What’s Inside Jewelry Trunk Shows?

Jewelry trunk shows are most commonly held by designers or manufacturers who want to test a new jewelry design on the market. This means, if you know where to go, you can get new or unique pieces of jewelry before anyone else. The designer will go to a boutique, a gift store, or perhaps a gallery, and arrange for some pieces to be displayed and sold for the public. It is a great deal for both the store and those who brought or made the jewelry.

Jewelry trunk shows are one of the few places where a designer can have direct contact with the public who will be buying his or her product. The designer can also explain to the salespeople in the store what the selling points of the pieces are and how to best present them to potential customers.

In fact, such shows are often used as testing grounds for new designs. They are usually done far enough ahead of the actual release date so that changes can be made to the line of jewelry, rather through price points or through actual physical alteration to the pieces themselves.

One of the best reasons for a designer to go to a store and run jewelry trunk shows is to make sure none of the creations they offer look too much like something that’s already out there. No one wants to sell something that looks like a copy of someone else’s work.

Big designers or major boutiques are not the only ones to benefit from jewelry trunk shows. Many of us know someone who makes interesting pieces of jewelry and sells them to friends or on websites. That person might even be you. There’s no reason why such a person couldn’t run a trunk show of her own. Local, independently owned stores, like consignment shops, would certainly benefit from the extra business, as would the jewelry maker herself.

It takes a bit of preparation, but the end result is worth the effort. First, of course, a proper venue has to be found. Discuss with the store owner what times might be best for a show. You’ll provide the snacks and the drinks, and well as a portion of the sales to the store. That will make your proposition difficult to resist.

All the real preparatory work will be yours. You’ll need to advertise by printing flyers and posting them all around the city, and by emailing any customers of yours. The latter should be a big help by promoting through word of mouth, as well. Personally tell friends and family, and they’ll also spread the word. Be sure your flyers have the details of what food will be served and some good pictures of your best pieces.

When the day comes, arrive at least an hour early. Dress simply and elegantly. The simple black dress is always a good choice – but be sure you’re wearing your own jewelry to go with it. You are your best advertisement, after all. The show itself is your best opportunity to build up your clientele. Have a bowl available for business cards. You might even want to encourage customers to leave business cards by holding a drawing for free jewelry. Soon, you’ll have a mailing list to contact when you’re ready to sell your next creations.

Whether buying or running one of your own, jewelry trunk shows can be a lot of fun and places where you can save (or make!) quite a bit of change.
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