Getting into wholesale

Dear Orchidians,

I have begun carving waxes for a line of Silver charms/pendants. A
few will be made of white gold. Some will have moving parts. I want
wholesale to a chain of establishments that are not jewelry stores.
The idea is that this is a ‘line’ with my name on it.

Any ideas or suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Here are some of my initial queries:

Anyone know someone who does lot casting in silver? I think these
lots will begin by the dozen of each. Anyone know who does lot
casting in silver and can also do white gold? Anyone know guestimate
pricing for this? I am in Washington, local is good but it is a mail
order world. Anyone know where to get this logo stamp made? I haven’t
decided whether I want my initials converted to a logo or to spell
out my name. I have CAD and could probably use it well enough to
make one and then send the STL to a mill/caster. Anyone know how
much this might cost as opposed to commissioning it over the phone
saying just put my name on it. Does anyone know who and how much?

I have no experience with designing/wholesale/en mass (I would also
do the selling). How would I determine the wholesale/retail prices
on what is to be a ‘designed by’ line? Should I do it by weight? I
am thinking along the lines of James Averey Designs. Would this
necessarily make a silver charm wholesale for more than one out of a
catalog? Or does that happen only after the name is established?

Thank you for any assistance you may have. Feel free to e-mail me
off board.

Jay Gaelen

Good heavens, you have asked for the entire education. Many of your
answers can be found in the archives here, in books, or by taking a
class.

Read Wendy Rosen’s book of Crafts as Business. Subscribe to The
Crafts Report.

Read, read, read, read.

I can’t imagine you’re ready to do what you’re talking about doing
given the questions that you are asking.

And batches of 12 are pretty small for someone who is breaking into
wholesale.

Good luck,
Elaine

Anyone know someone who does lot casting in silver? I think these lots
will begin by the dozen of each. Anyone know who does lot

In Berkeley - Ask for Gabe Sider:
http://www.sierrapacificcasting.com

http://www.donivanandmaggiora.com

In Berkeley - Ask for Gabe Sider:
http://www.sierrapacificcasting.com 

I used to use Sierra Pacific and they have a 100 piece minimum per
finish. You could do 2 pieces from 50 molds if you like, it’s a
minimum on the total order per finish (high polish, tumble polish,
etc…).

Amery Carriere Designs
www.amerycarriere.com

In Berkeley - Ask for Gabe Sider:
http://www.sierrapacificcasting.com 

I used to use Sierra Pacific and they have a 100 piece minimum per
finish. You could do 2 pieces from 50 molds if you like, it’s a
minimum on the total order per finish (high polish, tumble polish,
etc…).

Amery Carriere Designs
www.amerycarriere.com