We had the best spot EVER to set up ... right across the street from Radio City Music Hall! We have never seen so much foot traffic. As usual, people were very friendly and we had a blast!
Our neighbors on the left side were two Italian guys from Brooklyn selling Zeppoles ... basically deep fried balls of dough coated in confectioner's sugar. They were fresh, hot and FABULOUS. On the right we had a kid from Mexico selling hand knitted sweaters. That's what is so great about these fairs ... they reflect the NYC melting pot - so many different cultures here adding to the mix is awesome ... trying all the different foods is making me gain a few unwanted pounds but its so much FUN!
Sure, we sold some stuff ... but after talking to lots of other merchandise vendors I realize they aren't selling much either ... people come to these things to walk ... and EAT!
I think we'll be looking for a different venue to work outside next year. The experience is a good one though ... and it satisfies my curiosity about these fairs ... but they are not shopping destination events.
On another note ... we have set up two online venues off our site to showcase our handcrafted items. One of them is on a "mall" site, and the other is an Etsy shop. We will not be selling our regular "commercial silver jewelry" on these sites - just handcrafted or "altered" items.
Here they are:
Our Main Street Mall store - Closed. Not worth the time, effort or expense!
Our Etsy Shop - Still going on Etsy!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Selling jewelry on the streets of New York City ...
Well, it has been a wild summer. I really wanted to keep up with this journal, but I just haven't had the time. The street fair thing has been a real experience; we have learned a lot! Terry and I have tried a lot of ways to set up, we've tried different merchandise ... its not at all like selling online.
At first we brought eight glass and aluminum showcases. We sold very little.
So we ditched the cases. We sold more, but ... it seemed people were looking for less expensive things. A lot of our jewelry is priced in the $20 - $50.00 range, with many pieces priced much higher. People loved the stuff; they just didn't want to spend that much on an impulse buy. So we bought stuff we could sell for less than $10.00, and found it sold a LOT better. Stuff like stretch bracelets, gem chip jewelry, shell necklaces etc. Lower priced silver chains and bracelets do sell; but not as well as we thought, considering that silver jewelry is currently very fashionable. New York has always been a gold and diamond town ... silver jewelry never has sold well here. But costume jewelry sells like crazy in NYC. There is no middle ground. Jewelry has to be VERY expensive - or VERY cheap.
The fairs we're doing are basically a neighborhood "pedestrian mall" type affair. We really expected big crowds, especially in Manhattan, but the people running these street fairs don't promote them very well ... so we get mostly people who live in the neighborhood just out for a walk mixed in with a few New York visitors (tourists). I have to say people are VERY friendly - and MUCH more honest than we expected! Last week a mother and daughter came in. The daughter tried on a ring ... and forgot she had it on her finger. They talked with us for a while, then moved on. A half hour later, they came back - and returned it!
So, we are finding our "niche" so to speak. And we're having a lot of fun! We get to meet lots of people from outside NY, and have become friendly with many of the "regular" vendors. So far we've been caught in the rain twice, but the weather has generally been very good. In all, a very positive experience!
UPDATE:
No more street fairs. Fun but a financial loss. Concentrating on our website!
At first we brought eight glass and aluminum showcases. We sold very little.
So we ditched the cases. We sold more, but ... it seemed people were looking for less expensive things. A lot of our jewelry is priced in the $20 - $50.00 range, with many pieces priced much higher. People loved the stuff; they just didn't want to spend that much on an impulse buy. So we bought stuff we could sell for less than $10.00, and found it sold a LOT better. Stuff like stretch bracelets, gem chip jewelry, shell necklaces etc. Lower priced silver chains and bracelets do sell; but not as well as we thought, considering that silver jewelry is currently very fashionable. New York has always been a gold and diamond town ... silver jewelry never has sold well here. But costume jewelry sells like crazy in NYC. There is no middle ground. Jewelry has to be VERY expensive - or VERY cheap.
The fairs we're doing are basically a neighborhood "pedestrian mall" type affair. We really expected big crowds, especially in Manhattan, but the people running these street fairs don't promote them very well ... so we get mostly people who live in the neighborhood just out for a walk mixed in with a few New York visitors (tourists). I have to say people are VERY friendly - and MUCH more honest than we expected! Last week a mother and daughter came in. The daughter tried on a ring ... and forgot she had it on her finger. They talked with us for a while, then moved on. A half hour later, they came back - and returned it!
So, we are finding our "niche" so to speak. And we're having a lot of fun! We get to meet lots of people from outside NY, and have become friendly with many of the "regular" vendors. So far we've been caught in the rain twice, but the weather has generally been very good. In all, a very positive experience!
UPDATE:
No more street fairs. Fun but a financial loss. Concentrating on our website!
Monday, April 2, 2007
NEW ... 1.5mm wide silver box chain
We added another box chain today. This 1.5mm wide silver box chain is a good choice for a pendant chain. We now offer five different size sterling silver box chains - 1.1mm long box, and classic style 1.5mm, 1.7mm, 2.7mm and 3.5mm silver box chains in any length.
Friday, March 23, 2007
NEW ... 5.2mm Rolled Anchor chain
We've added another new chain - 5.2mm Rolled Anchor silver chain. This bold sterling silver chain is an attractive and strong style that appeals to men as well as women, and makes a great bracelet or short neck chain. Available from 4" to 36" or in any custom length with a standard lobster claw included or your choice of an optional fancy clasp.
Monday, March 19, 2007
NEW ... Silver Madeira Chain
We just added a new silver chain this morning ... Madeira chain. This silver chain is a very solid and strong style that looks great worn by itself or with a pendant. Usually available only as a gold chain, madeira is very attractive in silver and is a classic looking design sure to please just about anyone who loves silver jewelry. Of course, it can be ordered in any length ...
Friday, March 16, 2007
New Products
We have an extensive line of silver chain that can be purchased in any length, and it continues to grow. This week we added two new styles - sterling silver slope chain, and sterling silver charm bracelet (double curb) chain.
The double curb chain is THE classic choice for charm bracelets and charm necklaces. We currently offer a limited choice of charms along with the chain, but we plan to offer many more in the near future. Building a charm bracelet could not be easier or more convenient ... and the charms are permanently attached with soldered jump rings ... no more lost charms!
The slope chain is a "designer style" that is rarely seen in silver. It is a glittering beauty ...
All pieces are finished with a lobster claw clasp - with the option to choose a fancy lobster claw clasp or a toggle clasp instead. In addition to the choice of charm and clasp shoppers can choose any length from 5 inches to 36 inches - and of course, we can make chains any length on request.
The double curb chain is THE classic choice for charm bracelets and charm necklaces. We currently offer a limited choice of charms along with the chain, but we plan to offer many more in the near future. Building a charm bracelet could not be easier or more convenient ... and the charms are permanently attached with soldered jump rings ... no more lost charms!
The slope chain is a "designer style" that is rarely seen in silver. It is a glittering beauty ...All pieces are finished with a lobster claw clasp - with the option to choose a fancy lobster claw clasp or a toggle clasp instead. In addition to the choice of charm and clasp shoppers can choose any length from 5 inches to 36 inches - and of course, we can make chains any length on request.
2007 NYC Street Fair Schedule
Jewelry24Seven.com
Saturday September 15 - The Great Irish Festival -
6th Avenue from 42nd St. to 56th St.
Sunday September 23 - New Festival - 8th Avenue from 42nd St to 57th St
Saturday September 29 - Broadway Autumn Fair -
Broadway form Waverly Place to 14th St.
Saturday October 6 - Union Square Autumn Fair -
Park Ave. South from 17th St. to 23rd St.
Saturday October 13 - 8th Avenue Autumn Festival -
8th Ave. from 42nd to 57th St.
Saturday October 20 - Washington Square Festival -
Waverly Place from Broadway to 5th Ave.
Saturday October 27 - Park Avenue South Autumn Fair -
Park Ave. South from 17th St. to 23rd St.
Saturday November 3 - A.D.A's "World's Largest Block Party" -
Madison Ave. from 42nd to 57th St.
Saturday November 10 - Madison Avenue Holiday Expo -
Madison Ave. from 42nd to 57th St.
silver bracelets for men
Saturday September 15 - The Great Irish Festival -
6th Avenue from 42nd St. to 56th St.
Sunday September 23 - New Festival - 8th Avenue from 42nd St to 57th St
Saturday September 29 - Broadway Autumn Fair -
Broadway form Waverly Place to 14th St.
Saturday October 6 - Union Square Autumn Fair -
Park Ave. South from 17th St. to 23rd St.
Saturday October 13 - 8th Avenue Autumn Festival -
8th Ave. from 42nd to 57th St.
Saturday October 20 - Washington Square Festival -
Waverly Place from Broadway to 5th Ave.
Saturday October 27 - Park Avenue South Autumn Fair -
Park Ave. South from 17th St. to 23rd St.
Saturday November 3 - A.D.A's "World's Largest Block Party" -
Madison Ave. from 42nd to 57th St.
Saturday November 10 - Madison Avenue Holiday Expo -
Madison Ave. from 42nd to 57th St.
silver bracelets for men
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