Business and Marketing Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

To Copyright or Trademark That is the Question

The differences between copyright and trademark, and which to choose to protect your creative designs, are explained by Daniel Grant from Handmade Business magazine.

20 Little Known Tax Break Tips

Discover 20 secret tax break tips for small business owners and self-employed individuals. Maximize savings, so you can enjoy more of life's leisure moments.

Traveling with Beads

All the other places you can create: bus stop, train ride, automobile, etc. Beading is as portable as knitting, so here are ideas for traveling with jewelry-making supplies.

Charm Bracelets

Charm bracelets are no longer a thing of the past! Learn more about how this trend is experiencing a resurgence in this article.

Find Your Audience!

Pin-pointing your niche market is a little like finding a needle in a haystack. On its own, your handmade art or craftwork--the needle--is shiny, creative, and one-of-a-kind.

Jewelry Displays That Attract Buyers

Whether you're setting up for online photos, retail jewelry displays, or a craft-show booth, it's important to set the right stage for selling your jewelry.

Perceived Values

I suggest you price the work to be attractive to you--profitable. I've written about this before and devote a chapter in my book to getting the price right. Basically, all pricing must start with accurate information about the cost of materials.

Creative Freedom

Discover the individual stories behind a community of gifted entrepreneurs that are adorning the world, piece-by-piece.

13 New Rules of Handmade You Need to Know

Selling handcrafted wares can be a daunting prospect. Here are 13 expert tips from professional sellers to help you achieve success in your business.

Jewelry Maker's Guide to Gift-Giving: 10 Things Every Gifter Should Know

Gift-giving can be stressful for all of us at times. This article gives you ten tips to help you in your gift-giving endeavors.

Tell Me a Story with Jewelry

One of the strongest elements of jewelry sales is story. Learn how to incorporate story elements into your jewelry brand with this article.

Display Dilemmas

Learn easy solutions to common display dilemmas when selling your jewelry.

How To Highlight Your Handmade Products

Shows are for showing off. Set your products up for sales success to avoid being lost in the crowd with these tried-and-true practices.

Can Your Craft Business Support a Family?

Tired of your day job? It might be time to start exploring the idea of full-time self-employment through your home craft business. Consider these factors before making the leap.

So You Want to Make Beaded Jewelry

Here's everything you need to know to make jewelry to sell, gift and wear. Discover the basic tools and supplies you'll need and find resources to get going.

The Importance of Booth Display

Selling designs at a craft fair or trade show can be stressful. This article discusses the best ways to use booth space to draw customers in and encourage sales.

How to Write Stunning Item Descriptions

Being a business owner comes with many hats--designer, PR specialistic, accountant, artist but also marketer. Giving products an artful and seductive description is a powerful tool.

Selling Your Jewelry: Price-Per-Wear Concept

This article explores the intriguing concept of price-per-wear and demonstrates how it can inspire your customers to invest in more luxurious jewelry pieces.

Stockpiling Stock

Explore strategies for selling discontinued products, emphasize the importance of conscious decision-making and get tips such as slashing prices, conducting flash sales and more!

Wrap Up Holiday Sales with Style

Holiday packaging is an essential but often overlooked part of the jewelry gift experience. Make sure your products look their best in customer-convenient gift wrap.

Are you a Hobbyist or in Business?

Thriving in any artistic endeavor can be challenging, and the complexity intensifies when the IRS scrutinizes your motivations. This article will guide you through.

5 Simple Tricks for Photographing Jewelry

This article delves into the nuances of achieving stunning photos of small, intricate subjects, such as jewelry, with minimal equipment.

How to Sell Your Handmade Jewelry on Facebook

Facebook is one of the largest players in the social marketing world, and on the internet as a whole. Read on to learn how to use this platform to the advantage of your business.

Take it Off: All About Jewelry Storage

When you take off jewelry, what should you do with it? Here are tips for jewelry storage that keep design inventory and personal pieces looking their best.

How to Sell Your Handmade Jewelry Online

It's never been easier to sell your jewelry online. Discover how to set up shop, compare costs and get expert business tips to find your best-selling fit among the top sites.

Selling Precious Metal Jewelry in Accordance with U.S Law

Being transparent by adhering to U.S. laws and regulations when selling precious metal jewelry informs customers and creates trust. This article emphasizes the significance of accurate hallmarks and quality marks to guarantee purity and fineness, and highlights the distinctions between terms like "plated," "finished," and "electroplated" according to legal standards.

Grow Your Own Jewelry Business

This article guides aspiring jewelry business owners through the process of growing their venture, from crafting a mission statement and business plan to marketing strategies, sales venues, customer service and more.

A Guide to Jewelry-Making Jargon

Though a bit confusing at first, jewelry-making jargon helps customers and artists communicate effectively. Take a look at this brief guide to some common phrases and descriptions.

It's Showtime: Preparing for Your First Craft Show

Get ready for your first craft show with a detailed checklist from start to finish. Go from novice to expert quickly!

Marketing with Displays: Color Theory

According to the psychology of color, people are emotionally affected by different colors and combinations. Learn how to use color theory to boost your jewelry marketing efforts.

A Better Bottom Line with Promotional-Quality Gemstone Beads

Promo beads can make your wallet and your customers happy. Read on to discover how these gemstone beads can enhance your jewelry designs as well.

NO Rules for Making and Wearing Jewelry

Rules, schmules! This fun and informative article takes five outdated jewelry and fashion guidelines and turns them on their heads.

Pricing Your Jewelry Designs

Figuring out a pricing structure is difficult, but vital to your business. This article provides the information you need to ensure you’re not selling yourself short.

Rogue Winterfest

Discover how Fire Mountain Gems supports three local mental health organizations through their involvement in Rogue Winterfest.

Natural Beauty

Organic materials come from living things. Knowing their origins and cultivation techniques will allow you to confidently assure your customers that you've considered every detail of your design.

Craft Fair Preparation: Ready, Set, Sell!

A craft fair or craft show is a great venue to display your talents, meet customers and make money! Craft fairs are temporary settings to test the waters where you can reach your target audience. It's certainly less of a commitment than acquiring a permanent retail space and then deciding that venue isn't for you. Shows, fairs and bazaars are a wonderful place to interact with customers and other artists.

Add to Jewelry Sales with ''The Lipstick Effect''

Make it easy for a shopper to say ''Yes!'' to your jewelry. Find out how to boost your jewelry sales using the psychological phenomenon of the "Lipstick Effect."

A Jewelry Maker's Portfolio

Put your best bead forward and easily share your work with a jewelry makers portfolio. Learn tips and tricks to creating your own in this helpful article.

Ask the Experts Selling Q&A

Q: Hello! I have a question about how to market my fine silver pendants: With the rising cost of precious metals I often find it difficult to sell my pendants for the price I want if I consider the chains that go with them. I really want to sell my pendants "as is" without a chain to keep costs down, but I feel if I do that it hinders sales since people want to wear the pieces right away or they don't have a chain of their own. Should I just charge more and supply a chain? Or should I keep my prices affordable and skip the chain? I was thinking about using a cord or something since it would be cheaper, but I'm afraid it won't mesh well with the more formal look of my pieces. Help?

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Ask the Experts Acquiring a Wholesale License Q&A

Q: I don't have a question about jewelry-making but I was wondering if you could tell me how to go about getting a wholesale license? I have no idea how to go about this and I have had no luck searching the internet.

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Ask the Experts Supplies for Resale Q&A

Q: I was wondering if people buy your pendants and supplies and sell them as their own? That wouldn't really be their own design, but they'd still be selling it. Is that still okay?

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Ask the Experts Selling Q&A

Q: Pricing: I have read and followed your suggestions on pricing, but am still unsure if I am fair, too low, or too high. I have seen some very nice work on an artist's website and found similar work priced quite low, considering the high end beads and components used. Back to square 1—how else can I determine if I am fair? Thanks for your help.

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Ask the Experts Kumihimo Q&A

Q: I'm trying to learn Kumihimo, but I'm not sure what kind of thread I should use. Do you have any suggestions for me?

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Ask the Experts Jewelry Displays Q&A

Q: I have been selling hand-made jewelry for about 12 years at shows and festivals. I am looking to get some new display items. I was wondering given the fact that half of my shows are outside and in the mountains, if the leatherette displays hold up better than the velvet ones? Going hand in hand what would be the best color to display brass or other mixed metal jewelry on, White or Black? I mainly have black velvet ones and they seem to collect dust and dead plant bits, which show up like there is no tomorrow when I am doing an inside show. Thoughts?

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Ask the Experts Holiday Gift Planning Q&A

Q: When preparing for the holidays, how far out should I be presenting holiday designs? Thanks for your help.

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Five Secrets to Successful Phone Photography

Learn the secrets to successful jewelry photography using your phone with Chris, one of our professional photographers. In this five-part series, he shares expert tips on shooting metal, making facets stand out, placing light, choosing backgrounds and displays, and the importance of a fill card.

Video Length 10:31

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Getting Started with Jewelry-Making

We all start our jewelry journey somewhere, but with so many resources it's difficult to know where to begin. Sit with Fire Mountain Gems jewelry-maker Rose as she walks you through 6 simple lists, outlining everything you need to get your new hobby (soon to be obsession) up and running.;

Video Length 10:10

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Sell Your Jewelry With the Right Displays

Learn how to sell your jewelry with the right displays whether you are preparing for online sales or craft fairs.

Video Length 24:33

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