Right got my first jewellery party tomorrow at my mum's house. she reckons she has about 20 people coming - eeeekkkkkk!!!

i'm going to do a practice layout of everything this afternoon. I also need to attach price tags to everything as i'm yet to do this! i've made up a load of boxes to package stuff into and just need to dig out my organza bags too.

I've bought and borrowed some busts, and got some displays, made some earring displays and got some pretty organza to throw over the table and some rose petals. My mum is going to provide a mirror for people to use. and i'm doing a charity lucky dip as well which has bracelets, wine glass charms, earrings and phone charms in there all wrapped up in pretty tissue paper.

am i missing any thing? how much float should i have? any last minute tips?? xxx

Firstly... enjoy yourself! If you're having fun, then everyone will have fun.

Float - I usually take about £100... All my prices are either straight pounds or something and 50p. So I take, £10, £5, £1 and 50p - don't need anything else.

Be very encouraging for people to try things on - and then ask for people's opinion - especially people they don't know. This will get them talking and create a good atmosphere.

Try - and this is the bit that so many of us find difficult - to tell people about your jewellery without being too humble. Talk about the beads, how long it takes to make something, how long it takes you to find these lovely components, how much you enjoy making the jewellery, how much better your product is than something they can buy in M&S or New Look (the uniqueness is something to stress heavily here), if they're buying presents the recipient won't have seen anything like it before (and won't know how much it has cost!) - that way customers will see that the item they are purchasing is worth every penny - and hopefully buy more!

Good luck, I'm sure you'll have a ball!

Fav advice Lesley! I'm tempted to try the jewellery party thing out, so let us know how you get on Princess!

Ollee

Oooh, good luck Shahlaa, its going to be great fun!

If you've used semi-precious stones, it can be a good idea to have a list of their properties to either hand out, or display in a frame somewhere - I have one I can email to you, if you like.

Same with birthstones - cos it reminds people to buy presents!

Don't forget to take a photo of your layout for us, cos we love photos!

Good luck

Oooh good luck hun. I did one before christmas, and it was a blast!

Lesley has pretty much covered it all i think, but if i were you i would get a note pad and write all the stock in it that your taking with you, with prices next to the item, and tick off what sells best. Also dont forget your calculator, and gift bags for people to take their goodies home in, and also i would put a 'how to take care of your jewellery' sheet in with the bags too.

I think thats it, apart from take a helper! or ask your mum to help you out, its suprising how long it takes to set up and put stuff away etc, and when people are buying and while your wrapping goods up, she can help out at the table where the goodies are.

You will have a great night, try to not get to nervous (like i did lol) i was shaking and frightened to death when i did mine lol.

And lastly, good luck, take pics once youve set up before everyone comes, and dont forget to let us know how you get on!

Carol XXX

oooo calculator! great idea!!! I have roped my two younger sisters into helping out and am paying them in jewellery. and i've typed up a stock list of everything i've made and numbered everything too.

i work in sales so hopefully will be able to sell my jewellery. getting nervous now!!

Youll have a great time! I love doing parties, theyre a good way to sell - you sell more on these nights than other places i think.
Also, let them know that you'll do any commissions to match any of their items or something theyve got at home.
And definately a piccie to show us.
Once youre set up youll be fine - its the before bit thats worse!!!

Good luck.

Hi Princess, First good luck tomorrow night, I'm sure everything will be fine. When I do parties I usually do a raffle, £1.00 for 5 tickets, and I give 3 prizes, a necklace, a bracelet and a pair of earrings, they go down a bomb! I have never made less than £12.00 on a raffle and my initial outlay is usually about £5.00, one party made over £20.00 in raffle money! It's just a thought, you could make them just for the raffle or take them from stock.
Sue.

I have my first party in August, so all these tips are great for me too The raffle is a brilliant idea. I have just had a marketing launch, and I had three items where people had to guess the price of each - they were all new designs. I gave a prize of jewellery - of course! It was a valuable piece of marketing to see whether you are pricing your jewellery correctly.

I am sure it will all go swimmingly. Remember not sure what age group these people are - but get e-mail addresses or contact details etc, so that you can update them on upcoming fairs etc that you are doing.

Also and I know I have to do this, but it does scare me, is that you want to try and get some of party goers to give parties of their own, so that it becomes a good source of income. So a little note on what the advantages are ie what incentives you are offering the hostess.

Good luck though, and please let us know how you got on.

best regards
catherine-emma

Good Luck!!!

Have lots of fun, take lots of pics and let us know how you got on.

Oh and how did you make earring stands????

I wish you the best of luck and I agree, as someone who has never done parties, these tips are fascinating, and a great for someone starting out.

Hope the party goes well, I am hoping to start doing these soon but even the thought makes me nervous.
I suspect the more relaxed and happy you are the better things will sell but how you get yourself relaxed and happy without too much wine etc I don't know.
Remember to wear eyecatching jewellery yourself.
Mary

How did the party go hun? Did you sell lots?

Carol XXX

Yeah, how did it go?

hi Shahlaa
i hope your party went well, cant wait to see some pics
germaine