What’s going to be big? Fashion and jewelry experts say homemade jewelry will be one of the hottest trends over the next few years. And by homemade jewelry, they’re not referring to bits of uncooked macaroni covered in glitter and threaded with string. Homemade jewelry now refers to boutique costume jewelry offered by artisans working from the comfort of their homes.
Jewelry making is a fun hobby, but you can turn it into a profitable business. All you need to do is to leverage modern technology and build a great brand over the internet. If you want to start a homemade jewelry business online, here’s how you make it a success.
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Starting a Successful Homemade Jewelry Shop Online
According to experts, the number of online jewelry sales increased by over 14 percent between 2017 and 2018. Starting a jewelry business online seems to be the smart move, considering the restrictions imposed by the recent health crisis. But navigating the waters of e-commerce can be very tricky.
Here are a few core tips on how to make your online jewelry shop a hit.
Know how much you should be charging your customers for your unique and homemade products. The trick is to find the right balance between charging enough to make a profit and low enough to entice buyers. Start by cataloging how much you spend on materials for a single piece of jewelry. Once you have this number, multiply this by four. That should give you a nice enough cushion that you can sell your jewelry on online markets, who usually take a percentage of your sales. Don’t forget to take into account other losses such as packaging material or delivery fees, if you’re going to send your products a long way off.
Jewelry is all about looks. And as such, the product photos on your online shop have to correctly represent the vibe you’re going for with each piece. Take a look at each piece of homemade jewelry you’re offering and try to visualize which outfits they would look good with. Have a model wear them with that outfit, so your customers can clearly see the aesthetic you’re aiming for and that look they’re going to get. You can also find jewelry photo retouching services that can bring out the glamour in your product pictures and make them more appealing to the eye.
As a small enterprise, your first concern should be spreading the news that you’re open for business. Thankfully, you can now leverage multiple platforms to market your brand successfully.
Use the power of word of mouth through social media. Have customers use hashtags for your business and encourage them to mention you in their posts. Social media is also a powerful tool at your disposal. Post photos of your products with appropriate hashtags that draw in followers and buyers. Use paid advertising, which is more affordable on social media, to boost your presence even more.
Building a Homemade Jewelry Brand
No matter how efficient your marketing or online store is, you won’t be able to enjoy true success without building a great brand for your homemade jewelry.
The best way to make your brand stand out from the competition by showcasing your talent. If you’re great with beadwork, take photographs of the exquisite work you’ve done with the material. Working in your chosen medium is a surefire way to create astounding pieces and you’ve got no reason to hold back. Explore your artistic and technical talent through your jewelry making and you’re going to attract intrigued customers.
Part of the fun of buying homemade jewelry is the abundance of unique and personalized designs. Homemade jewelry makers employ their own sense of personal style when crafting their products. If you’re a particularly book-loving jewelry maker, you may fashion a necklace shaped like the Deathly Hallows symbol from Harry Potter. If you appreciate nature, perhaps you’d like to combine amber with rose-carved stones for a more earthy look.
Or you can offer truly customized jewelry, specifically made to suit your customer’s whimsy. This can be a great way to draw buyers who are looking for truly unique accessories.
Costume jewelry might be synonymous with inexpensive, but that shouldn’t mean cheap. Buy materials that are affordable for you and your customers, but make sure they’re durable and attractive. Use your expertise to determine which materials are worth their price tags and when to use more cost-effective alternatives. Finding this balance is essential in keeping your products affordable but beautiful.
In today’s economy, your jewelry making skills may be your ticket to financial security. Learning how best to leverage it could be your first step to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
