Tuesday, August 28, 2007

My New Product Case!

I'm always amazed at how random encounters or events start their own chain reaction, resulting in decisions & actions I didn't foresee in my life. This particular chain reaction began with The Tan Lady, a shopper who visited my table at my first craft fair. In fact, unquestionably the brightest spot in my day as a seller at the Fremont Craft Market. (But to really appreciate the importance of The Tan Lady, you must read my first 2 posts dated August 8 & August 12. She's worth the read :)

Several friends have asked me if I followed up on the boutique lead The Tan Lady gave me. I'll leave you in suspense for now. But I will say that I began the process. I Googled everything I could find about how to pitch my jewelry to a shop owner. Of course, every article mentioned the need to look professional. With years of experience dealing with professionals, I think I've learned how to be professional, even if I know absolutely nothing about sales & marketing. I mean NOTHING! I can even adopt a casual-chic facade, if I must, but I still planned to pull my beautiful jewelry out of ziplock baggies, stacked in a plastic file box. Did I mention they would be stacked neatly? But Google resources said ABSOLUTELY NOT!

A few Googles later, I found what's called a Product Carrying Case, which comes in all shapes, sizes, materials, & prices. My only strong preference was that it needed wheels! The fabric case I bought was surprisingly inexpensive, BUT all the trays -- 17 of them -- would be pricey. Everything from plastic, to wood. Then you buy liners to fit inside each tray, sized for specialty items -- rings, necklaces, or earrings, for ex. Then decide how plush you want the velvet surface of the liners? It's just money.

So here's my new jewelry image -- case unzipped to show some of the trays in their stack & case closed with 1 tray still out.


What's the verdict? Would you buy jewelry from The Woman with the
Black Case? To be continued...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you had crappy jewelry the case would not make a difference. But with your jewelry the case makes a huge difference compared to the plastic bag systmem.

-Dorothy

sherrie said...

And you are on your way! It is a matter of process and time. Right? the right time for you and the process of learning and having a little experience under your belt.It always seems it the first step that is so hard and then we do take it, we wonder why we didn't do it sooner. :)
Sherrie

Anonymous said...

Cher Cheryl, a professional looking case certainly won't hurt. I think it goes a long way in showing that you take your jewelry, which is lovely, seriously. First impressions count.