Ever since I began jewellery making I have relied on to areas of expertise. The first my Technology degree and the other my wealth of retail knowledge from years in retail management.
The number one priority in any business has to be giving the customer what they want. Surely that is something we all strive to do in business. Sometimes the customer may not know what they want until you show them options and other times they know what they want but they struggle to explain the idea to you. Either way if you are to make a success of any business then surely you need to satisfy your customers.
I have just been verifying the business pinterest account, when I noticed some beautiful creations which any jewellery guild would be only too happy to display. I started to become interested in a few designs from the point of view of an artist but then I stopped and thought who would wear them? I think a lot of today's budding jewellery designers dream of the big makes, but what troubles me is, how they can possibly hope to turn a profit with these pieces. I can day dream about making them and maybe one day I will do something similar but try to approach a project asking myself:
-Who will buy it?
-Where will I sell it?
-How soon will I sell it?
-Will there be a market for it?
-How long will it likely take me to design and make?
-How much will the materials cost?
-Can I source the materials?
-Can I justify the above in order to make this item?

I recently did a fair where I expected to be the only Jewellery Stall and it turned out I was one of 5 Jewellery tables. At first I was a little annoyed but I had paid for my table and well if life deals you lemons make lemonade. So I got on with it and I had quite a good day all things told. I definitely believe we had the more successful table.
What made it a success?
Firstly, I was uber prepared. I had plenty of stock to choose from and I had extra for when Items sold.
Secondly, I had designs people would wear. I was hitting the current trends while still giving people variety and an fresh approach.
Thirdly, value for money. The quicker I can make an item the less I charge for my time. The cheaper I can source materials the cheaper I can sell the items for.

If you want to make a business a success, sometimes thinking outside of the box is the way forward... Know what your customers want. Know where to source the materials as cheap as possible. Watch how long it will take you to make it and ask yourself if you can justify spending that time. Make sure you have as many places as possible to sell your items. Believe in yourself...