| Everyone knows that selling the production pieces is at | | | | with ease. I want my clients to have a custom |
| the core of every jewelry business. However, there is | | | | handmade jewelry that will become an heirloom that |
| something to be said about making costume | | | | they can be proud to give to the next generation. |
| handmade jewelry. | | | | Decide on how you want to work with your clientele. I |
| Custom handmade jewelry orders can bring you | | | | prefer to meet with my customers and sketch a |
| higher income per piece and definitely give you more | | | | simple design together. I interview them and get to |
| pleasure. Having said this, it is important that you create | | | | know them before we start the process. It is important |
| some specific guidelines and that you communicate | | | | to know about who they are, this are some basic |
| them clearly to your customers. | | | | questions I ask: |
| Policies for Selling Custom Handmade Jewelry. | | | | What is your everyday life like? |
| The following are just some things to consider when | | | | How do you prefer to dress both on a daily basis |
| setting your policies for selling custom handmade | | | | and for special occasions? |
| jewelry: | | | | Are there any colors you use more often? - |
| Start by considering your own design identity and | | | | Bringing some color swatches |
| how to sustain it. | | | | Do you want this piece to capture a specific |
| Let the costumer know that you will work with | | | | memory or moment in time? Start with these |
| them to create a unique piece that will represent them | | | | questions and you will see that the conversation begins |
| and their style. | | | | to flow. It is crucial you learn more about your |
| Clarify that you maintain the right to integrate you | | | | customers. The stronger the relationship you build with |
| unique style into the piece (remember, they came to | | | | them the higher level of satisfaction. |
| you because they like your work). | | | | Once you complete some basic sketches and you |
| I never compromise my style and prefer to turn away | | | | know you are on the right track, take the time to finish |
| orders when the customer wants something that I am | | | | a more professional looking sketch. Learning how to |
| not willing to make. I always maintain my artistic | | | | use some of the computerized jewelry design |
| integrity. I always tell my costumers than I will not copy | | | | programs is helpful at this stage. |
| someone else's work or follow their design as I work | | | | Bring or send a photograph the gemstones to your |
| only with my own original designs. | | | | client. This also helps with solidifying the design |
| Part of my responsibility as a jewelry artist is to guide | | | | agreement. When the customer approves the design |
| the client through the design process. I offer | | | | and selects the gemstone, then you can begin to price |
| information about the stones and metals that work | | | | the piece. |
| best to achieve the final custom handmade jewelry. I | | | | Let the client know that your work is hand fabricated, |
| give them some basic about design elements and | | | | so there will be minor variations. Remind them that |
| principles. This helps them understand how important it | | | | handmade jewelry can never be identical ans should |
| is to make a comfortable item that they can wear | | | | be considered as "one-of-a-kind. |