Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry [Paperback]

Viki Lareau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006

Straight from a jewelry-business mentor, this guide to entering the bauble business compiles expert knowledge and wide experiences for those looking to take their hobby to the next level. Aspiring businesspeople will gain the advantage of experience from the numerous case studies and engaging personal stories. Starting with the basics of assessing style, time commitment, and target market, the sections progress through business licenses and tax numbers, developing a cohesive presentation for a business, and the fine art of pricing for a profit. Helpful appendices on display suppliers, business and government agencies, and recommended reading complete the handbook, making it a valuable companion for entrepreneurs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Optimistic, but also straightforward, helpful, and honest." — BellaOnline.com Guide to Jewelry Making

"Pricing is always a problem for crafters and here Lareau's formula comes to the rescue." — MonstersandCritics.com

"You will find so much information that you may want to consider frequent breaks just to soak it all in." — Mat-Su Valley Bead Society newsletter

"If you're serious about starting a jewelry-making business, then the place to start is with [this book]." — Detroit News Crafts Blog

"The wealth of useful tips and tricks contained within the pages of the book come to life in stories about women who have been successful at starting and running their jewelry businesses...The perfect reference guide for any potential jewelry entrepreneur." — BeadUnique

"This book is a compilation of Viki's knowledge, wisdom, and experience...an essential business guide for creative jewelry artists." — The Bead Bugle.com

About the Author

Viki Lareau worked for Nordstrom as well as a chain of bead stores across the United States and Canada. She runs the annual Puget Sound Bead Festival and is the co-owner of The Bead Factory. She lives in Tacoma, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680245
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680241
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Arts & Photography > Business of Art

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, to the point, and extremely helpful, November 10, 2006

By 

Amy Henry (Nipomo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry (Paperback)

This is a small book, but it has a large amount of information, presented in an order different than I expected. She focuses on four major areas to consider for marketing and selling, and has a no-nonsense realistic approach.
I really liked her point about finding out WHAT sells by experimenting first, that what you think is your best may not be what your buyers think. She discusses researching at shows, finding your niche, and then creating a look to your marketing materials to match. I would have thought that would come after establishing sales, but her reasoning is solid.

The fact that she has experience in the business helps a great deal, you aren't just getting "theoretical advice" or general business advice. Keep in mind, there are no jewelry instructions in this book, it's purely looking at the business end (which was good in my opinion).

The only thing I thought could have been more in depth is to suggest readers work on creating highest quality products, establishing high standards and not looking like everyone else's projects. That and a bit more proof-reading would have been good (several typos in the last chapters were distracting and very obvious). And I would have liked a bit more information on dealing with returns, and goods damaged by the buyer.

All in all I really liked this book and will refer to it often. The illustrations are also really helpful.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gold Mine of Information!!, February 1, 2007

By 

F. Cardinale (Auburn, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry (Paperback)

If you are interested in knowing step by step how to get started in the handmade jewelry business - this has to be the best book out there!

It's written by a woman who knows what she is talking about and has logically layed out the much needed details on how to do it. The book is full of information and tips, however it's also concise and easy to read. Viki has generously shared her experience and knowledge and I feel the book contains the necessary answers to questions that anyone interested in getting started will find of ENORMOUS value.

I have been to her bead store in Tacoma and attended one of her classes, and I have always been impressed by how professional her business is run - and that was before I read her book! Every small detail from tying your purchase with gold ribbon around the top of the bag, to well trained and friendly sales people - she definitely walks the talk!!

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, realistic, inspiring advice on the business of handmade jewerly, January 18, 2007

By 

R. Duenow (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry (Paperback)

Viki Lareau packs a lot of sound advice into this no-nonsense, easy to read text. Short and concise, the seven chapters walk you through the basics of entering into the business of marketing and selling your jewelry successfully. Lareau presents a realistic view of the business while at the same time offering up creative and inspiring suggestions in the form of full color photos, personal anecdotes, and real-life success stories of fellow jewelry artists. She tells you things you may not have thought of as well as things you know but don't want to admit you need to deal with to be in business for yourself! all in all, I found it very helpful. If you are seriously thinking about going into business for yourself, I'd suggest combining this text with "Business Plan in a Day" to really get started on the right path.