Hosting A Home Jewelry Party: Part 1 - Basics
An alternative to doing craft or art shows is to have jewelry party shows in someone's home. A more intimate setting, home parties allow you to target your clientele and spend more time one-on-one with individuals. Plus, home parties generally last only a couple of hours, so you have much less time invested in the showing.
While you are not paying a fee to a show promoter, you should consider a gift and discounts for the person who is hosting the party. Think about how Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Mary Kay, etc., parties are set up...a small hostess gift (simple Dangle Earrings, Wire Book Mark, Wine Glass Charms, etc.,) and a straight or rolling discount (based on the amount in sales) are great incentive for your hostess! Be sure you communicate up front what your discount policies will be (the gift can be a surprise).
When you set up your party, be sure you clearly communicate responsibilities to your hostess. For example, will you send out invitations, or will she? Who will provide refreshments? Will you need any special arrangements (i.e., set up, lighting, etc.,). When you initially set up a date with your hostess, be sure you talk about these types of items to be sure there are no surprises! Even if you are providing everything, it will set your hostess's mind at ease if she knows things are taken care of.
Two-three weeks before the party: Have your hostess provide you with a list of invitees. Send out invitations (postcards printed on a home computer work great!) at least 2 weeks before the party date Be sure to ask for an RSVP to the hostess (make the deadline a few days before the party date). You might want to note incentives for invitees to bring a friend — a free pair of earrings for the invitee and her guest, or an extra discount.
You should also arrange to have one or two (depending on the number of guests) helpers with you at the party. Helpers can write up orders while you are answering questions or schmoozing about your work...if you have access to any teen-aged girls, they generally "will work for jewelry"!
Two-three days before the party: Call your hostess to get a headcount for the party. Whoever is supplying refreshments should use that as a basis for shopping (remember women tend to eat light). Make it simple and no fuss, but be sure the selections are appropriate to the season and your guests!
Day of the party: Arrive 45 minutes to an hour before the scheduled start time (arrange this with your hostess ahead of time so you don't show up when she's showering or serving dinner!). Set up most of your items — you may want to do a little "show and tell" for some of the pieces, but be sure to have some things set up for folks to browse when they arrive.
After the guests have arrived, do a quick introduction of yourself, the hostess and guests. This is a great time to thank your hostess publicly for opening her home to your party, present her with her hostess gift, and announce her additional discounts. For anyone who might consider hosting a party of their own, they'll start thinking about the advantages up front!
When you introduce yourself, be sure to establish your credibility — tell a bit about how you started making jewelry, your studio, favorite pieces...keep your bio short, but stress that your work is handcrafted. Not all guests may realize that the jewelry they are seeing is not "manufactured"!
If you would like, have a quick ice-breaker game — identification of gemstones, have a contest to name a piece of jewelry, guess gemstone or beads by touch only (have them in a small bag and pass around the room). Hand out a door prize to the winner(s) of the game.
Finally, let the guests browse, try on, ask questions about your jewelry, and visit with each other. It's a good idea to have plenty of mirrors on hand! This should be the balance of your party...I always liked the approach a Pampered Chef representative took with me — she'd do a super-fast presentation and say "You guys are here to have fun and visit, not to listen to me talk." She ALWAYS had great sales too, because the interactive part of the party is the "real" selling part.
You and/or your helpers can write up orders as guests are ready to purchase. Provide an extra discount to anyone who books a party, if you'd like. Be sure to follow up a few days after the party to set a date!
