Finest In Jewelry

Jewelry Makers Supplies

Jewelry Makers Supplies

So you are all signed up for your flea market. Now, getting to the show and setting up is only half the battle. There’s so much more involved in making this show your best show and, of course, the goal is to sell your flea market items and handmade crafts.

First of all, unless absolutely unavoidable, you should never take on selling your flea market items or craft show products by yourself. While shows can be exciting and profitable, they can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. That’s why it’s important to bring along someone to help you work the booth and deal with customers. This will also give you a chance to get up and go to the bathroom and grab a hotdog or something to drink without losing sales.

It’s best to ask a friend or family member to go with you. Most will be willing – especially if they share the same love of flea market items and handcrafted products that you do. Pick up the tab for their parking and buy them lunch. Don’t make them pay for anything – if at all possible. That’s just one perk. Perhaps you can offer them a percentage of the profits for those who are reluctant to help you out.

If you decide to go it alone, realize that your booth will be unmanned for a certain period of time. If you must take a break – even for a short time, try to get someone in the neighboring booths to help you out. And, by all means, offer the same back to them.

Probably the first thing you should do upon arrival and completion of set-up is to walk the show. See what other vendors are offering and what they are charging. Ask them about their work, introduce yourself as a fellow flea marketer or craftsperson, and take an interest in their booth. This is a perfect time to take note of how their booths are set up, note what they are doing to attract customers, and mimic their demeanor, if it seems like it would help you sell yourself. Consider what they’ve done and how they’ve done it – especially if they’re selling something similar to what you have available yourself.

There are two things that vendors at flea market or craft shows do that could hinder sales. Because your booth space is your showroom, you need to project a professional image. That means certain do’s and don’ts.

Many flea market or craft shows these days ban smoking while in attendance – both by vendors and attendees. Even if smoking isn’t banned, it’s a really bad idea to smoke while in your booth space, especially if you are selling clothing or items where smoke smell might linger. Since it’s not advisable to attend a flea market or craft show to sell your product alone, tell your partner you are taking a break, and walk away from your booth – far away. Smoking can run off potential buyers quicker than body odor!

Though much less likely to offend than smoking, eating while in your booth is also a chancy behavior. You really should avoid eating in front of customers. When you are engaging in behaviors like eating, it seems to customers that you are not really interested in selling your flea market items or crafts and they will simply walk away.

Greet everyone who stops by to look, but don’t be pushy. Be friendly, but don’t feel you have to over sell your flea market products or crafts unless what you’ve made has a unique feature that isn’t readily visible. Being pushy can drive away a potential customer quite quickly.

At the very least, make sure your display table is clean and attractive and that your products are well displayed with prices clearly marked. Some people string lights in their booths and display color photos of their work to spice things up a bit. Still others will play some type of music which can relax a customer and make them more apt to buy.

If you’re a crafter, take this opportunity to build your inventory. Demonstrating your craft can attract a lot of attention as folks like to see things being made. There will possibly be a lot of downtime while you’re at the show, so bring along your supplies and continue making your crafts while you’re selling. People like to see a craftsperson creating artwork in his booth, not just selling it. While this isn’t always possible, it’s a crowd-pleasing idea that works well for jewelry makers, woodworkers, quilters and other craftspeople. Show customers that you know what you are doing and that you love it enough to continue even when you could be relaxing. Making crafts while in your booth serves a dual purpose: you show them you love your work, but you are also building your inventory.

Bob Weeber is flea marketer, crafter, internet marketer, business coach and mentor. He enjoys making his own beer, working in the great outdoors, and teaching people about internet marketing.

Flea Market Tips

Flea Market Items

All you chain maille jewelry makers out there….?

I just started making chainmaille jewelry and have just finished my first byzantine bracelet and Earrings. Now, I have a couple questions. First, Can you make finger rings out of chain maille? Do you know where I can get instructions? Also, on some of the websites for chainmaille supplies I see rubber rings, what are they used for. I have a book on chain maille jewelry, but it doesn’t mention the rubber rings. Help!! Thanks!

If you are making two way double loop in loop chains, drop down to 28 gauge wire or even 30 gauge wire. I have made tiny chains with 28 gauge. I could easily make a ring if I so choose.

The ancient Greeks made small rings utilizing tiny gauge wire. The technique will be sufficiently flexible for you at the ring level.

Locate Jean Stark’s book, Classical Loop in Loop Chains.

Regards

How to Make Jewelry : Jewelry Making Supplies

Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor $55.00 Makes up to 24% more juice than a leading petitorExtra-large 3″ chute juices whole fruits and vegetables with less prep800-watt motor processes whole fruits and vegetables in secondsLarge pulp bin allows the user to juice longer and add nutrient-rich pulp to any recipeAll removable parts are dishwasher-safeStainless steel strainer basket with cleaning brush for easy pulp removalEasy to assemble an…

Fast Weigh MS-500-BLK Digital Pocket Scale, 500 by 0.1 G $4.50 Introducing the M-500 from Fast Weigh Scales! This hip little scale is one of the hottest and most economical scales on the market today! The removable cover keeps the scale protected when not in use and also doubles as an expansion tray. Just replace the plastic cover when your done using it, and you can safely toss the scale in your handbag or pocket with no worries. Features: * A stylish yet ec…

American Weigh Gemini-20 Portable Milligram Scale, 20 by 0.001 G $18.00 Backlit LCD display Built-in weight holder on scale. Capacity 20g / 0.7055oz / 0.6430ozt / 100ct / 12.860dwt/ 308.64 gn Readability 0.001g / 0.0001oz / 0.0001ozt / 0.005ct / 0.001dwt/ 0.02 gn Scale Dimensions 3.0 x 5.0 x 0.75″ Platform Dimensions 0.7″ Diameter (1.3″ with tray) Warranty 10 Year Limited Warranty Power 2 x AAA Batteries (included)…

Cinderella Trilogy with Limited Edition Collectible Jewelry Box Packaging (Six-Disc Combo: Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy) $64.96 Related Products See more Cinderella Amazon’s Disney Store See more Disney Movies Versions of Cinderella on Blu-ray and DVD Cinderella Also available in Spanish Version Cinderella (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo in DVD Packaging) Also available in Spanish Version Cinderella (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) Also avail…

The Lord of the Rings (1978 Animated Movie) [Blu-ray] $13.96 Although it was ultimately overshadowed by Peter Jackson’s live-action Lord of the Rings trilogy, Ralph Bakshi’s animated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy classic is not without charms of its own. A target of derision from intolerant fans, this ambitious production is nevertheless a respectably loyal attempt to animate the first half of Tolkien’s trilogy, beginning with the hobbit Frodo…

Back Street [VHS] $14.98 Charles Boyer and Margaret Sullavan are the star-crossed lovers in 1941’s Back Street. Reunited in New York City years after their marriage plans were sabotaged, Sullavan discovers that Boyer is now wed to another. Desperate to remain a part of his life, she agrees to become his mistress. With Richard Carlson, Tim Holt, Frank McHugh….

Helping Hands with Magnifying Glass $1.56 Quality helping hands with solid heavy duty cast iron base, great for soldering and working with small items. Useful tool for electrician, engineers, jewelers and more. Helping hand comes with 2-1/2″ glass lens mangifier and 2 alligator clips mounted on 4 way swivels….

American Terminal AT-31604 60-40 Rosin Core Solder (4 Ounces) $3.94 ALPHA FRY ELECTRICAL REPAIR SOLDER *60% tin / 40% lead solder with rosin flux core *4 oz *.062″ dia. *Melting point: 374 deg F *For wires, motors, radio, TV, VCR and stero repairs…

Set 3 Ninja Stealth Black Throwing Knives with Nylon Case $6.85 For sale are the 3 full tang Ninja Kunai throwing knives, like those seen in Naruto. Made of 440 stainless steel, the handle and blade are of one piece. The blade is slightly sharpened, and with 4″, the item is made to puncture. The handle is wrapped nylon. Included is the nylon sheath, which holds 3 ninja kunais. This is a favorite of ninja fans….

Hunger Games Mockingjay Call …

Avengers Assemble $11.13 Marvel Music/Hollywood Records announce the return of Soundgarden with the release of the band’s first all new song in 15 years, “Live to Rise.” The song will be featured in the end credits to this year’s highly anticipated movie, “Marvel’s The Avengers.” Avengers Assemble is a 14-track compilation of music from and inspired by the film. In addition to Soundgarden’s “Live to Rise,” the Avengers A…

Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites $2.75 Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites…

Downton Abbey (Original UK Edition) $16.88 Studio: Pbs Release Date: 01/11/2011 Run time: 368 minutes…

Downton Abbey, A House in History [HD] …

The Blind Side $5.80 The life story of Baltimore Ravens left tackle Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is told in this stirring drama. Lifted out of the poverty of a Memphis ghetto by his talent on the gridiron, the withdrawn teen finds acceptance and a chance to better himself when he’s taken in by sassy socialite Leigh Anne Touhy (Best Actress Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock) and her loving family while he attends college. Ba…

USB Data Sync Cable For iPod, iPhone 2G 3G 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 2nd 3rd 4th Generation iPod Nano 4th 5th 6th Gen All iPhone, iPod Models Compatible, White (6 Feet) $0.01 Product DescriptionProduct DescriptionUSB sync Cable for iPhone/iPod Mini nano Apple – 6ft1.Apple cable with USB2.0 2.Color:white 3.Cord Length:6ft 4patible with iPod/iPhoneUSB Sync Cable for Apple iPhone/ iPad/ iPod Touch, Classic, Mini, Nano – 6ft…

Synology DiskStation 2-Bay (Diskless) Network Attached Storage DS212j (White) $199.99 1.20 GHz – USB, RJ-45 Network…

USB Power Adapter – 10-Watt – (for Apple iPad/iPhone/iPod) $0.95 Use this compact, convenient USB-based adapter to charge your iPod at home, on the road, or whenever it’s not connected to a computer….

Haribo Gummi Candy, Twin Cherries, 5- Pound Bag $13.99 Twin Cherries – 5 lb…

Haribo Gummi Candy, Happy-Cola, 5-Pound Bag $12.00 Haribo Happy-Cola gummy bottles look like real pop bottles and have a real cola flavor. They come in attractive two-toned color and are packed in 5-ounce bags….

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