If you design unique handcrafted jewelry with an artistic flair, you may be overlooking a viable market for your handmade creations. Museum stores across the country are always looking for high quality handmade jewelry that fits the theme of their particular store. The museum market which is estimated to be a half a million dollar a year business can be an excellent source of ongoing profits for a jewelry designer. Although some designers feel intimidated about approaching these stores, with the right product this can be a lucrative and satisfying way to sell handcrafted jewelry. Here are some tips for selling handmade jewelry through museum stores:
Develop a unique, quality product that fits with the theme.
There are a variety of museum store types ranging from ones that focus on fine arts and crafts to those devoted to natural history, science, aviation, nature, and more. The key is to develop a high quality line of jewelry that ties into the theme the store represents. A museum store that focuses on arts and crafts would be appropriate for a wide range of jewelry whereas museum stores focusing on a niche area such as aviation would be interested in seeing a line of jewelry with that particular theme. Remember that people who shop in museum stores expect high quality merchandise. The best way to familiarize yourself with the market is to visit as many museum stores as you can and determine if you can adapt your jewelry line to sell to this market.
Develop professional marketing materials.
To sell handcrafted jewelry to museum stores, you’ll need professional marketing materials. A small color catalog or brochure showing photos of your handcrafted jewelry along with a wholesale price list should serve the purpose. This is one area where you shouldn't skimp. Museums want to deal with professionals so you must give them the impression that you’re a serious jewelry designer if you want to be successful selling handcrafted jewelry. Be prepared to send samples if the buyer or store manager requests them.
How to approach the museum market
If you have a local museum store in your area and you feel your handcrafted jewelry is an appropriate fit, send the buyer your photo brochure and business card. After a week has elapsed, call and ask to meet with the store manager or buyer. Bring along samples of your jewelry to show their quality and workmanship. For out of town museum stores, send a brochure and price list and then follow up with phone calls within a week or two. Be persistent if you think your jewelry is a good fit. It may take several phone calls to get the store to agree to give your jewelry a try.
Attend trade shows
A trade show can be expensive but it’s one of the best ways to exhibit your jewelry to hundreds of buyers in a short period of time. Museum store buyers are more likely to be interested in your jewelry if they can touch it and feel the quality. Trade shows are held in large urban areas including Atlanta, New York City, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Be sure you’re able to ramp up production of your jewelry if you get interested buyers. This is a quick but expensive way to sell handcrafted jewelry to wholesale buyers.
Join the Museum Store Association
If you’re serious about selling handcrafted jewelry through museum stores, visit the website for the Museum Store Association. By becoming a member, you can reach large numbers of museum store buyers and can also better understand the museum store market. They can be found online by doing a Google search for them by name.
Museum stores can be an excellent way to sell handcrafted jewelry. With a high quality jewelry product and professional marketing materials you can attract the attention of museum store buyers and experience the thrill of having your merchandise sell in this upscale market.