Store Fixtures

Any fashion boutique owner who has wrestled with ideas on how to boost sales or struggled to give their retail environment an effective facelift needs to check out ‘Mary Queen of Shops’ on the cable channel BBC America.

Featuring fashion industry specialist Mary Portas, a fixture in the London retail fashion scene for over 20 years who is touted by the program promoters as being the ‘Gordon Ramsey of the retail’. In the series, Mary focuses on independent boutiques that are operating in the red, not turning a profit or at least very close to the line and demonstrates various branding, merchandising and retail concepts to turn their business fortunes around.

Check out Mary Queen of Shops on BBC America’s Fall schedule Wednesdays

Retail merchandising is a powerful tool and can dramatically increase sales if done right.  Display potential clothing combinations together,  aim to group items together on the racks to create colorful and contrasting rhythms that are well composed visually.  Not only does this simple method draw attention to the items displayed, the visual order will harmonize within the space.  Grouping strong colors artfully together and dividing them up with the insertion of neutral colors breaks up any visual monotony and projects a strong and decorative presentation.  This merchandising technique works on display racks, wall displays, and display tables.

The mini dress form display makes a wonderful display for necklaces and fashion accessories.  This perfectly scaled velvet covered pinnable form also allows you to pin multiple broaches and fashion pins for display.  It’s a great alternative for displaying your collection at craft fairs, trade shows and even for displaying and organizing your personal jewelry at home!

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The Operating Basics
Now is a great time to start a jewelry making business.  It is quite possible to build a successful jewelry business using very little start-up capital simply by utilizing your own creativity and making use of the many online resources you already have access to. Today, sourcing product for a business is easier than ever before. Gaining access to materials, tools and expertise begins with a click of a mouse.  Here, we offer information on how to get started and a variety tips and information on running a successful home based jewelry business.

Choosing a Name for Your Business
When creating a name for your business, there are a number of things to consider.  Does your name describe what it is that you are selling?  i.e. – Sandy’s Jewelry Designs, Lisa’s Jewelry Company, Jewelry Essentials, etc., although not the most important thing, it may help identify your business and can play a useful role if you plan to develop a website.  Having a description in your name (i.e. Jewelry or some connotation thereof) can make it much easier for potential customers to find you online simply by this keyword.  Make a list of at least 10 different potential names for your business, this may sound excessive but when you come register your name, you will be surprised how often a name is already registered.  Once you have identified the name you intend to use it is time to register it both online and offline.

Register Your Business and Obtain a Resale License
The most common business entity or type of business to register for a start-up or home based business, is a sole proprietor or a DBA (Doing Business As). This is the simplest business entity, you can always evolve into a partnership, LLC or Corporation once your business starts to see some growth.  For additional information on incorporating view the following link:  www.business.gov

Sole Proprietor/DBA – This is a business that is operated and managed by an individual, who is liable for all debts and obligations pertaining to the business.  If you are using your legal name (Mary Smith) as your business name, you will need to file a Schedule C along with your regular taxes to declare that income.

If you would like to name your business something other than your own name,  i.e – Luxe Jewels, you will need to get a DBA.  Contact your local city hall or hall of records to find out the necessary documents and forms to fill out and register. Some or all of this information may also be obtained from your local city administration website.

Once your DBA is registered, you can open a separate bank account under that name and accept checks and other forms of payments made out to your business.  Having a separate business bank account helps when tracking business expenses and deductions.

Resale License – This is necessary if you intend to purchase products and supplies at wholesale prices.  To acquire this license contact your local city hall or hall of records.

Accepting Credit Cards For Your Business
If you find you find need to process credit cards but you are not ready to sign a contract for a processing terminal or commit to an online credit card processer then consider the following options.

Propay – A simple way for small or home based business to accept credit cards.  No equipment terminal needed and transactions can be processed directly from your desktop, laptop or web enabled device, this is perfect if you plan on doing craft fairs and trade shows.  Visit www.propay.com

Paypal – Is well established and highly regarded for its online security record. It can easily be used to collect payment for a website and useful for sending secure invoices by email that can be used to make payment.   Visit www.paypal.com

Accepting Checks
If you do decide to accept checks for your business, be aware, that this form of payment can pose greater risks. Be cautious when accepting checks at tradeshows and craft fairs etc. If you find yourself in a situation where you have accepted a check which the bank won’t honor, all is not lost.  Most states run a check restitution program that will allow you to report the check usually through your local District Attorney’s Office this will set in motion a standard procedure that may take time but will allow you to reclaim your money – minus the processing fee. For more information check your local District Attorney’s office online.

Coming soon!
how to start a jewelry business – Developing your jewelry business objectives

$296 available at subastralinc.com

Merchandise shoes, handbags, folded jeans or shoes on this versatile display. The oval shaped 3 tier display table is constructed out of high quality wood-grain melamine and built for solid use. It is suitable for use within any type of retail setting to merchandise everything from apparel to electronics!

These distinctive clothing store displays provide a charming decorative accent and are perfect for merchandising t-shirts, lingerie, swimwear and various accessories.

Attractively designed with scroll details, they are not only functional, but are great eye catching interior features which are especially useful for promoting specific items and capturing the consumers attention.

For Jewelry designers who need a quick and portable display for trade shows and craft fairs, this jewelry display is not only eye catching and easy to maintain, during hectic shows, but will set you apart from the completion .  Pre- Designed to display many various types of jewelry; from bracelets, necklaces watches and earrings, this all in one jewelry display from Subastral Inc., makes merchandising accessories simple, especially for retailers/designers who need their jewelry to be accessible without being under lock and key.

 Merchandise prior to shows and wrap the display in bubble wrap for transport, this will make set up a breeze and allow you to focus on those additional little details to make your booth stand out.

This display is constructed of wrought iron in a pewter color with decorative scrolls and finial.   The revolving frame allows for easy access of items on either side of the display.

Subastral Inc’s wrought iron necklace displays are designed to suite a variety of merchandising needs. These countertop style display stands are simple to use and provide optimal presentation value while conveying quality and contributing a charming decorative accent.

The double sided necklace stand with scroll top (N164) is perfect for organizing all types of necklaces from chunky beaded designs to delicate chains. This display is sturdy and will support large amounts of jewelry when the merchandise is distributed evenly.

The scroll-form stand (N167) is a one sided necklace display that beautifully showcases both beaded and chain necklaces. Necklaces can be hung from one bar or over two bars for optimal merchandising results.

The T-bar display with scroll base (N166) is perfect for merchandising delicate chain necklaces and is an attractive alternative to the standard ‘T’-bar.

Decorative bracelet displays designed to attractively display watches, anklets and bracelets in a stylish, organized manner. Each design has been carefully created to give sound, optimal presentation for these types of accessories.

B131 – Small Bracelet Display
This display is angled so that bracelets can be hung over both bars if required to accentuate the angle of presentation to the viewer.

M163 Bracelet Display
Holds a number of accessories in addition to bracelets; this display also holds key chains, cell phone accessories and charms etc. It has a decorative round split ring positioned at the top of the display that works as an optional sign holder.

Both displays are sturdy, easy to position and ideal for countertop positioning within your retail environment.

Purpose designed earring displays handcrafted using solid wrought iron.  These upright designs possess a solidity that gives them stability. Easy to use attention-getting styles constructed for use in a busy retail environment or for use at a home jewelry party, craft show etc.
 

E107 – Small Counter top Earring Display.  This compact design holds 16 pairs of earrings and is suitable for environments with limited space or for displaying within a cabinet.
 

E120 – Earring Card Display.  This sturdy upright earring display rack will hold 40 x 2″ earring cards or 80 x 1″ earring cards.  Perfect for use in a boutique environment and compact enough for travel to home parties or craft events.
 

E125 – Large Earring Display Rack.  Holds 75 pairs of earrings on a single rack-style display unit with piercings to hang earrings through. This display can also be used to display earrings on cards in the same manner as style number E120.