an addition to my previous question:
How do you guys like to display lots of necklaces? My line is lots
of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The necklaces are mostly long,
24", 26", 30".
How do you suggest creating an interesting display for that?
It’s an indoor show, one 6" table, of course I’ll use crates and
such to raise the height.
Thanks!
Elaine
Great resource for this kind of thing:
I think a dress form is an interesting and fun way to display any
kind of jewelry and it doesn’t take up much space. Just my two
cents…
Mary Young
Elaine,
I will be interested in other people’s suggestions. I used to do
quite a few local craft shows, but can’t do the heavy lifting of
screens, tent etc.
any more. I will be doing an indoor show in December, also with a
table only.
I have screens made of louvered doors cut into two units where the
solid cross piece is. That makes two screens of different heights but
small enough to go on a table. To make sure they don’t get tipped
over, we screwed angle irons to the outside bottom back edges, and
use c-clamps to secure them to the table edge. This also stabilizes
them so than you can adjust the amount you widen the angles.
You can slip folded cards over them with earrings etc., especially
if you are not in a windy location - they do catch the wind and go
sailing! You can also slip curtain hooks over the slats and hang
necklace boards on them. This is fairly limited as far as a number of
necklaces you can display as well as the lengths, so you might want
to have something different like a wire unit covered with cloth -
black, or something neutral that shows off your work. Then you can
use those sharp curtain hooks to pierce through onto the wire
crossbars and hang the necklaces from them.
I also put necklaces that have a visually strong pendant in open
necklace boxes with the chains just sort of bundled up and a tag with
price and description tucked into the end of the box. They can lay
along the front of the table with room behind them for standing
necklace boards for shorter more delicate items to be displayed.
But most of all, have lights shining on your work. This is
incredibly important! Tell the organizers that you need electricity.
Clip lights on the top of your units, whatever. Goosenecks with
clamps and plenty of extension cords, and try to be sure your
booth/table is near an outlet.
Take a multi-plug thingy so that you can share with others if
necessary.
I’m always looking for better solutions, but so far this works for
me. Good luck,
Noralie
Elaine - I have made all my own displays just because my jewelry is
so different it looked out of place on traditional displays that are
store bought. I have iron displays I cut with a torch and welded
together-- rusty and aged looking/all different heights. I have barn
board displays aswell which might be a little easier to make
yourself. Many of my own necklaces are very long as well so I have
long displays or hide the chain in theback. I will say that my
display at an art show looks like a custom store but that took years
to accomplish.
I have glass cases for all pieces over $400. The displays in the
cases are just a flat routered piece of barn board, linen, ect. very
simple butpulls everything in from around it. My glass cases are
from dynamic displays. I am in no way affiliated with them but I do
really like their displays. They pack down into a box flat and work
great. If you want to contact me offline about them I could go on
and on about what you need from them and what you don’t depending on
what you are using them for, examt have to purchase them… I
almost never use the locking doors. In different situations I can
see where you would need those. Dynamic displays areexpensive. It
took me a few years to break down and buy them and it was a good
decision. They look very professional and they travel.
Hope this helps. Again feel free to contact me offline. Have fun at
your show! It’s an adventure! 
joy kruse
I have a lot of necklaces, and for a while I was using very shallow
standup folding cases I made, about 16 X 20 inches, and hung the
necklaces from pins or small nails at the top of the cases. but
recently I became annoyed that most of the space was used by the
chains hanging down.
Last winter I made a two part folding case of wood with shallow
shelves, and on the shelves I put angled displays with slots at the
top, and the chains hung down in back. I put velco strips on each of
the shelves with the other velcro part on the bottom of each
display, to secure them better. This enables me to display a lot of
necklaces fairly securely.
I also made a lighting unit that velcros on top of the case, made
with Ikea undercounter lights.
Here is a picture of the unit, without the lights:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep81lx
And the displays I use, these and smaller ones like them:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep81ly
Janet Kofoed
Janet, Thank you for sharing your way of displaying necklaces. I
participated in a show recently, and had most of my jewelry
(silver), in glass cases. However, I did have some displayed in an
opencase on the table, and those were the ones that got the most
attention. People stopped, and picked up a piece they liked, asked
for a mirror, and a sale was made. There were a number of jewelers at
the show, and I noticed that those who had all of their jewelry in
open cases, or laid out flat on the tables made the most sales. I
have two more shows coming up and am giving serious thought to having
more of my work easily accessible to the customers.
I also noticed that when I showed the price on the pieces in the
glass cases, it seemed to generate more sales. Some considered it
"tacky," to display the prices, but those were the pieces that
people asked about, and wanted to try on. My biggest problem is good
lighting for my cases. I use the ugly elbow lights with halogen
bulbs. The light they give is excellent, but I would like to have
something more aesthetic than the elbow lights which clamp onto my
cases. I will appreciate any suggestions as to what to use. Alma
Here’s a thought about this question: Is it a good idea to display so
many necklaces? I’m not saying it isn’t, but it’s a question I’ve
been wrestling with in my own display. I am convinced that a
relatively spare display looks much more appealing, classier.
There’s always that feeling that that one piece I didn’t put out is
the one that last customer would have bought.
But I also know it is hard to see any one piece when there are many.
I once heard someone’s case described as looking as though it was
"everything they ever made". Oooh, ouch!
Anyway, whatever you do should be (IMO) the result of conscious
choice, just not an unconsidered reflex.
Noel
I have also found using open-fronted glass cases with prices visible
leads to the most sales. Even my $2,000 piece goes in the open case.
Only thing I’ve ever had stolen was - are you ready? - a Christian
cross! Go figure!
On lighting, I’m moving totally to the little battery operated LED
lights. You can get them in strips and singles, and with lights that
you can aim. The ones I use the most are the small black singles,
and I can aim them right at what I want to highlight. Great lights,
don’t need a power cord. The ones I use are black, and as my table
covers are black they blend right in and vanish. Nice. Looks REALLY
good!!! I get my at Lowe’s, one of the big box home improvement
stores.
The longer ones I use on top of my glass shelving - again, they
vanish, and since they don’t generate heat really they are fine on
top of the glass.
Saw a photo recently of someone who had fabric covered styrofoam
sheets, and draped the necklaces over that, so the backs were on the
back side of the styrofoam. Then she could pin them in place on the
back where it didn’t show, and all the customer saw was the lovely
pendants. Lightweight, cheap, looked great! Need to try that!
Beth Wicker
Three Cats and a Dog Design Studio
bethwicker. com
Hi all
my wife makes a lot of necklaces and displays them on jewellery
busts and flat on the table. They all have a price tag.
I display my Argentium silver in an open topped display case each
piece has a price. I have found people like to be able touch the
jewellery and like to know the price.
all the best
Richard
I display jewelry in the open at craft fairs. But I have a flat
glass and walnut case as well for the bracelets. At the shows I do
people seem to feel a case is a requirement. Also some of these
shows are competitive and a certain display style is expected just
to pass the jury. I rarely win any awards but I have a few. I am
there to sell jewelry. Which I do.
I display pendants on black velvet like necks from AC Moore.
Good luck,
Don Meixner.
Here's a thought about this question: Is it a good idea to display so many necklaces?
An excellent question, thanks Noel! That is a good point.
–also theft
The core problem with display is the tension between wanting
customers to “touch it, hold it, bond with it” and the very real
possibility of theft. At street shows where there will be a lot of
customers in the tent I have to have someone else with me because it
really takes two sets of eyes to make sure the jewelry won’t walk
away. Indoor shows, and shows where there is a certain amount of
self selection of the customers, it isn’t so much of a problem.
I do have flat glass covered cases on the tables also. The covers
are easily lifted up but they provide enough of a barrier to light
fingered people that theft is not a problem from them, because it is
very apparent when a cover is being lifted. There are also several
necklaces displayed on standing neck displays. This focuses
attention on very special pieces.
The most theft prone pieces are the rings, which I display in flat
cases with glass covers which I can lift to show them. My attention
is on these customers very sharply since they are juggling small
items. I sell a lot of rings, but I do have to work at it.
Alma, as for the lighting issue, Ikea has a lot of small table
lights which are perfect for jewelry displays. If you have one in
your area it is a perfect place to shop for lights.
Janet Kofoed
I am convinced that a relatively spare display looks much more appealing, classier. There's always that feeling that that one piece I didn't put out is the one that last customer would have bought.
Golly - I know that feeling, Noel! I love to see elegant, well
spaced pieces, gracefully displayed and properly lit, and it’s what
I try and aim for. But yes - what if one of the pieces I didn’t
display would have been the perfect choice for the customer who left
empty handed?
The thing to do, I think, is to note what type of piece the person
is looking at and then chip in with “I have another piece that I
think you might like…” and go at it that way.
And make sure you have pieces immediately to hand - the customer
isn’t going to want to wait while you fumble about in your boxes and
packaging.
Janet
I’m finding this thread extremely interesting, and would like to ask
if others might not be willing to share photos of their show
displays?
Linda in central FL
[Edit]
How can I share files and pictures with the list?
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ftp
Or… send the files to the attention of service@ganoksin.com and
we will upload them for you…
[/Edit]
I also noticed that when I showed the price on the pieces in the glass cases, it seemed to generate more sales. Some considered it "tacky," to display the prices...
I don’t agree that showing prices is tacky - just a small label
attached to each piece with a neatly written price is essential in
my view. I mostly use small white dumbbell labels, and pricing is
discreet yet easily seen. Before I wrap the piece, I cut off the
price tag.
People can be embarrassed to ask prices in case it’s more than they
can afford. Further, they will often assume they won’t be able to
afford it if something is unpriced. If there’s a discreet price
label, they might very well find that yes - they can afford that
lovely pendant, and you’ve made a sale!
But keep it tasteful - no fluorescent yellow 2" square labels with
prices badly written in thick felt tip pen; definitely no
star-shaped or splash-shaped fluorescent pink labels screaming SALE!
and absolutely NO exclamation marks.
Janet
Thanks again Janet for the suggestion that I check out Akea for
lights. Fortunately we have one in my city. About tags with prices. I
agree with you. I use very small tags and the price is marked just
large enough for the customer to read.
Alma
The most theft prone pieces are the rings, which I display in flat cases with glass covers which I can lift to show them.
I have what I think is a near-perfect solution for this, though it’s
a bit of a pain to set up. I “stole” the idea from a gallery showing
at SOFA (so not my own original idea) which had multi-thousand-dollar
rings shown this way.
A pedestal can be topped with a display that has rows of little
holes in it. Each ring is held by a piece of tiger tail or some such
that then passses through a hole and has a weight on the other end of
the cable, a foot or so down. People can pick up and try the rings
while they are still attached, then the weight keeps them standing
straight up and visible.
This display attracts a LOT of attention, and people love that they
can play with all the rings without asking to have them taken out.
When one is bought, I snip the cable and tie it around a pen or some
other place holder until I can put in another ring. If the cable
falls through, it’s a real PITA. On the other hand, if a theif
snipped one, the falling weight would make noise and attract
attention. It has not happened as yet.
The hardest part was the question of what to use as weights, plus
also how to prevent the hanging cables from tangling. At first I used
anything I had around since they were not visible, from bits of
plumbing to doorknobs. Too heavy a weight makes it hard to try on a
ring. A couple ounces is probably about right, though I haven’t
weighed them.
The worst experience with this display was two middle-aged ladies at
a show that offered free wine. They discovered that they could pull
the rings out and let them go. They just LOVED it when they snapped
back into place with a loud THOCK!
I wish I could figure out a comparable way to display necklaces and
pins, but those still go in glass cases. Still, I think the
accessible ring display is a great ice-breaker.
And if you noticed I didn’t say what I now use for weights-- it is a
problem I still haven’t found the ideal solution to, as I am not
willing to spend a lot of time or money on it. In the best of all
worlds, I would use a pedestal with open sides and make lovely
weights out of beach pebbles or glass blobs, so people could also
enjoy seeing them go up and down as the rings are lifted and put
back.
Noel
Noel,
Fishing weights make the ideal solution for the ring weight problem.
All different sizes and inexpensive. Jeweler friends of mine
designed a display, similar to what you described, The rings rested
between long rows of padded ‘pillows’ of velvet, like a long slot
(similar to commercial ring trays). They were tied to strong fishing
line, which was threaded through holes beneath the pillows and tied
to the fishing weights. When the rings were replaced by customers,
they did not make a disturbing noise, because they would slip down
between the rows of padding.
The rows of padding were attached to a wooden board (if I remember
correctly, the entire board was framed, like a frame for a painting,
so the ends of the pillows were hidden). The board was placed on a
pedestal whose top was open to receive the board and was slanted for
better visibility by customers. Since my friends primarily featured
rings, there were at least ten slots, approximately two feet wide,
for holding and displaying their many rings. They could attend to
showing their other jewels, while customers ‘played’ with the rings.
Certainly a savvy customer could bring a pair of scissors and snip
off a ring, as you mentioned, the sound of the weight landing
beneath the board would alert anyone instantly. My friends never
seemed to have had this happen, or anyone just tearing the fishing
line (fishing line is very strong, by necessity).
Hope this description helps,
Linda Kaye-Moses
Noel, Go to Bass Pro, buy big sinkers. Don