Selling 2009

[mirkaba]

I have only done 2 craft shows and a flea market this year. I have sold for a combined total of just under 800.00. Sold mostly rock, slabs and cabs with a little jewelry thrown in. I was pretty disappointed in the flea market as it was the only time I have ever been skunked. Also I just re-stocked the rotating display at the local steak house and have included a couple photos.I am looking for a place to put another case/display as it seems to do pretty well.............Bob

[Taogem]

I absolutely love the rotating display ... I know of a couple stores here in Newport that would let me add something like that with jewelry in it..

800.00 sounds pretty darn good !

[mirkaba]

Thanks George. I think 800.00 is good. The case has only generated about 450.00 so far this year but has done much better in the past. You are not so far from CdA and a lot of tourist money goes through there. It would be a great place to sell Idaho stone  jewelry. It seems that people like the "area specific" stones. Montana Agate has  been by far my best seller this year. I have found one of those legendary stashes of "BARRELS" of Montana and am dealing on some of it now. We might have to go to the bank!!! At the moment the people are considering 500.00 lots with an option on the rest. I hope it works. I think I will start working more Montana, Jade and of course Opal as they seem to be my best sellers........Bob

[Willy]

Very interesting Bob, I really like those rotating displays.  We had displays in some of the local Postal and UPS Stores for a while, but finally pulled them when the store managers decided they wanted a monthly fee for them sitting there.  In 6 months probably sold a total of $200 in items.  Pretty poor really, and not good at all once they wanted the fees.   Did similar with a local Botique, and did quite well, but the owner dropped us after 6 weeks because more of the wife's jewelry was selling than her own.  So it is back to the main Fall shows and the internet for the rest of this year.  Hopefully will get the bugs out of the new design web-site quickly, and can get it up and running.  Was shooting for Aug 1st, but didn't make that and now hopefully can make the 15th.

Willy

[mirkaba]

Thanks Willy.................Good Luck with the internet site. I hope to have mine going by November. I want to keep the shopping cart as simple as possible. I will sell more of the cabs and slabs than jewelry for now. As I said I think I will sell mostly Montana Agate and Jade with a little designer Opal thrown in. There is a new bead and jewelry supply store in Helena But I cannot convince them that quality cabs sell for more than 5.00 a pop. I cannot make out doing 5.00 cabs even with run of the mill rock.  Generic cabs are OK for beginners practice but where do they go from there? DeeAnn was doing great with my cabs in her wire wraps but I have yet to get her back on track. So I am still plodding along with my silver smithing. I like the prong settings for the more individual cabs as they are relatively inexpensive and I have the making down. I am still in a bit of a quandry over the chains/cords. But am sure I can work it out....Bob

[Bluesssman]

Bob, would you share how you do your prong settings for cabs?


Gary

[mirkaba]

Gary........ I am sorry but it is a trade secret. So No!



No.....of course I will. It is pretty easy. An equivalant setting in the catalogs is 12.00 to 20.00. The beauty of these are you can make them fit any size or shape of cab. I will get my stuff together and get some pictures.........Bob