Tuesday, February 15, 2011

What to do?

by Patty Lakinsmith

Hollows

Greetings from terra firma! I'm sorry I was unable to post any pictures last week on my way back from the Best Bead Show in Tucson, but if you amble on over to my blog I have an illustrated summary of our time there. In all, it was a fabulous time and even more fun than the year before.

But now I have a dilemma and I'm hoping you can help. I've got a bunch of leftover hollow beads and I'm not sure how to offer them to my customers. Sure, some of them naturally hang together as sets, but these days it seems that folks are more interested in the less expensive onesy-twosey beads and not so much in larger groups of beads. So, what do you think I should do with these? More than likely some will find their way into some new jewelry, but there's way more than I need and I do love seeing how others use my little glass babies.

They're lightweight enough to be used as earrings, probably a little large for bracelets, and just great as necklace components. All suggestions are welcome!

9 comments:

mairedodd said...

these are so beautiful... i understand what you are saying about people buying smaller listings... maybe you could do singles & pairs? have you ever offered mismatched pairs so that someone could get different styles (but then, they may as well buy singles unless the price is different, right?) they really are quite gorgeous - must be something to see in person...

Artisan Beads Plus said...

Well....once you make the final decision that you won't be shipping them all to me, I think that you might want to try singles or groups of 3. Perhaps, one a little larger along with 2 that would be accents.

Barbara Lewis said...

Why don't you offer them as singles but then have smaller beads that are companions to these that someone, if so inclined, could purchased them separately. They are absolutely beautiful!

VanBeads said...

Maybe do some mix-n-match for your customers? Offer smaller sets of two or three beads? They are all gorgeous - I love hollow beads!!!

Shannon Chomanczuk said...

They are amazing. Some people don't mind buying large sets depending on the price. I would say if you did sets of 3 or 4 or 5 you are probably appealing to most shoppers. From looking at the pictures the beads seem to work in smaller sets not just in sets of 8 or 9. You could probably even make more money doing it this way because smaller sets are a smaller price tag so you can gain back some of your listing fees by building it into the price. Although I have seen other artists beads sell out right away even though the beads are over $100.
Shannon
Did I tell you how beautiful those bead are?!!

DArsie Manzella said...

These are radiant little works of art! As a potential customer, I would be interested in onesies. If I wanted to make earrings I would search the listings for a match.
Hollow beads are my weakness!

Sally Anderson said...

Oh, have a sale! And let me know when, I'll be knocking on your virtual door. I love your beads. I can't believe people aren't buying sets. I love sets of stuff. Probably goes back to my childhood when I had a set of Nancy Drew books. I still love whole sets of stuff!
I can't be alone, can I?
SallyA

Kelli said...

OOOOH!! I know, I know!!! Send them to me!! :) WOW! THey're beautiful!!!! :D
I agree. Sets of 2 or 3 probably work best. I know as a purchaser of handmade beads, I prefer 3-5 so that I can have 2 for earrings, at least one for a necklace, and if a 5 set, a couple to make a matching bracelet. Let me know when they're up for sale!!!!!!!

Jenni said...

Gorgeous beads.
You could have a sale and offer 1 for?$, 2 for ?$ 3 foe ?$ and so on..
Add them to bracelets as a dangle?
Offer some as pairs?
Offer individually and make a few co-ordinating little spacers?
Give some away!?
Have an auction?
Swap them for something else?
Hope something works out for you. Jenni
.

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