Desert Shine Jewelry on Etsy

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Having Fun with In-Home Shows


While we're traveling this summer, I've been doing some in-home shows. I was surprised how many of my friends were willing to do a show for me. And I have to say, we've had so much fun!

The last one I did was hosted by my Daughter Carrie. (We're staying in her driveway in our RV right now.) She wrote up "Jewelry Open House" announcements and sent them to a few people that she doesn't see often, including a card in each that gave the person 10% off any purchases at the show. She posted on FB that she was hosting a show and giving people the opportunity to "See Lynne's latest designs before she leaves town". Then we turned her living room into a jewelry shop. I placed my tables around the perimeter of the room and set up shop just as if I was doing a booth at a craft show.

Carrie asked if I would be willing to do a door prize; of course I would! So she made up entry forms for each attendee to write their name, phone number, email and a box to check if they'd like to be notified of any specials I have in the future.

We had about 10 people come in and out that night and had a great time. Everyone loved being able to wander around the room (sometimes over and over) to look at everything. They especially loved the "10% off everything, tonight only" offer. We had refreshments, we laughed and talked about the items I've made, the origin of the stones I use and about the materials used in my jewelry. I had 9 sales and received 3 special orders that night totaling several hundred dollars.

One thing we didn't anticipate was how many people said they wished "my Mom" or "My friend" could see the jewelry. I overheard Carrie say "well, don't worry, because we're going to leave this all out for a few days; you can come back tomorrow and bring anyone you want." What a GREAT idea! I've had several other people stop by and buy since that night. I know that this idea isn't an option most of the time, but it started me thinking that maybe I should do the same thing at home once in a while.

If you're thinking of doing in-home shows, give it a try. You don't have to put everything on display and can make your show as small or large as you like. It takes some planning and is work, but it can really be fun.

14 comments:

  1. I've done a ton of home shows and they are very worthwhile! Sometimes I am the featured vendor and other times there might be 2-3 of us but they always work out really well.

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  2. I have done a few at my home, not in other's home,however I have offers....how do you make it worthwhile for your hostess? (Premier gives free jewelry per sales, etc)....looking forward to doing some this fall....I have had great results....

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  3. Your set-up looks very attractive and congrats on the sales! The Open Houses I've participated in have been both fun & successful. Well worth the time spent, door and hostess incentives. I give the hostess a pair of vintage bead earrings of her choice and a % off purchase on a sliding scale by amount of sales.

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  4. Wow, that would be a lot of fun I imagine!

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  5. Congrats on the sales. What a fun way to sell your products.

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  6. Very creative, so glad it is going well!

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  7. I love that idea! And it is your own product! Way more fun!

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  8. What a wonderful idea.... would love to do a home show too sometime! I was thinking around Christmas time.

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  9. Great idea, leaving things in place for a while. New customers are always a plus.

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  10. Great idea! People in our neighborhood have in home jewelry shows quite often. I've never been to any of them but I hear they do pretty well. Congrats on your sales and wishing you many more!

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  11. Great idea! We tried one in our neighborhood at Christmas one year... and unfortunately there was a blizzard! But we still had fun... I mean someone has to eat all the goodies we made!

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  12. It looks wonderful! Congratulations on all your sales. I've been thinking about doing something like that, but never have. Maybe this year!

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