, lighting, cash to make change, credit card machine, etc.
• A comfortable chair, comfortable shoes, a light jacket, food, drinks, snacks.
• Beads to make custom pieces on the spot.
• A few interesting display pieces.
• A sign for your booth and lots of business cards.
• Air freshener (trust me), fabrics fresheners, glass cleaner in small containers.
• Photographs of sold items you are especially proud of.