Too Many Jewelry Makers?
On a similar note, another forum member writes about her irritation with so many of the jewelry artists on Etsy.com who sell their work at dirt cheap prices. Etsy is much like an on-line on-going craft show, so again, you have a huge number of jewelry designers over there. I would guess that jewelry is probably the largest category they have. One brief look showed 27, 734 pages with 21 items on each page of jewelry for sale. Yikes, do that math! Actually, they do it for you and the day I check listed a total of 58,2405 jewelry pieces for sale. That's a lot of jewelry! Does so much competition force jewelry designers to keep prices so low they may not be even making a profit?
I don't necessarily have the answers to all of these questions, but I thought they were worth thinking about and talking about.
Comments
I make jewelry, sell jewelry, buy jewelry. I guess just like jewelry. I’ve walked away from almost every market that I’ve participated in with a piece from another jewelry vendor. Sometimes, it’s because I like the beads or the design but more than likely it’s something I don’t know how to do (like resin jewelry or something that requires sewing). I’ve made great connections and even managed to trade jewelry with other artists….just by being nice. I just don’t understand all of the rudeness out there.
It’s true, there are tons of people out there selling jewelry. Too many? I don’t know. Many markets and organizations limit the number of jewelry vendors that can participate in events. I totally understand that But ultimately, the competition makes me work harder at what I do and I often find inspiration in other people’s work. I don’t love the fact that people sell their work for dirt cheap but it’s a free market. So, I just create the best product I can, sell it at a fair price, and hope for the best!
I was just at a craft fair this past weekend and got the “hairy eyeball” from another jewelry designer. It’s so strange. Yes, there will be competition in any market, but we can learn from and be inspired by each other, as well as supportive and helpful of each jewelry maker’s success! We’re all in the same boat. I agree that sites like Etsy and eBay are wonderful venues for selling, but always try to price your jewelry at a fair price (so you earn a profit), and use other avenues for selling as well. I used to sell a lot on eBay and did very well, but it is way more competitive (cheap) now! It doesn’t mean you can’t sell on there, but do your homework.
To me it seems similar to when 2 ladies where the same dress to church and then hate each other for years over it. What’s the point. Doesn’t it mean they both have similar tastes? So then, might that also mean they have common interests and might enjoy each other’s company?
It seems to me that instead of being rude, we could all benefit from the other jewelry makers around us. I am sure I don’t know everything and would like to know the tips and tricks you have developed in your time making jewelry. At the same time, it is possible that I have a trick you haven’t considered. Life is too short for petty games.
I think maybe some people are reacting to the very tough times out there. Hard times can sometimes take out the worst in people. I love meeting fellow bead-aholics at me booth. We speak the same language, and we automatically have something in common!
Prices have gotten more competitive, so we have to get more creative with our sales. What was said about ‘doing your homework’ is so true. There are still venues out there that need good quality jewelry on an ongoing basis.
The last time I was at a jewelry show, the hostess of the affair told me that the only other jewelry being sold there was made from African trade beads. I was told that if it rained, the other person and I would have to share a small room.
Luckily it didn’t rain.
The jewelry the other vendor was selling was made from stone beads, and she had brought a friend. Their tables took up a huge space.
The hostess of the whole affair was very disappointed, because the vendor took up a larger space than she had planned.
Luckily we all got along, and although no one sold very much, we did learn from each other, and a potentially bad experience turned into a friendly learning experience.
I had always thought that African trade beads were made from glass instead of stone. I had felt that since I make my jewelry from stone and sterling, there would be enough of a difference between our products.
Thank goodness it was a positive experience.
I think one of the challenges is that it doesn’t cost much to get involved in the handcrafted jewelry business, and because it’s so much fun to make jewelry, lots of people do it.
Among those who start selling jewelry are folks on the one side who want to make a real business out of and therefore need to make profits, and on the other side those who just want to make enough money to help fund their hobby and are happy just to cover some of their costs.
When it comes down to pricing competition, the latter will have a big advantage over the former.
There are inded a LOT of jewelry makers out there. I too am a jewelry maker, but I also LOVE to buy other artists’ jewelry. I think there is room for everyone. There is a market for everyone. I have noticed there is a dirth of jewelry-makers selling for what I consider to be inexpensive pricing on etsy. I think this is probably due to the fact that (like another commenter said), there are lots of folks who just like to make jewelry, and only want to get their money back out of it, not make money on it.) I like to get more money than for my work, because it is my livelihood. So maybe etsy isn’t for me….there are plenty of other markets that are. To me, it’s all a matter of constantly creating new things, and learning how to find your target market.
I have participated in a few shows and artist coops, and have found that we all have our own unique talents to offer. As a jewelry designer that hopes to make a business of my craft, I do find the masses a bit concerning, especially when they aren’t pricing things to make a living.
But its all what you make of it, find your niche, your voice and provide the best quality product that you can and your customer will find you. We all are in a unique economic trend and keep that in mind when trying to start up a site or a business at the moment, it is all about timing, and don’t let it discourage you but consider waiting for the times to be more favorable for your works. Most of the jewelry makers out there need supplies and tutorials and interesting projects to atempt and techniques to learn, and as we each grow and develop we can hone our idividual style and make a place for ourselves as artists, competition only serves to make the best shine all the brighter, and those who recognize that will find you.
With regard to there being too many Jewellery makers and designers out “there” and their pricing. After doing many markets etc and just seeing the numbers of people out there in this highly competive market, it just makes me go back to the drawing board and keeping my designs new, fresh and inventive. With the number of Jewellery making books out in the shops these days and classes available, it is easy to see who has read what book and who has done what classes. Maybe the magazines and teachers need to keep up-to-date in their approach to new comers and encourage them to be more spontanous and creative in their designs instead of allowing them to just copy . It is very refreshing to see NEW stuff and admire NEW designs in the magazines instead of seeing an old design with different coloured beads etc on them. I think this is the real challenge in this highly competive business. Lets face it creativity is within, you either have it or you don’t. A real artist will see the beads etc and start dreaming and creating in her mind there on the spot, a copier will just buy beads in different colours and copy yet another design.
Yep…there are a lot of jewelry makers out there. Pricing in a shaky economy is harder than ever. I admit to having lowered my prices a bit to better fit my area’s pocketbooks as I was getting started. But, as my customer base grows so will my prices grow to reflect my more established reputation and skill. For me, the key to good sales is to pick your venue very carefully.
At issue is another facet of this discussion. What I’m seeing is an over abundance of beading in the marketplace. Yes, I know beads are the bread and butter of zillions of vendors and artists alike, but the numbers are staggering.
My partner and I had a booth in Berne, TX last year and there were so many beaders there and some were advertising “70% off,” that anyone with anything else was harder to find than a needle in a haystack. Show committees are turning away jewelers right and left. When I apply, the first thing out of my mouth is, “I am not a beader.”
My work borders between traditional silver smithing, wire wrap, and metal clay. I did minimally well at that show. My beader friend did zip. I warned her but it was a bitter lesson to say the least. Now, she is still doing beading to exhaust her inventory of beads but she has also become a wonderful metal clay artist who makes her own dicroic glass cabs and pendants. I am also teaching her to wire wrap.
The problem is that everyone thinks that stringing beads is easy so they don’t respect the artist adequately. I’ve seen some wonderful bead work but there is just so much bead work out there that even great bead work gets lost in the crowd. Most of them have not put the money and time into learning their art like the rest of us.
I don’t have the answers but if I put my work on Etsy, I am not giving it away. If anyone hears that someone is giving away silver or gold, please let me know immediately. Until that time, I’m not giving away my gold or silver and I’m not giving away my time either.
Ironically, it’s my higher end pieces that sell consistently. Not a landslide, mind you, but consistently. I buy hand cut cabs, drusy’s, and faceted stones. If you want the best, you have to pay for it, n’est pas?
Interesting comments and story. I started out as a beader - before it really took off - and did well, then the market became saturated. I knew I was in trouble when Michael’s dedicated two aisles to the craft. (No offense to Michael’s)
Now I am learning metalsmithing and am ready to leave the beads behind. I believe you have to learn new techniques and skills in order to survive today’s economy and competitive environment. We’re probably at the peak of a trend, and it will eventually work itself out - the strong, creative, unique and true designers will survive. I hope I am one of them!
I’ve participated in shows where I not only got the “hairy eyeball” but some unkind, snide remarks as well. Funny enough, I think I’ve purchased jewelry from a fellow vendor at almost every show I’ve done, too. Just love jewelry!
You all have inspired me to make my pricing more competitive and reflect the time I’ve spent honing my craft. Thank you!