Tuesday, May 5, 2009

A Small Business Attempt...

A few years ago, I took up jewelry-making as a hobby. I've done a few craft fairs, but mostly just made jewelry for friends & family. Well, I've been thinking of doing this for a long time, and I've finally decided to do it. I've set up a blog for the selling of my jewelry. I haven't decided exactly how I'm going to go about the ordering/buying system, but in a few weeks when I have everything figured out, I will start putting pieces up for sale.I am not taking personal orders...my reasoning: I have the rare & wonderful opportunity to be a stay-at-home-mom. I enjoy making jewelry...but I enjoy spending time with my children more. I want to do jewelry making on my time, at my pace. And I know some people can be very specific about what they want, and I don't want to spend my days online, looking for that exact color, gemsone, etc. Another reason is, as styles change throughout the seasons, so do the beads & pendants...therefore, a lot of my necklaces are a one time offer. I may only be able to get certain beads for so long. So when I post Pictures of my jewelry, I will let you know how many I have available. When they are gone...they are gone. If a certain piece sells well, and the materials are still available to order, I will try to make more. The good thing about this though, is you can wear your jewelry knowing you most likely won't run into someone else with the same exact neclace on!! You'll have a one-of-a-kind piece on! I Very much enjoy making jewelry & making new creations! If anyone has any styles, colors, ideas, etc., that you think would sell well, let me know! I have just a few sneek peek pictures up on this new blog if you would like to check them out....jewelrybyelise.blogspot.com

9 comments:

allred family said...

do you make them small enuf or a baby braclet I have been looking for some for when I have my little girl

Chris and Dianne Clan said...

MuuAhahaha (that is my wicked laugh:). I have a very, very bad addiction to jewelry and I WILL be visiting your website!

Chris and Dianne Clan said...

Sorry to keep posting, but do you want me to forward your jewelry blog to some of my friends? I have LOTS of friends that share in my jewelry addiction. I just checked out your blog and you have some really cute things and I'm sure they'd like to take a peek.

Just a thought...let me know.

Chris and Dianne Clan said...

I will give the shipping thing more thought, but I do have a couple of ideas. I'd charge a flat rate for shipping for example you could make a box that shows how much shipping will be according to the dollar amount they spend.
for example (you'd have to check with the USPS, FedEX and UPS to get their rates--they are just guesses):
$25 will be $5
$50 will be $7.99
Maybe for orders over $75 you could throw in an incentive for free shipping.
Do you know a web developer? They could make a "checkout" page for you on your blog that can forward out a receipt to the customer.
I don't know much about the selling end of things. I've never been a seller on Ebay (just a buyer:) and their system does it all for you. Maybe you could just use EBAY to sell your stuff.
One more thing, I would use PAYPAL or something like that.
I don't know if that's very helpful.

SarahC said...

I checked out the blog & I love everything you have posted so far! One of the items in particular would match a church outfit I have right now. So I will for sure be checking in waiting for you to get things started! You are so talented!

Rob & Autum said...

Your jewelry is so cute. I am excited to buy some when you are up and running!

I was reading the comments above. You could look on etsy.com to get some ideas of how people sell their things there. My cousin is also starting to make jewelry and she has an etsy site. Just go to my blog under the family section and her name is Kristina. It is on the top of her page. Sorry for such a long comment:)

Kara said...

How Cute!!!! I love the jewelery you make! I will definately be making a purchase. How long does it take to make a necklace? Do you make matching earing sets?

tikichikadee said...

You'll be bathing in bills before long, sis! I am so excited for you! Way to be adeventurous!
GO ELISE!
GO ELISE!

Mower Family said...

What were you doing coming to Payson right by our house and not visiting! JK. I know we were gone for a bit probably when you came by. I will get you my number, I will just get yours again from Steph because my old phone died and I still don't have a lot of phone numbers that were in my old one. I will call you. I second the hanging out. Let's do it! Love the jewelry and I need to get some!