How to cost/present your jewellery?!

Its often been a consideration of how to present my jewellery when selling it and how this contributes to cost. I like to create jewellery that is affordable, wearable and stylish but wont break the bank! So, I try to keep my costs to a minimum so I can pass it onto customers. I look at some people who make jewellery and the prices they offer their stock at and am amazed...ok, its hand made...ok they possibly use silver instead of silver plate but....wow. I know this a controversial topic and that beaders of the world will shoot me down but when you are trying to compete with shops to flog your stock then you must be competetive.


I think, when pricing my jewellery...would I pay that? Would I go into a high street store and pay that price?! Ok, I know they aren't really comparable, mine is hand made, by me, not a little boy in a sweat shop in china...and my materials are not bought in huge wholesale stacks but really are these things on our consumers mind when they buy the stock?! So...I tend to try and make and price my stock between £3 and £20 (£3 for earrings and £20 for a silver and swarovski necklace).

I try to think about what are my costs....how long did it take to make....and try not to charge more than X 100% of my material costs.

So...when it comes to adding in extras it bothers me...such as boxes for presentation or bags etc.

I want to make my jewellery look nice, I want it to look professional and people to get a good impression of it, however, every cost must be factored in. Its a true balancing act.

I have generally tried to avoid boxes and ribbon for my jewellery, although on request by a customer at Christmas I boxed a SILVER charm bracelet with a swarovski and silver charm cluster in a box, tied with purple ribbon (that was my most expensive piece to date....£35!) and nice, special pieces deserve a special touch I think.

My general, budget pieces are a little less packaged though and I think they still look nice.

I generally wrap them in tissue paper - silver or white and tape them. A special touch but not expensive. I generally do not factor this into my prices as it is negatable but looks like a little gift...

A set consisting of a swarovski necklace and earrings I sold at £15. I wrapped in silver tissue paper, the customer was happy and I did not have to factor in £2+ for a box...tissue paper...postage...which would have taken the set up to a price which was getting to the top end of my range and a price I would not feel comfortable charging...the same product but for £5+ more!?!

I did learn my lesson the other week though. A colleague at work offered me some organza bags for my wedding to put my favours in. I accepted and enquired about what she wanted for them. She said she did not want anything for them. Well, I thought it would be nice to pass some jewellery onto her so decided to give her a swarovski pendant....

I would normally retail this product for around £12 but in a tizz and with not having tissue paper in the house I just put it in a small plasitc pop shut bag that I received some beads in. On receving it I also did not explian to her that it was my pendant and about my beading and jewellery making....whilst grateful...I think she was a little confiused of where it came from and its quality! Eeek....a potenial cutomer lost by presentation.

So...what do you do?! The comission I have just finished for my friend and her mum I have used some of the organza bags procured from my colleage as it is for my best friend and her for her Mum's birthday present...no cost either but if I had bought them....then...but then it is special!!! :/

Conclusions then before I stray into my Derren mode! Packaging...makes your product look professinal...but cost is a factor....wthis eats into your profit or is passed onto your customers in an already competetive market....it needs to be a balance!