ADVICE NEEDED

OK so I got married and then got fired. Isn't life interesting?

I still have tons of beads & supplies and more than I'll ever use
personally. So I'm planning on putting a lot up for sale as soon as I can.
Do I ever need the $mulla$!

Here's the advice I need:
What is selling now?
What are the new trends?
Should I sell small lots or big ones?
Are people interested in kits/combos anymore?
Should I try eBay right now, or would Etsy or some other venue be better?
I'm still listing on JustBeads (and having to fix my auctions due to a hack
they recently suffered... if you look at them, some have no pics or
descriptions...)
But I need to branch out some.

Any ideas? Suggestions? Warnings? I've been out of the beading loop for over
2 years really... except for posting here now and then.

Thanks so much and lots of hugs!

--
Karleen Cole
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels web sto http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
Vibrant Jewels JustBeads Auctions:
http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
CLICK HERE to join myYahoo Group:
Ebay Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZvibrantjewels

I can't give you much advice, but I will suggest if you sell on ebay
that you charge nothing or extremely minimal for shipping. I've
gotten so frustrated with the exaggerated shipping costs. Honestly, I
believe it's all a scam. I'd bid twice as much on something with free
shipping than I would for something charging over $2.

Um.. of course, I'm a terrible sales person too. So I'm only speaking
from the consumer perspective.

-m.
www.jewelrybychaddock.com

I usually use Buy It Now on JustBeads and offer free shipping... Haven't
tried that on eBay. Difference in price usually isn't much, and ppl seem to
like it. Just to get it moving, ya know? Thanks!

--
Karleen Cole
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels web sto http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
Vibrant Jewels JustBeads Auctions:
http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
CLICK HERE to join myYahoo Group:
Ebay Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZvibrantjewels
"chaddock" wrote in message
...
I can't give you much advice, but I will suggest if you sell on ebay
that you charge nothing or extremely minimal for shipping. I've
gotten so frustrated with the exaggerated shipping costs. Honestly, I
believe it's all a scam. I'd bid twice as much on something with free
shipping than I would for something charging over $2.

Um.. of course, I'm a terrible sales person too. So I'm only speaking
from the consumer perspective.

-m.
www.jewelrybychaddock.com

Free shipping is almost impossible if you're the little seller without a
large following of repeat bidders. Beads are heavy and once I figure in
the cost of the jewelry boxes/tissue paper/new plastic baggies/bubble wrap
that I send my beads out in, the mailing envelopes, the printer ink and
labels, the cost of gas and time to get to the Post Office... charging $2.50
shipping just about covers all costs.

I'd love to offer free shipping, but it just isn't feasible on items that
sell for $7-$8-$9.00.

--
hugs,
Linda
eBay auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtwolegs
PRE-eBay auctions: http://www.picturetrail.com/bluemaxx

"chaddock" wrote in message
...
:I can't give you much advice, but I will suggest if you sell on ebay
: that you charge nothing or extremely minimal for shipping. I've
: gotten so frustrated with the exaggerated shipping costs. Honestly, I
: believe it's all a scam. I'd bid twice as much on something with free
: shipping than I would for something charging over $2.
:
: Um.. of course, I'm a terrible sales person too. So I'm only speaking
: from the consumer perspective.
:
: -m.
: www.jewelrybychaddock.com
:

Hi, Karleen. As to what is selling now, I've only been selling off my
vintage beads with a few other odd things thrown in, so I really can't
advise you too much... other than the fact that my vintage beads have been
selling pretty well on eBay. Small lots or big lots make no difference if
the beads are interesting or the photo catches the eye of the buyer. But I
have no idea what the new trends are. lol

I tried selling some fall colored vintage beads and no one bought them, so
go figure! Maybe people are thinking of Xmas already? I've thought of
Kits/Combos also... even to including wire, crimps, wire guardians, clasp,
etc. But I haven't seen very many kits on eBay... usually JustBeads was
great for that; at least the last time I sold things there a few years back.

From a shopper's viewpont, Etsy seems to have lower prices than eBay... but
I haven't checked out sellers costs at that website yet. Maybe someone else
knows? But I do think that JustBeads is a little stagnant right now, free
re-listing or not. Just IMHO.

One thing I can recommend for you - at least if you don't have a Mac,
because the program only works with Windows. Go to Google and download
their picture enhancing software called " Picasa ". GOOD pictures make ALL
the difference in selling! With Picasa, you can 'straighten' the pictures,
which basically enlarges the beads in the photo, then you can adjust the
lighting to a brighter shade and with the last step, you can use the
sharpen feature to make the pic really pop. 3 simple steps that really
enhance your auctions! Picasa is Very User Friendly and you can master the
program very easily because there are so few steps to making your pics
better.

Good Luck on whatever you decide!

hugz backatcha,
Linda

--
hugs,
Linda
eBay auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtwolegs
PRE-eBay auctions: http://www.picturetrail.com/bluemaxx
"Vibrant Jewels" wrote in message
...
: OK so I got married and then got fired. Isn't life interesting?
:
: I still have tons of beads & supplies and more than I'll ever use
: personally. So I'm planning on putting a lot up for sale as soon as I can.
: Do I ever need the $mulla$!
:
: Here's the advice I need:
: What is selling now?
: What are the new trends?
: Should I sell small lots or big ones?
: Are people interested in kits/combos anymore?
: Should I try eBay right now, or would Etsy or some other venue be better?
: I'm still listing on JustBeads (and having to fix my auctions due to a
hack
: they recently suffered... if you look at them, some have no pics or
: descriptions...)
: But I need to branch out some.
:
: Any ideas? Suggestions? Warnings? I've been out of the beading loop for
over
: 2 years really... except for posting here now and then.
:
: Thanks so much and lots of hugs!
:
: --
: Karleen Cole
: Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
: Vibrant Jewels web sto http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
: Vibrant Jewels JustBeads Auctions:
: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
: CLICK HERE to join myYahoo Group:
: Ebay Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZvibrantjewels
:
:

I have found etsy to be far more economical--and effective--than ebay. 20
cents gets your item listed for up to four months. And JustBeads is great
too.
Sarajane

I could be very wrong, but it seems to me that beading doesn't have the
interest for many that it did at one time. Or maybe it's just that there's
so much competition... especially since wholesalers have hit eBay. Buyers
aren't going to slog through hundreds of pages to just find MY item, they
are sticking with vendors they know.

I think I'll take Sarajane's advice and try Etsy. Wouldn't hurt...

--
Karleen Cole
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels web sto http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
Vibrant Jewels JustBeads Auctions:
http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
CLICK HERE to join myYahoo Group:
Ebay Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZvibrantjewels
"bluemaxx" wrote in message
. ..
Hi, Karleen. As to what is selling now, I've only been selling off my
vintage beads with a few other odd things thrown in, so I really can't
advise you too much... other than the fact that my vintage beads have been
selling pretty well on eBay. Small lots or big lots make no difference if
the beads are interesting or the photo catches the eye of the buyer. But I
have no idea what the new trends are. lol

I tried selling some fall colored vintage beads and no one bought them, so
go figure! Maybe people are thinking of Xmas already? I've thought of
Kits/Combos also... even to including wire, crimps, wire guardians, clasp,
etc. But I haven't seen very many kits on eBay... usually JustBeads was
great for that; at least the last time I sold things there a few years back.

From a shopper's viewpont, Etsy seems to have lower prices than eBay... but
I haven't checked out sellers costs at that website yet. Maybe someone else
knows? But I do think that JustBeads is a little stagnant right now, free
re-listing or not. Just IMHO.

One thing I can recommend for you - at least if you don't have a Mac,
because the program only works with Windows. Go to Google and download
their picture enhancing software called " Picasa ". GOOD pictures make ALL
the difference in selling! With Picasa, you can 'straighten' the pictures,
which basically enlarges the beads in the photo, then you can adjust the
lighting to a brighter shade and with the last step, you can use the
sharpen feature to make the pic really pop. 3 simple steps that really
enhance your auctions! Picasa is Very User Friendly and you can master the
program very easily because there are so few steps to making your pics
better.

Good Luck on whatever you decide!

hugz backatcha,
Linda

--
hugs,
Linda
eBay auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtwolegs
PRE-eBay auctions: http://www.picturetrail.com/bluemaxx
"Vibrant Jewels" wrote in message
...
: OK so I got married and then got fired. Isn't life interesting?
:
: I still have tons of beads & supplies and more than I'll ever use
: personally. So I'm planning on putting a lot up for sale as soon as I can.
: Do I ever need the $mulla$!
:
: Here's the advice I need:
: What is selling now?
: What are the new trends?
: Should I sell small lots or big ones?
: Are people interested in kits/combos anymore?
: Should I try eBay right now, or would Etsy or some other venue be better?
: I'm still listing on JustBeads (and having to fix my auctions due to a
hack
: they recently suffered... if you look at them, some have no pics or
: descriptions...)
: But I need to branch out some.
:
: Any ideas? Suggestions? Warnings? I've been out of the beading loop for
over
: 2 years really... except for posting here now and then.
:
: Thanks so much and lots of hugs!
:
: --
: Karleen Cole
: Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
: Vibrant Jewels web sto http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
: Vibrant Jewels JustBeads Auctions:
: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
: CLICK HERE to join myYahoo Group:
: Ebay Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZvibrantjewels
:
:

We had an extended discussion once - I think it was here, but it might have
been in another NG!!! - about packaging.

I was impressed by some strategies where ppl had their own boxes printed,
and always wrapped up the product like a gift. If I were selling "high end"
jewelry to a niche clientelle, I think this would be a great idea.

But it seems to me that selling beads and components in small, inexpensive
lots is a different breed of cat. I believe in securely packaging items... I
usually wrap them in bubble wrap, and put them in a bubble envelope... But
I'm wondering if the gift box thing is really necessary. And most of my
products are paid for via PayPal, so I purchase the postage online and then
just put the package in my own mail box. That saves a lot of cost. All you
have to do is pack it and weigh it and PayPal calculates the cost. On heavy
items you can even do this before you put them up for sale and adjust your
price accordingly. Some people who don't charge for shipping recycle
packaging, but I'd rather stick to new in most cases. Of course, I'm not
trying to tell you what to do, just how I save a little money.

IRL, shipping isn't free and you have to account for the cost somehow. But I
think ppl would rather know up front what their total will be, rather than
having to make tricky calculations on the fly. I do resent vendors who
charge $8 - $10 and up to ship one small item. I think that's excessive and
I tend NOT to bid/buy those items.

I do give international Buy It Now customers a shipping discount, but have
to charge something even on BIN b/c it's too expensive a cost to eat.
HTH
--
Karleen Cole
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels web sto http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
Vibrant Jewels JustBeads Auctions:
http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
CLICK HERE to join myYahoo Group:
Ebay Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZvibrantjewels
"bluemaxx" wrote in message
. ..
Free shipping is almost impossible if you're the little seller without a
large following of repeat bidders. Beads are heavy and once I figure in
the cost of the jewelry boxes/tissue paper/new plastic baggies/bubble wrap
that I send my beads out in, the mailing envelopes, the printer ink and
labels, the cost of gas and time to get to the Post Office... charging $2.50
shipping just about covers all costs.

I'd love to offer free shipping, but it just isn't feasible on items that
sell for $7-$8-$9.00.

--
hugs,
Linda
eBay auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtwolegs
PRE-eBay auctions: http://www.picturetrail.com/bluemaxx

"chaddock" wrote in message
...
:I can't give you much advice, but I will suggest if you sell on ebay
: that you charge nothing or extremely minimal for shipping. I've
: gotten so frustrated with the exaggerated shipping costs. Honestly, I
: believe it's all a scam. I'd bid twice as much on something with free
: shipping than I would for something charging over $2.
:
: Um.. of course, I'm a terrible sales person too. So I'm only speaking
: from the consumer perspective.
:
: -m.
: www.jewelrybychaddock.com
:

I will second etsy. I sell my polyclay beads pretty well there with
almost no outside advertising. Of course I have a niche market and a
following, so that helps too. But as Sj said, 20 cents isn't a bad
price. They do charge a FVF but it's reasonable as well. Nothing like
eBay's inflated costs!! You always have a "gallery" pic in searches and
you don't have to pay extra. Feedback works the same way it did on the
"old" ebay system.

But they do say to advertise yourself. etsy doesn't have the traffic
that ebay does and you do need to try and get the word out yourself
about your shop.

I think the beading trend is falling to the wayside. I've heard about
shows that used to be huge not having many people anymore. But the
economy sucks, so that plays a big factor.

Have you tried selling on Craigslist? I sold a nice little lot of beads
I no longer needed a few months ago. It took a while to weed through the
no-shows but it finally sold for the price I wanted it to. Just be sure
to write "firm" on your listing there, if you don't want people to
haggle with you. And best of all is that it's free to create a listing!

Valerie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.valerie-moore.com
http://valeriebeads.etsy.com
http://valeriesews.blogspot.com



Sarajane Helm wrote:
I have found etsy to be far more economical--and effective--than ebay. 20
cents gets your item listed for up to four months. And JustBeads is great
too.
Sarajane

Great ideas! Thanks Valerie

--
Karleen Cole
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels web sto http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
Vibrant Jewels JustBeads Auctions:
http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
CLICK HERE to join myYahoo Group:
Ebay Auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZvibrantjewels
"Valerie" wrote in message
...
I will second etsy. I sell my polyclay beads pretty well there with
almost no outside advertising. Of course I have a niche market and a
following, so that helps too. But as Sj said, 20 cents isn't a bad
price. They do charge a FVF but it's reasonable as well. Nothing like
eBay's inflated costs!! You always have a "gallery" pic in searches and
you don't have to pay extra. Feedback works the same way it did on the
"old" ebay system.

But they do say to advertise yourself. etsy doesn't have the traffic
that ebay does and you do need to try and get the word out yourself
about your shop.

I think the beading trend is falling to the wayside. I've heard about
shows that used to be huge not having many people anymore. But the
economy sucks, so that plays a big factor.

Have you tried selling on Craigslist? I sold a nice little lot of beads
I no longer needed a few months ago. It took a while to weed through the
no-shows but it finally sold for the price I wanted it to. Just be sure
to write "firm" on your listing there, if you don't want people to
haggle with you. And best of all is that it's free to create a listing!

Valerie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.valerie-moore.com
http://valeriebeads.etsy.com
http://valeriesews.blogspot.com



Sarajane Helm wrote:
I have found etsy to be far more economical--and effective--than ebay. 20
cents gets your item listed for up to four months. And JustBeads is great
too.
Sarajane