Thanks everyone for your input.

Mountain Ash -- thanks for the vote of confidence and an interesting angle. I do many special orders (bridesmaids etc.) but don't want to concentrate in any particular niche. Although signage in the display might plant that seed.

Sandpiper: Most of my sales come from in-person shows. Galleries would be next and online last. I think there are 2 reasons: 1. people like to see and touch jewelry more than they like to look at a picture; and 2. if you google "hand-made jewelry" -- I can't remember exactly, but it's over a million results. 10 million?? The bulk of my online jewelry sales come from here, my scrabble partners, and friends of existing customers. In other words, word of mouth. Surprisingly, many more people find me when they're looking for supplies -- but that's just a form of cash flow, and not anything I'd want to do full-time.

Kathy: thank you SO MUCH for the telephone call! smile Your comment about the cost of internet advertising is a good one -- I didn't realize how much it costs to attempt to rise out of the huge ocean of jewelers online. I wrote down your other points and will bring them to the attention of the gallery director and the board.

Eagle, I love your optimism! The diversity of my products has always been a strong selling point. I think it would be here too.

Dotsie: I've been to the gallery on a Sunday afternoon. Foot traffic trickled. What I was told is that the greatest foot traffic is in early evening because of popular restaurants nearby. There's no jewelry on that block but it does sell throughout the entire area.

The three jewelers currently on display: two (including the one who will pull out) have a mostly higher end product, with a smattering of less expensive earrings that might be comparable to mine. Both of them have absolutely gorgeous work. Neither has sold a thing since the 3 1/2 months the gallery opened. Laguna Beach is an arts town with the income to support high-end items. Maybe because the gallery is still relatively new so hasn't attracted that clientele yet? The third jeweler has (to me) really boring work with $20-50 price range, and has sold some although not a whole lot.

I know I can sell jewelry. What I don't know is how long the economy will be rocky, and how long it will take for this gallery to take off.

Thanks again everyone for you input and words of encouragement. I'll keep you informed.

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My handcrafted jewelry:
limited edition designs
more jewelry, plus bead supplies

Poet and essayist