Selling jewelry to friends

I was at a reunion last weekend.  44 years since I was an exchange student with 19 other people.  I was wearing some of my jewelry as I always do, and had listed my "profession" as a jewelry artisan in the update material.  Several people admired my work, and a couple of people want to purchase things.  I felt sort of awkward.  Of course I'll sell to them, it is how I make my money these days, but still felt funny.  Anyone else relate to this?  I'm proud of my work, but I wonder if this is a mercy purchase, and if it is, why should I care anyway????
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  • From my experience, people seem to love to buy things from their talented friends.  Then when they get a compliment, they can brag for you.  So it's all a win-win situation. Don't be shy about it!

    I was setting up my tent in the driveway one day for a practice run on a new booth set-up, and one of my neighbors zoomed over to see if I had any of my work out for display.  She went home with a beautiful piece, and I didn't have to lug it to a show.  It doesn't get much better or easier than that.

  • Congratulations on the interest and sales Kathleen!   I've got over that selling to friends problem and happily sell to them - if you want to give a small discount (say 10%) you can, but remember, that's a discount for life as they'll always expect it in the future.    If they like your work and make noises about purchasing it then they're prepared to pay for it :)
  • Thanks, Crystal :).
  • Always be proud of what you do...! If they are admiring it, they will buy it! You are blessed with a talent, and are doing what you love!!! Not many folks can say this!!
  • Thanks, Ruth, Jeanne and Anita.  I have sold to friends before, but friends that I know now.  My reunion friends are people I knew a long time ago.  I also usually give at least a 10% discount considering that I'm not paying booth rental!!!  But for some reason, I just felt more uncomfortable about it.  You all have reassured me and I appreciate it.

  • I can relate to this!  My way to deal with it is to sell to friends at half price.  My sculptures can be a little expensive, so this is a way to make some money and also have the flavor of a gift to friends...
  • Kathleen, you definitely should feel proud that they liked your jewelry enough to inquire. I began selling because my friends at work suggested it.  Now they ask when I'm going to set up my display. I also brought in a selection for my physical therapist at Christmas time.

    I have to admit it was a bit awkward at my cousin's anniversary party. I had come straight from a church fair so my car was loaded. Of course I was wearing one of my necklaces and my cousin asked to see more. I made more $ at the party than I did at the fair. 

  • Be thankful they like your work well enough to spend their money on it. Unless they are very wealthy my guess is that it's not a mercy purchase, the average consumer is watching their money closely these days.  I always wear either my jewelry or my husband's jewelry and I've literally sold the earrings off my ears to my dental hygentist, was asked to bring a selection of earrings / pendants to my full time job one day when some friends were traveling on business and knew I'd be in the office ($300 later we all walked away happy) and have had yet other requests around the holidays to bring in a few items for people to give as gifts.  Be grateful that you can sell without paying a booth fee, standing outside in the rain or heat and keep marketing your own items by wearing them whenever you're out in public!!

     

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