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We often only think 'craft or holiday fairs' for where we might sell, but here are a few other ideas!
WHERE TO SELL? 1. Certainly the craft and holiday fairs where you can get a booth. 2. Did you know that some Country Clubs have holiday events where they welcome public vendors? Check out holiday markets from nearby Country Clubs and see what you find. 3. Pop up art markets or art walks in your town or city. 4. Heck... check out towns and cities a couple hours away! Often mountain towns, resorts, ski lodges, etc will have jewelry shows. 5. Think about shows that are not related to jewelry but host craft booths, such as, some car shows are starting to add some handcraft booths also. 6. The local farmers market is also now hosting handcraft booths on the last weekend of every month...hmmm.? 7. Check out the City... they often have small holiday markets that are not that publicly advertised or listed, check out your NextDoor App and see what's up in your town and if you can sell anywhere. 8. And finally, are there any Gem and Mineral shows coming through that your booth might fit into? A good search engine to use for finding places to sell is https://festivalnet.com/
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 February isn't just about Valentine's Day and chilly breezes, it's also the month linked to the stunning gemstone, Amethyst!
Amethyst:
Have you seen Cupio? Check the Playlist! Ancient Origins:
So, there you have it! Whether you're a seasoned jewelry maker or just curious about the craft, these fun facts might spark your interest in the fascinating world of wire wrapped jewelry. Source Assistant: ai and google search IF YOU ARE SHOPPING rather than selling... You can catch some advice I shared on our September Membership Livestreams. I gave you shopping and education highlights from the show and I put the Short videos into a playlist if you're interested... https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRjvDtRZcW7uwlmo53JRDCim3Js49u2Jz&si=D7sk6rvdQsWL8S1_ WHEN I SHOP the Gemshow... 1. I wear very comfortable sneakers and socks. 2. I carry a large handbag with a zipper (or some type of bag to safely carry your gems).... and if you're really getting it on, bring a smaller roller suitcase! 3. I bring a pen and a small notebook for making notes about what a rock might be... or any other interesting thing I need to remember or to record any custom orders I might get while at the show... it happens sometimes. 4. I bring the amount of cash I want to stay on budget with. I bring the business credit card because I know I will go over the cash budget so I have a secondary CC budget... :D (know thyself). 5. I have a list of gemstones or crystals I am shopping for specifically, either for orders or for general inventory for my studio. I also have a list of regular Dealers I like to shop with and I gave you links and names in some of the September posts and show videos. 6. I BRING MY BUSINESS CARDS - the rock show has people who love their rocks... what better place for a wire wrapper to have her business cards handy! The gemshow, when you first walk in, depending on how large the show is... can be overwhelming. Most shows have a 'main desk' or 'registration' or 'front door'... there is usually a printed catalog showing where the dealers are located within the show.... I'd find that to start. Then you have an idea of how large the show is and what dealers are there. You can make your path through based on who you are shopping with or just in general. Most shows offer free parking but don't assume that. Most shows offer free attendance, but don't assume that either, might be good to factor in if you're on a budget. Make sure if you are attending a very large show, to bring water and make sure you know where to get food or bring some snacks. It can be a very large experience and sometimes we forget to replenish the body. Outstandingly fun when we stay feeling good, too! For my newest members... FIY... I have the greatest privilege to work for the Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show when it is here in Denver. The show travels through Texas as well as Tucson. Here is the website for the show so you can look up dates if you are nearby, you should go! Most of the Dealers I speak about in various videos are from this show. This show does have free attendance and free parking. This is where I shop twice a year... along with a few local and online shops (some dealers that are at this show also sell online). www.rmgmpromotions.com About the show!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sV_943chNM If you have questions, please feel free to ask me! Or please share any of your show experiences, be they as a shopper or a seller or both. These images are posted with the kind permission of the Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show Promoter and Owner.  After the show or material shopping... for those of you who are taking it from hobby to business, my practice is to photograph and catalog everything I've purchased during the show. It's good practice to make note right away, even though you might be exhausted, of who you buy from, what the material is, and any specific details about that material that you might want to use in your finished jewelry description. Also, make note of the price you paid and the retail value of the gemstone in today's market. This will help you later when it's wrapped and ready for selling. Many gemstones will come with the carrot weight, dimensions, and description of where it's from or what it is on the back of the box. If it does not, I will generally carry a small notebook so that I can make these notes. It's usually months later when I have finished jewelry from these pieces, and I may or may not remember these details. I photograph measurements and weights as this is an easier way to keep my inventory details without my rushed hand writing and notes to rely on later.  Q & A ... What Exactly is a SYNTHETIC GEMSTONE and should I use them in my sellable work?
Hi everyone! Here's a great question that we all ask ourselves when we move into working with Faceted Gems... we all know an 'Earth Grown' gemstone is always perceived as 'real' and 'valuable' ... but sometimes, we see the word 'synthetic' in a description of a gemstone and we wonder... WTHeck? Is it a 'fake' or a 'resin' thing? The great answer is NO, it's not! At the molecular level, a 'Man-made' gemstone, also known as a 'Lab-Grown' gemstone, is all the same as what Earth uses to make one. Like I shared in our Membership Livestream this past weekend, when we did the Box Channel set... I don't like using the word 'synthetic' when I describe these gemstones in my work if I'm using them. And I have no shame in using them either because they are beautiful! I prefer to use the words Lab-Grown or Human-Made vs Synthetic as the general public might get the wrong idea about the gem! Q... Then what do I call a gemstone that is not Lab or Earth grown or just a colored glass gemstone? A... Like CZs... these are called 'Simulated Gemstones' which means at the molecular level, it does NOT contain the same properties or structure as a Lab-Grown or Earth-Grown gemstone. It might just have the color of one, which is okay and beautiful too! Q... Should I disclose that the gems are Lab-Grown when I go to sell it? A... Always. You can always share the positive reasons why Lab-Grown stones are great too! There is a population of buyers who will prefer these over Earth-grown stones so there is no reason, not to disclose what they are... not to mention, it's simply ethical. Here is some 'googled' information to help you begin your research... Source: Internet searches but... here is more detailed info too... https://www.gia.edu/gem-synthetic "Gemstones are called 'synthetic' if they're created in a controlled lab environment, mimicking the chemical and physical properties of their Earth-Grown counterpart. This stands in contrast to natural gemstones, which are formed over millions of years under intense pressure and heat deep within the Earth. Here are some key reasons why some gemstones are called synthetic: 1. Controlled creation: Unlike natural stones, whose formation takes ages and is subject to chance, synthetic gemstones are created deliberately in labs using advanced techniques. This allows for consistent quality control and the creation of stones with specific characteristics, like desired colors or flawless clarity. 2. Chemical and physical similarity: While not always 100% identical, synthetic gemstones possess the same molecular structure and physical properties as their natural counterparts. This means they have the same brilliance, hardness, durability, and even inclusions under magnification in some cases. 3. Affordability and ethical concerns: Natural gemstones, especially rare and high-quality ones, can be incredibly expensive and their mining can raise ethical concerns due to environmental impact and potential labor issues. Synthetics offer a more affordable and readily available alternative, addressing both factors. 4. Transparency and disclosure: The term "synthetic" is not used to deceive. It's meant to be transparent and inform buyers that the stone was created in a lab, not mined from the Earth. Responsible sellers will always disclose the origin of their gemstones explicitly. It's important to note that not all "synthetic" gems are the same. Some terms you might encounter include: Lab-grown: More neutral than "synthetic," emphasizing the controlled environment. Man-made: Similar to "lab-grown," but focuses on the human intervention. Created: Broad term encompassing both synthetic and simulated gemstones. Simulated: Refers to stones that only resemble natural ones in appearance but lack their chemical and physical identity (e.g., cubic zirconia). Remember, the value of a gemstone, whether natural or synthetic, depends on various factors like its beauty, rarity, and craftsmanship. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference. I will add, that when you are selling your wire wrapped, wearable Artwork... remember that anything you put inside that wire, is a beautiful item because YOUR artwork, is surrounding it! If we love our own Art, then there are buyers waiting to love it with us! Lab-grown or man-made does not always mean inexpensive, either, but rather more affordable. I hope this helps you along your journey into wire-wrapped and wire-woven, handmade jewelry! Much love! Now go make something beautiful! |
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May 2024
AuthorA Perfectly Twisted Artist |
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