Customer Reviews

Profiting by Design: A Jewelry Maker's Guide to Business Success

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Profiting by Design is a wonderful book for people who are looking to start a jewelry business. A few months ago, I was reading an article on techniques and ideas in starting a successful jewelry business. The author of the article suggested this particular book. Before I bought the book, I read the reviews and then purchased the it. I am so glad I did! After purchasing many jewelry business start up type books, this is one of 2 books that I use the most. Sometimes while getting your business up and running it is easy to forget a few things. My thing is creating worksheets for the business. There a many examples on creating the perfect worksheet to help your business run smoothly and efficiently. I came up with a creative jewelry worksheet during the assembling process which records time, price of pendant and beads, type of beads and so on. It has made my life easier when it comes to describing and pricing my jewelry. No prescious time is wasted since I no longer have to sit and think about what went into creating the piece. There are many many more helpful worksheets to create and useful ideas. This book is an easy read with many successful business owners adding their successful tips they use in their business. Their tips and tricks are very helpful and it can give you inspiration to launch your business in a new way that is unique or what customers are looking for.

However, there was one idea that I didn't agree with regarding customers and discounts. It pertains to the customer requesting a "better deal" on your pricing. While, I understand what the author was trying to convey by not reducing your prices and stick to what you feel your jewelry is worth. I strongly suggest that you don't give your customers flip answers or appear to be a smart ass. Maybe you think it's funny but to someone else, it isn't! Personally, if I asked for a better deal on something that, 'I wanted and didn't need' and the sales person/designer/owner responded by saying, "sure I'll give you a better deal by raising the price 10%". I would probably give the most muderous, dirty look that I could muster up and walk away. And further you can bet that I would tell the story to every single friend, family, business owner and whomever as well as facebook it, myspace it, and maybe even write an article about it. You never know who is going to walk into your booth and what results will unfold through acts of kindness. Certainly, you don't have to give discounts to every single person or give your things away as there are many, many people that won't even think about asking you for a discount. (That has been my experience). My thought is that maybe your customer is short on cash and embarrassed to mention it. Perhaps they have a strict budget and can only afford so much. I would rather "pay it forward" to someone that fell in love with a jewelry item that I designed and then brag to the world about it. I think that equals more sales.


Aside from that, I would highly recommend this book to someone who has some troubles starting their business and isn't sure where to begin, creating worksheet to keep you on track, and selling your jewelry in today's economy.

I am so glad that I purchased this book. I have learned so much about the steps to take to properly set up my jewelry business. Marlene Richey covers a wide variety of topics, many of which I hadn't even considered before! Not only is it informative, it's fun to read as well. Moreover, the worksheets that the author provides were extremely helpful. It's easy to just be focused on the design end of selling jewelry. Without a strong foundation of knowledge about running a business you're bound to fail. This book is the perfect place to begin!

Excellent resource for jewelry artists, comprehensive. Comments from
working artists who have experience and good advice in different areas
that artists struggle with to market their work.

I really appreciate that this book is geared for those of us who work with precious metals and stones. Lots of helpful advice and things to think carefully upon.

easy read, easy to understand, great samples of work sheet and business plans. i particularly love the 'designing your own business' chapter. any jewelry designers/makers who are serious about this business should buy one, especially if you are an artist who has not yet lean to love the business part of it. - highly recommended!