Need ideas for Open House please

[DanelleHenk]

Morning all,

I am having my first Open House show/sale for my beads and jewelry tomorrow. Up until now I have been selling at a local boutique and by appointment only. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this fun and, of course, profitable? I am waaaaaay behind, I am still making beads at this point. What kind of discounts do you offer, if any. Do you have door prizes-and if so, how do you determine who wins as it is a come and go as you please typoe of thing. I would appreciate any helpful hints that you can give me.

Thanks so much,
danelle

[Carolyn M]

The following are some ideas I've used and seen at other events:

- Draw prizes. People fill in their name, address, phone number and email address. I also ask them if they would like to be emailed with new 'specials'. I've made lots of sales this way.

- I've made a display of the sequence of making a bead with photographs, glass rods, half finished beads on a mandrel etc etc so people realise the amount of work that goes into each bead.

- I've sometimes put together 'jewellery kits' for people to make their own necklaces and bracelets. Saves me time when I can't get stuff put together.

- have music playing and offer refreshments. Up here I've offered hot apple cider and squares.

- Put up a sign saying 'please feel free to touch and try on' Some people seem reluctant to do this.

- Make sure you have bright lighting on your beads and jewelry.

- Have a loose beads bowl or container. People love picking through mine

Carolyn

[Curly Irish Girl]

I save all my wonkies and put them in a bowl labled - For The Young & Young At Heart....feel free to take up to 5 of your choice

They absolutely LOVE the free part and usually buy a couple of items after they pick out their wonkies....

[Jenn L'Rhe]

Sorry I'm reading this a little behind the time, yesterday was a big shopping spree with my 17 YO DD. Too exhausted when we returned to even log on.

I went to a "franchise" home jewelry show. Something cool that this demonstrator did was have each person choose a piece to wear around while they introduced themself to others. You were to walk up to people and say "Hi, my name is ________. I know (the hostess) from ___________. Don't you just love this (show them the piece of jewelry you selected) and then tell why you picked it." Usually people picked out something that matched what they were wearing. Since they had found something to match something they already owned....they usually bought that piece and many others. This also made the person on the listening side of the conversation think....I have a red blouse that bracelet would look great with too. Were there earrings to match that necklace? etc.
It also made you look at things that you would normally look over and see them through someone else's eyes. It was a lot of fun too. This worked well with the mass produced stuff. But could also work if you make pieces that can be somewhat duplicated or if your displays are set up by color families.

I have only done a couple of craft type shows. People usually bought when they realized they were purchasing art. But you have the others that say I would never pay THAT for a pair of earrings let alone a bracelet. Some easy display ideas: upside down butter and cool whip bowls grouped and covered with festive fabric napkins, small metal dishes filled with rice (for Christmas I spray painted it silver and gold) perfect for a bracelet and matching earrings. I display earrings on business cards turned sideways printed with my logo on the top and phone number on the bottom. It makes them stand up and be seen.

Let us know how it went. It would be wonderful to not have to haul all the stuff for the displays to somewhere set them up and then tear them down after you have had to deal with the "$20 for a pair of earrings!!! people.
Kay

[glassact]

I am getting known for my excellent wine and cheese platters - people relax and talk while they try things on
make sure you have plenty of mirrors, and plenty of space for people to move around the pieces
i had two friends helping me - one to take the money and reciepts, the other making up pieces on the spot, adjusting etc - it worked out really well
people who know you well tend to want your beads - stand outs, while those who don't are more inclined to choose jewellrey for jewellry's sake, so the on the spot make up option was really great
it also meant you could sell a single bead made on a piece of leather for a good price as people could see it was made just for them
i have also given a demonstration on the torch which most people were impressed with - they just don't know how much work goes into it! once they do, they start appreciating the cost and effort
most of all, have fun and good luck!

[glassgypsy]

I've been doing open studio shows twice a year for the past few years and tend to do them on a weekend afternoon. I've been fusing for 10+ years so my pieces are relatively big -- this will be the first year for smalls like beads and jewelry.

One thing I would highly recommend is having someone you trust to act as your cashier and a couple of helpers to assist with food, drinks, showing the beads. If possible make yourself as free as feasible to answer questions; demonstrate the process; offer suggestions; etc. People really like to interact with the artist and you'll make more sales if you can do it without distractions (like collecting $$$, wrapping the goods, etc.) I also do a drawing that allows me to collect names and email addresses that I use for advertising purposes. Last year I had over 200 people show up over a 3-hour period and it was crazy! But I made a lot of $$$ and my helpers were thrilled with the gifts I bestowed upon them. I'll be doing another show the weekend after Thanksgiving -- I find the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas to be the best for sales as everyone wants to get a jump on their holiday shopping.

As for discounts I generally don't do it since I tend to sell everything at greatly reduced prices. In fact I name my shows -- last year it was "Cheap Bastards Clearance Show" -- made over $5000 in an afternoon and got rid of a ton of stuff!!! This year will probably be my "Beat the Mobs or Almost Free" show....my guests are always encouraged to bring a friend and that friend gets added to the list for future shows.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!