December 2, 2011 | Author Kathleen
We could write a whole book on jewelry photography and perhaps we will have one completed as we work on this blog! If you’ve tried photographing your jewelry, you undoubtedly have figured out how hard it is. Glare off shiny surfaces, trouble getting a good close up with detail, and the problem of photographing specs of dust if you do get close enough are just a few of the difficulties you’ve no doubt encountered. In thinking about how to present this topic, we’ve decided to just jump in, starting with the basics in this post and getting more detailed as we go along.
Good photographs are the most important tool in your marketing toolbox. You will use them for print pieces like your business cards or postcards and you will use them on your website and emails to promote your jewelry. You can pay someone else to take photos for you but this will quickly become cumbersome and expensive. You don’t want to be waiting around for someone else to get your photos done when you need them for your website or a marketing email. Read the rest of this entry »
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October 20, 2011 | Author Kathleen
So you’ve chosen a name and set up your business structure and now you’re ready to get down to the nuts and bolts. There is so much to do! Plan the first items you will sell, photograph them, have business cards and marketing postcards printed . . . but first . . . start building your email list.
Email and social networking will be your first and most important marketing tools. Imagine you enter a show . . . or launch a website . . . or design a new piece of jewelry . . . these are all events you can promote via email marketing and social networking (like Facebook and Twitter). Read the rest of this entry »
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September 22, 2011 | Author Kathleen
Money
Setting up your Handmade Jewelry Business Legally
First a disclaimer. I am not an attorney. I do not speak legalize. I only know what I’ve had to do for my business here in Arizona to create a legal structure, pay my taxes, and not get into trouble. I had an attorney and an accountant help me. You should too. Here are some things to ask about: Read the rest of this entry »
August 19, 2011 | Author Kathleen
So you’re thinking of selling your hand-crafted art jewelry? Your friends have been commenting on how cute your jewelry is and have even asked you to make a piece or two for them. Maybe they’ve already started buying jewelry from you to give as gifts.
You’ve started thinking “hmmmm . . .maybe I can make some money at this.” The first question is do you just want to support your hobby or are you thinking of this venture in terms of a job? If you’re thinking job, this blog is for you. Because make no mistake about it. It will be a job. It might be a job you enjoy. But there will surely be parts of it you don’t enjoy. The good news is lots of the tasks described here can be done in your pajamas. But it will be a job you will need to do day in and day out — even when you don’t feel like it and even when things aren’t going well.
If you’re thinking “hobby,” then this blog might be for you too. There are lots of tips and pointers you might find helpful. Read the rest of this entry »