Headlines

New Etsy Initiative Helping Jewelers Scale Up Their Businesses

Published

8 years ago

March 29, 2016

INSTORE Staff

One jewelry maker has slashed her production time thanks to a local metal spinner.

Melissa Frost is scaling up her jewelry-making enterprise on Etsy thanks to the e-commerce website’s new manufacturing initiative, which aims to connect artisans with small shops that can help independent craftspeople grow their businesses, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes.

The article explains how Frost, through Etsy’s new initiative, met Brad Harrison, the director of business development at a local metal spinning company that has a high-powered laser cutting machine on its production line. The two partnered up, and the result was a drastic reduction in the amount of time it takes to cut sheets of metal. Since a large part of her business comes in the form of custom design requests, she told the news outlet she “needed tools to speed up the process. Now I’m embracing the hybrid of traditional metalsmithing that is handmade and technology like laser cutting.”

Etsy’s manufacturing initiative, the article says, was unveiled in New York and Boston before Pittsburgh was selected as the third city.

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”