Yes - definitely keep a mirror on your table. I did my first show last fall, and had one, and people really used it.

Good tips everyone! I am hoping to get into my first craft fair at the end of march! I usually do parties and online only. This year I am branching out and trying craft fairs. It is difficult when I stay at home with a 5 and 3 yr old



Really excited! Lots of great ideas here keep them coming ladies!!!

I have been selling jewelry for 5 years now--I was a school counselor and worked in 3 schools--let me tell u that teachers, secretaries, lunch ladies, teacher aids and administration are the best customers--
I did a number of jewelry parties for the 1st 2 years, by the 3rd year that slowed down so I started to do local craft fairs and holiday fairs--i do from 20-25 fairs a year--i love them because you get to meet the most interesting pple and u get to promote your jewels in the flesh--I sell alot--my set up is one of the nicest at any fair--there are always a # of other jewelry vendors at fairs--I have a 6 foot table that is covered in black micro fiber material--my husband made me a long narrow box that hos an opening--i keep it across the back of the table, drape it with a fringed long rectangular shawl--in the box opening i keep my tools, receipt book, and little stuff i need for the fair--The box is like a raised platform and I keep my special sign with my logo on it--necklace busts & sometimes an earring rack--i like the elevated look--also I have this plexi glass little staircase, this enables me to have my necklace bust on different levels-
gives me more room with less clutter!
Definitely less is better--replace as things get sold--have a mirror available with alchol wipes or any kind of wipes so if someone wants to try on earrings they can and u can clean them afterwards--have business cards disjplayed in a nice box or whatever holder u can find--also have flyers to give out to advertise your on line stores and that you do jewelry parties--
Think of some gift with every purchase--i give earrings away--u always have those few xtra beads around so whip up a bunch of small hanging or whatever earrings you can make--pple love to get something for free--Advertise your small giveaway on the table--
It's funny I do so well at the fairs that i decided to start selling on line--my first shop was opened on Etsy at the end of Aug--the sales i made since then is far less than i sell at a fair in one day--who knew so many pple made and sold jewelry
well i talk too much--hope i helped a tad--if u have any questions just ask me--i'm always happy to help--
btw, Jewelbox.com has a fabulous supply of displays at reasonable prices--also Nilecorp.com--
good luck!!! ta, ta margo

I did have a very good holiday jewelry party,thank goodness. But I have found my craft shows have been a bit slow. I am going to do some this year to promote my Etsy shop, any helpful advice to make them better?
Thanks Lisa Scala

Margo you are very fortunate to be in an area where there are so many craft fairs. Unfortunately Las Vegas doesn't have that many and then there are a few that are juried and VERY difficult to get into and then if you do they are VERY costly for the booth. The only one I have done was organized through the LBS I go to and since it was their first one there was not a lot of traffic and of course 90% jewelry people. The Southern Nevada Center for the Arts just opened and they are supposed to have a shop where local artists can display their wares on consignment so I will hopefully have that soon.

pictures from the party:

It will get better Teresa! Hang in there! You always have such nice clean setups for your shows! I am always impressed with the pics you send of your shows!

Teresa, great set-up for the party, shame only 2 people showed up after all that work. Better than no one showing up I suppose...lol. Now that would be my luck!

Despite my very slow sales on etsy, I am excited about an upcoming show in the beginning of May. I did this show last fall and had GREAT results. One positive thing my etsy store did bring me this week was an invitation to do another show in my area. I am not sure I will be able to do it, but it was flattering to receive the invitation. I will have to gauge if I have enough time to get more inventory done for two shows while fulfilling all my other obligations.

How much inventory does everyone have usually for Jewelry Parties?

Good luck Teresa!

Dawn