BUSINESS: Alternative Ways to Sell ~ Organising & Running Home Jewellery Parties

If you're a jewellery designer-maker considering running your own home jewellery parties but don't know how to go about it, then today's article is for you! Yvonne Anderson-Bassey of Fine Beaded Jewellery shares her simple and clear steps to throwing a successful event at home.

Love for jewellery and organising parties are two of the most important skills required! I have really enjoyed the jewellery parties I have organised, as I have a passion for jewellery, colour and style. I have found that keeping the next few key points in mind help create a successful home jewellery party. 

Make it entertaining: It's important to remember that it's a social occasion, as well as an opportunity to showcase your jewellery and make sales. Be a friendly host/hostess as not everyone will know each other; make it a relaxed atmosphere whilst keeping it professional. This should include making proper introductions and making sure everyone is comfortable.

Invitations: Ensure you invite a lot of people because it is quite likely that not everybody you invite will be able to attend as circumstances can often change, leading to cancellations which may leave you feeling disheartened by low attendance. However, do make sure you are able to accommodate everyone if they do all attend! Take the time to investigate who your potential customers are and who will be interested in your jewellery, for example, gift/boutique shops, florists, hairdressers; they may consider displaying your jewellery in their shops.

Give people plenty of notice as calendars get booked up quickly. It is usually best to avoid school holidays as a lot of people are away, although there are also people who are looking for something different to do. Let people know they can bring friends (more potential customers). It is a lovely idea to let people know that they will receive a goodie bag or small gift as a token of your appreciation for them coming to your party. Mention this in your invitation as it is a good incentive to come to the party.

Refreshments: It's a good idea to have some refreshments available. Offer soft drinks as well as beverages such as beer, wine or even champagne because some of your visitors may be driving. What you offer may also be dictated by the time of day you hold your jewellery party, for example, alcoholic drinks may be more appropriate for an evening event. It's also a good idea to offer some small bite sized light foods such as crisps and canapés. These small offerings of food and drink help to create a relaxed, sociable atmosphere and also give people something to do when they first arrive and may not know anyone else there.

Display and presentation: Presentation of the jewellery is very important as you need to make sure it is all easily accessible for people to see and pick up. Use a large table with a clean ironed white tablecloth, make it look as up-market and professional as you can (even though you are at home!). Have some of your jewellery in order of colour, but also have a section that is mixed as people do like to dig around and often find something they like which they wouldn’t have ordinarily chosen straight away.

Display some of the names of the gemstones or materials you have used. Use necklace busts for some your necklaces to give people an idea of how it will look when worn and also an idea of length. Make sure all your items are clearly priced, so people don’t have to ask how much they cost.

Price your jewellery properly right from the outset when you start your business; you know what you have paid for the materials and the time it has taken you to make it so ensure this is reflected in the price. This is important to ensure you can continue sales going forward and establish a successful business. Don’t forget that people will be buying something that is totally unique.

Place a few mirrors around, so that people can see themselves properly when trying jewellery on, this way nobody needs to wait to use the mirror and you won't lose a sale! It's a good idea to offer attractive jewellery bags or boxes and gift wrapping if appropriate, for example if the purchase is a gift for someone.

Client contact list: Have a contact list at the party for everyone to write down their details so you are able to contact them for future parties. Although you will already have your guests’ details on your database, some of them will have brought friends and colleagues and you will need to get their details too. Let everyone know you will be having another party and that they will all be invited.

Business cards: Have your business cards available to take away but also put them in your goodie bags just in case you don’t get a chance to give them out to everyone.

Float: Make sure you have a lot of change so you don’t miss out on a sale. It is a good idea to state on your invitation how you accept payment so that people know how they can pay in advance (cash, cheque etc). Also be ready to tell people where the nearest cash point is located!

Feedback: At the end of the party, after everyone has gone, try and write down all the comments you can remember and requests people have made before you forget them. It is very important to remember what your customers like and if you haven’t got something this time round, you can make sure you have it for the next party.

For more information about Yvonne and her jewellery visit: http://www.finebeadedjewellery.co.uk/

Images courtesy of Menno Stassen