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Do You — or Don’t You: Do You Take Part in Art and Craft Markets as Either a Buyer or Seller?

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Do You — or Don’t You: Do You Take Part in Art and Craft Markets as Either a Buyer or Seller?

Do You — or Don’t You: Do you take part in art and craft markets as either a buyer or seller?

BY INSTORE TEAM

Do You — or Don’t You: Do You Take Part in Art and Craft Markets as Either a Buyer or Seller?

Published in the January 2013 issue

15% YES, I HAVE
 

I shop for up-and-coming artisans. — Michael Cook, Walter J. Cook Jeweler, Paoli, PA

We went to the Philadelphia Buyers Market and the Global Design Show and had a great buying trip. We saw some regulars and also picked up quite a few new jewelry artists. — Leslie Lawrence, FireWorks Gallery, Halifax, NS

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We’ve found that one or two of the jewelry designers we sell are selling at these shows at the same pricing they give us, which we consider to be unfair. It’s definitely not the best situation, but the shows are a great place to find emerging talent and catalysts for new trends. — Andrea Riso, Talisman Collection, Folsom, CA

Love them! The creative part of the jewelry business is what I adore. Craft markets show things with a lot of fresh ideas and innovative styles. — Susan Eisen, Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry & Watches, El Paso, TX

We do a lot of custom so I need to see what’s out there. — Marta Jones-Couch, Elements, Des Moines, IA

We always do a raffle so we can get the e-mails of people in attendance. We like to follow up with an email with a promo code for free shipping with an Etsy purchase, or something along those lines. We love to network with the other vendors, because in the handmade market, other crafters can sometimes be your best customers. — Sarah Ragsdale, David Douglas Designs, Marietta, GA

85% NO, I HAVEN’T

Our downtown just had a big one, and we closed for it! Sometimes we try to participate, but it usually proves to be not worth our while. Those craft festivals tend to bring out bottom-feeders, and our regular customers can’t get to us because of street closures and parking complications. — Jennifer Hornik Johnson, Jae’s Jewelers, Coral Gables, FL

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The set-up and tear-down, the travel and the overhead just got to be stupid-expensive for us as vendors. As a buyer, they make me want to buy a beer, chug it, and slice my wrists with the bottle. Glass sold as stones, plate sold as sterling — just too disheartening. — Erin McMichael Hess, Accents, Colorado Springs, CO

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After 139 Years, A Family Legacy Finds Its Perfect Exit With Wilkerson.

When third-generation jeweler Sam Sipe and his wife Laura decided to close Indianapolis’ historic J.C. Sipe Jewelers, they turned to Wilkerson to handle their retirement sale. “The conditions were right,” Sam explains of their decision to close the 139-year-old business. Wilkerson managed the entire going-out-of-business sale process, from marketing strategy to sales floor operations. “Our goal was to convert our paid inventory into retirement funds,” notes Sam. “The results exceeded expectations.” The Sipes’ advice for jewelers considering retirement? “Contact Wilkerson,” Laura says. “They’ll help you transition into retirement with confidence and financial security.”

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Do You Or Don't You?

Do You — or Don’t You: Do You Take Part in Art and Craft Markets as Either a Buyer or Seller?

Published

on

Do You — or Don’t You: Do You Take Part in Art and Craft Markets as Either a Buyer or Seller?

Do You — or Don’t You: Do you take part in art and craft markets as either a buyer or seller?

BY INSTORE TEAM

Do You — or Don’t You: Do You Take Part in Art and Craft Markets as Either a Buyer or Seller?

Published in the January 2013 issue

15% YES, I HAVE
 

I shop for up-and-coming artisans. — Michael Cook, Walter J. Cook Jeweler, Paoli, PA

We went to the Philadelphia Buyers Market and the Global Design Show and had a great buying trip. We saw some regulars and also picked up quite a few new jewelry artists. — Leslie Lawrence, FireWorks Gallery, Halifax, NS

Advertisement

We’ve found that one or two of the jewelry designers we sell are selling at these shows at the same pricing they give us, which we consider to be unfair. It’s definitely not the best situation, but the shows are a great place to find emerging talent and catalysts for new trends. — Andrea Riso, Talisman Collection, Folsom, CA

Love them! The creative part of the jewelry business is what I adore. Craft markets show things with a lot of fresh ideas and innovative styles. — Susan Eisen, Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry & Watches, El Paso, TX

We do a lot of custom so I need to see what’s out there. — Marta Jones-Couch, Elements, Des Moines, IA

We always do a raffle so we can get the e-mails of people in attendance. We like to follow up with an email with a promo code for free shipping with an Etsy purchase, or something along those lines. We love to network with the other vendors, because in the handmade market, other crafters can sometimes be your best customers. — Sarah Ragsdale, David Douglas Designs, Marietta, GA

85% NO, I HAVEN’T

Our downtown just had a big one, and we closed for it! Sometimes we try to participate, but it usually proves to be not worth our while. Those craft festivals tend to bring out bottom-feeders, and our regular customers can’t get to us because of street closures and parking complications. — Jennifer Hornik Johnson, Jae’s Jewelers, Coral Gables, FL

Advertisement

The set-up and tear-down, the travel and the overhead just got to be stupid-expensive for us as vendors. As a buyer, they make me want to buy a beer, chug it, and slice my wrists with the bottle. Glass sold as stones, plate sold as sterling — just too disheartening. — Erin McMichael Hess, Accents, Colorado Springs, CO

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

After 139 Years, A Family Legacy Finds Its Perfect Exit With Wilkerson.

When third-generation jeweler Sam Sipe and his wife Laura decided to close Indianapolis’ historic J.C. Sipe Jewelers, they turned to Wilkerson to handle their retirement sale. “The conditions were right,” Sam explains of their decision to close the 139-year-old business. Wilkerson managed the entire going-out-of-business sale process, from marketing strategy to sales floor operations. “Our goal was to convert our paid inventory into retirement funds,” notes Sam. “The results exceeded expectations.” The Sipes’ advice for jewelers considering retirement? “Contact Wilkerson,” Laura says. “They’ll help you transition into retirement with confidence and financial security.”

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