Lesson Learned - Love It or Leave It

Prepare yourself for some over-analytical rambling on the topic of what is selling for me and what isn't. I've scattered some pictures of my jewelry though the post to distract you! You're welcome.
Loved it - SOLD it!
Since I started selling jewelry (just over 6 whole months now) I've been trying to find a pattern in what people buy from me. I can't seem to find a definite one. However, what I HAVE come to notice is that the pieces I absolutely LOVE tend to be the items that sell. And, the ones I'm not really a fan of . . . Well, it seems that no one else is either. That's not to say that I love EVERY item I've sold or that EVERY item I love gets sold. (Yeah, read that last sentence real slow and it will make sense, kinda.) But, the items that I'm no big fan of, they just don't sell.
Didn't love, didn't sell
What has all this over-analyzing taught me? Well, I've learned that if I don't really like an item, it's not worth listing. Just because I made it doesn't mean that it's a winner. Not EVERYTHING I make has to go into the shop.
In simple terms: 
If I like it, I list it. If I don't like it, leave it out.

I've got to remember that the shop is a representation of who I am. It can't just be a pile of beads that kinda look good together.
Loved=SOLD

I see now that this is something that should have been blatantly obvious to me. However, I reasoned that not everyone has the same taste as I do in jewelry. So, I was making and including jewelry pieces that I thought would meet other tastes. That's got to stop.

A favorite - SOLD

Apparently, my distaste for those piece shone through. I am going to have to be more critical of what I use to represent me and seriously take a look at each item. Then, decide if it's a piece I would personally wear. If not, it gets taken apart and I start over.
Not a fan = expired without a sell

I've got two finished pieces right now, a necklace and a pair of earrings, that I KNOW I'm not particularly thrilled with. I think the necklace can be salvaged with a a few adjustments, but the earrings. . .they just need to be taken apart completely and the beads worked into something else.

SOLD

This is still a learning process for me, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
SOLD!!


And, here's a bracelet (that I DO LOVE) that is now on sale over 15% off!
Rosy Glow Bracelet

The necklace from Lorelei's 2nd Michael's Challenge was also listed in the shop. I am quite fond of the focal on this piece.
Naughty or Nice Necklace

What lessons have you learned?
Do you have any tips or comments about the jewelry in my shop?
I'd love to hear from you!!
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8 comments:

  1. My Life Under the BusFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    LOL !!! I just came to this conclusion myself. My favorites are the first out the door. Why does it take us so long to figure this stuff out?

    ReplyDelete
  2. CraftyHopeFebruary 17, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Patty - I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who didn't realize this. You live, you learn!

    ReplyDelete
  3. lovetartanFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    I am still trying to figure everything out! I've not long started. It will be interesting to see if the same happens to me regarding what sells. Hope, your jewellery is lovely :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. CraftyHopeFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Michalene -
    Oh thank you so much! And thanks for the visit. Best of luck on your shop!

    ReplyDelete
  5. CindyFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    You have raised such a great point here. One that is so very true. If I love a piece, I almost hope it doesn't sell so I can keep it (or I simply never list it at all)...then it sells. The ones I think I'm okay with parting with (because I didn't HAVE to keep it) might also be the ones that take forever to sell. The question is, at what point do we take them apart and say it wasn't meant to be? :-) That's tough for me to do after investing the time in creating it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. sharonFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    I wish I could say the same as you, I find there doesn't seem to be a ryhme or reason sometimes. I am often very suprided at what sells....go figure!
    Thank you for your visit and the kind comment!
    Your work loks gret, I love all th mixtures, and I adore buttons.

    ReplyDelete
  7. CraftyHopeFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Thanks Sharon!
    Oh, I love buttons too as I'm sure you saw in my pieces. I can't seem to help but work them in. I guess that's a result of not being able to actually sew! :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. CraftyHopeFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Hm. . .Cindy I thought I had published your comment. Sorry Apparently there were some issues. I've basically decided that the ones I seriously don't like just need to come apart. It's the ones I do like that don't sell that I have a harder time considering taking them apart.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! It means so very much to me. I love to hear what you have to say.

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