Selling your bead jewelry by consignment is a common practice done by both the beginners and professionals in the industry. Consigning your creations takes more than just going to a shop or gallery and showing them your work. You must remember that consigning is a two-fold deal: the shop or gallery gets the merchandise to sell, and you get your creations displayed and, hopefully, get them sold. It is like 2 faces of a coin – one is the shop that needs to display innovative, unique, and good quality items. The other side is you and your designer bead jewelry. You would want to sell your craft at the best price possible, and be seen by people who would want to buy it so you can make yourself a living.

When you consign your bead jewelry to a shop, you will wait for them to be sold before you can make any money. If you are a beginner, you cannot expect to be paid before selling your jewelry. There are a few instances where galleries buy bead jewelry from the very famous jewelers and pay them outright. Depending on the deal with the shop owner, the price paid by the buyer will be split between you and the shop, and the percentage may vary from the usual 60% for the artist and 40$ for the shop to 50/50 or 80/20.

With this percentage, you put the effort, the craftsmanship and your expertise; the shop puts the recognition, location and their sales power. Shops and galleries are always looking for exciting and new jewelry to sell, with innovative design from an honest and reliable jeweler. Your consignment deals should first meet your own needs and wants and should also boost the sales of your bead jewelry creations. Consigning is a good way to build a reputation; it markets yourself as a jewelry artist.

Following are some guidelines in selling your beads jewelry through consignment.

1. Before approaching a shop or gallery, you must first set up a meeting with the owner or whoever is in charge. Bring with you some samples of your jewelry, including the stationery and all the tools that you will need for the deal.

2. Talk directly to the manager or shop owner. It is always best to talk to someone who has the power to decide, rather than try selling your stuff to the sales clerk of the shop.

3. Do not start the conversation by saying that you want a consignment deal. Simply offer your work and wait what they will say. You never know what they might offer to you.

4. Listen emphatically and carefully to the owner’s wants and needs. Do not brag about your being a great jeweler, nor insist upon your selling requirement and policies. But you can inform them objectively about your experience, education and honors that you may have received. If the owner is open to discussion you can negotiate other types of arrangements, other than consignment. Honestly talk about the prices of your bead jewelry.

5. Have a positive attitude when they reject your work. Leave your contact information and walk away with a smile.