I am very excited to show you what Jeannie has sent me this month!
Look Look Look!
I have been wanting something in mustard for a while and and she made me the OOAK set!!! How cool is that! I even went out and found a mustard shirt to match it!
I also have a blog hop coming with Lisa formally of Pine Ridge Treasures, Her new blog is A Grateful Artist. It is her Bead Table Blog hop. This is the kit I received from her.
This will be a challenge for sure but a fun one I hope!
I do have a couple of things also going on but this is where I have a slight issue. I don't know whether it is the cold or what that has me filled with self doubt. You all are so sweet and supportive and encouraging and for that I am so grateful. I know this too will pass but I am just not sure how to pull myself out of it yet. I am trying to branch out into selling and I am so excited to tell you that I have sold a necklace that I will reveal when I post the book review. But then yesterday I attempted to put out a bunch of bead sets since people have been asking for them and although I did sell one set I got a bit discouraged. Is this how it starts when you venture into this part of making jewelry? And pricing is soooooooo hard for me. I want to sell at a fair market price but then I also want those that really love a piece to have it and well sometimes fair market price is out of many of our reach. What to do? Sorry for my self pity babble. I know things could be much worse and that this is petty but it is in my brain and I needed to get it out! LOL
Hugs and Blessings
KK
You'll never stop dealing with this issue. There are a million things that go into pricing and a million different ways to calculate what you are truly owed for your time and effort. Half the selling is branding and photography and description. It's been almost six months since I've sold actual jewelry and part of me could get discouraged, or part of me could just keep chugging along knowing that the lull has actually been a blessing because I've been so busy the past few months that the post office is the last place I need to be! Keep working at making yourself a 'brand' and narrowing down the breadth of your work to something that you know people will love. You'll get there. It may take a while, but you'll get there!
ReplyDeleteMarcie is right my friend. Just concentrate on what you love about making jewelry, and the rest will sort itself out. You have a true talent with beads and design. Love you my friend!
ReplyDeleteOK, I WANT that set from Jeannie! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI can not speak from experience as far as sell through an on-line store, because I have not got that brave to open one yet. Marcie and Shirley gave you good advise. I have the same problem with pricing, but I found if one really likes the piece and has the money they will buy it. But then you will have those that see the piece and rant and rave about how beautiful it is and then they find out the price and say well I can not afford that. This happens to everyone I have found out. Please do not be discouraged hang in there, you are a fantastic bead weaver and your pieces are gorgeous and the more you are exposed the more you will get sales.
Love and Hugs to you my friend!
Therese
Kristen, I can't speak from experience, because I don't sell. Part of why I don't is because of the pricing and because I really am not good at marketing myself. But, keep plugging along. It'll happen if you want it to. And, Therese is right, people will rave about your work, but when they hear the price they back away. That I have had happen to me, both with jewelry and wearables. But, everyone has down times, you'll come out of this and some say the down times make you stronger! So, hang in there!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, don't get discouraged, hon!! You sold a necklace which is fabulous, and look at being invited to participate in the art blog, too! You have set yourself up for a hard one right off the bat, because most beaders LOVE to make beaded beads, just like you do, so they're harder to sell than the finished jewelry because beaders naturally want to make their own. But that doesn't mean that they aren't gorgeous or that someone won't want to buy them - it just means the right person hasn't seen them yet!!
ReplyDeleteChin up and smile!! And feel better quick, too!!! :)
I can't WAIT to see what you make. You must model it with your new shirt.
ReplyDeleteHoney, I think pricing is a personal thing. Go with your gut.
xo
Thnaks for mentioning the upcoming blog hop. I agree with the advice posted above. Try to not get discouraged. All of us deal with these issues on an ongoing basis. I struggle all the time with pricing. I am still trying to "brand" myself. What I have seen of your work is very beautiful.
ReplyDelete