Websites - Good Thing???

[laura webb]

I have tried selling Jewellery at craft fairs and it has not been as successful as I'd anticipated. There's an awful lot of competition, however I'm reasonably confident about the quality and standard of my pieces in which I specialise in sterling silver.

Has anyone any other ideas of places that you can sell handmade jewellery? Mine is fairly mainstream, not hugely outside the box. Is a site also a good idea???

Where else can I sell my handmade jewellery???

[AlexandraBuckle]

I have a website with an online shop, though I find I sell more through other avenues.

I've not tried to push the website with online advertising which might work...?

I think of my website as my brochure, and customers do seem to like it when you say you have a website, but personally, I wouldn't recommend spending too much on a site initially. If you do it, keep it small and cheap to start with.

[noelsharpe]

Are your "leafy" designs etched? Would you care to share some techniques with us? I also love the flowers you use in the "blossom" pendants and rings. Is that hand pierced or have you made a die?

[AlexandraBuckle]

The leafy bits would be etched if I had the resources to do it, lol. Anyone know how to etch silver easily at home...? I have very limited space.
I did a lot of etching at uni, it was fun.

Instead i use a copper plate which I had scribed in a vieny pattern and put the plate and the silver throught the rolling mill to transfer the viens.

The flowers are all hand drawn and then pierced, so each one is slightly different which gives each piece and really individual feel.

Both the leafy and flower designs are very labour intensive, but hey - I enjoy doing it

[Dawny]

I'm not in the position to have my own site, however I know of a few designers etc who have gone on to good things via selling their designs online. Can also get good commissions through this channel. Don't disregard fairs etc, but websites can be extremely cost and time effective.

Plus sites don't have to cost the earth as long as they are functional. As I say I don't have my own YET but I am quite clued up on ecommerce websites - I've been reading lol, and spending lots online!

[Bee]

What about starting with something like Etsy? It's easy (and free) to set up a sellers account. Just make sure you tag your items well so that they can be found easily...