Invite all your friends. Recruit your family members to help you make your home sparkling clean — or at least clear out the majority of the dust bunnies! Make a few simple appetizers and chill the Chardonnay. It’s time to throw a jewelry party!

Now, before you panic and think, “Oh, no, I’m not subjecting my friends to a sales pitch or a recruitment scheme,” we’re not talking about that type of home party. Nope, we’re talking about jewelry that you make yourself. Even better, get a group of your jewelry making friends together and host a massive, mega jewelry party at home! 

Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Have Plenty of Stock

If you only have a few pieces of jewelry ready to sell, it might be better to wait until you have made some more. You don’t want to regret not having an ample supply of your beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. 

This is why coordinating with other jewelry makers (or even friends who knit, make greeting cards, paint, sketch, or make other art and craft works!) is a great idea. 

Display Your Stock Attractively…

Of course, you’re not going to just leave everything in a jumble, or pile it into plastic organizers for everyone to sort through as though you were hosting a rummage sale. Take each piece out, clean it if necessary, and decide how best to display it.

Don’t have professional display racks? No problem! Since you are probably already handy with tools and raw materials, it’s also fairly easy to make more traditional display options like boards or racks.

Or you can always get creative and think outside the box. Hunt through your kitchen to repurpose items like a wooden pasta drying rack, a tiered cake stand, wine glasses or goblets, or bud vases.

Head to the thrift store for funky statuettes, frames, shelving units, and other pieces that you can use to display different necklace lengths or styles of bracelets. And don’t forget to set out and/or hang plenty of mirrors so that guests can see what certain jewelry items look like on them!

…And Spread It Out

When you take your wares to a festival, fair, or craft bazaar, there’s a big disadvantage. You are limited by the size of your table or booth. That means you have to cram everything into a small space, which can make it harder for people to browse.

Not only that, but while the size of these events is potentially great for your sales and exposure, it can also mean that there are not just crowds, but crowding. If there are too many shoppers jammed in together at your booth, others will pass by.

At a home jewelry party, you have much more room to spread out! Use side tables, coffee tables, shelves, and wall displays to arrange jewelry. Having so much space also lets you sort pieces by type, color, style, or price — whatever you think will work best.

Having a larger number of small displays, rather than one big table where everything is laid out, makes it much easier for folks to browse. Rather than feeling as though they have to go down the line like they’re at a buffet, they can take their time and admire everything fully.

Make It a Party!

Another difference between a bazaar or festival and a jewelry party at home? It’s — well, it’s a party! So be sure to make it a fun, lighthearted atmosphere.

That starts with appetizing food, such as:

• A grazing board of charcuterie, cheeses, fruits, and nuts
• Elegant finger sandwiches or crostini
• An assortment of dips, crackers, and vegetables
• Miniature desserts — try an all-chocolate theme!

Drinks are all part of the fun, too. Keep things simple and pick up a few boxes of wine or make a big batch of punch. There’s no need for a full bar. Do remember to have plenty of non-alcoholic options on hand, though.

Plain water and flavored seltzers are always welcome for designated drivers and those who simply don’t care to drink.

Intersperse the food and drink stations with the jewelry displays to encourage plenty of mingling. Have napkins and small trash cans at every turn, as well. 

Set the Atmosphere

You’ll want to dim the lights a little bit, but not so much that folks can’t see your beautiful jewelry. Alternatively, use plenty of spotlights, holiday lights, or even electric candles to create atmosphere and provide light. It’s probably best to stick with non-scented candles, in the event that some guests have chemical sensitivities.

What about the music? It ought to be lively and cheerful, but not too raucous or loud. This is not the occasion for Sing Along Hits of the Seventies or The Best of Headbanger’s Ball.

Depending on the crowd and your aesthetic, consider classic jazz, EDM, Celtic voices, French cafe favorites, baroque, or chillhop.

Now, the Nitty Gritty

If you have done all the legwork, the actual selling part will be a breeze! People will be eager to buy your jewelry. Make this process easy, and folks will be guaranteed to go home happy!

Designate a good friend, spouse, or responsible teenager as a “cashier” — and have them wear something easily identifiable, so you can point them out in a crowd. 

If you are already established as a small business and have a Square account or another way to accept credit cards, by all means, do that. Otherwise, have plenty of small bills on hand to make change. A stash of business cards to hand out is also essential.

Inspired to Throw a Jewelry Party At Home?

You should be! Parties are always fun to plan, and a jewelry party at home is a great, low-stress way to sell your wares. Just remember to invite lots of people, keep the mood mellow, spread out your gorgeous goods, and — most importantly of all — have fun!