Learn & Promote Your Jewelry Making Here.

Thinking about renaming my jewelry biz

Right now my website is jewelryinwire.com. I have been using Jewelry in Wire for awhile. No I'm worried that it is too specific. I am working on learning some new jewelry making techniques that really have nothing to do with wire or wire wrapping. I don't think the name has enough pop to be memorable.

I'm wondering should I just stick it out and try to build a brand with it or ditch it and start over? Starting over would mean new website and everything.

What are your thoughts?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cherrie Sage on August 23, 2009 at 11:09am: Hi Jewelryinwire,
Even though your name says it all....it doesn't define you. Much like a shoe store sells purses, jewelry and hoisery.

I guess it depends on a few things, like how much $$$ have you already invested in that name and how much of a following do you already have?? I think I would recommend starting over if there is 'bad press' or memories about the name or journey taken. Like one of my old email addresses was a combination of my ex-BF's name...I had that addr for years...but it was bad karma. I had to exorcise him!!

I love wire and it will always be in my collection, even though it may not be the focal point for a season or a particular day.

If you've already invested in business cards, flyers, web-sites, etc...you may want to wait it out....just to get a ROI...return on investment. You could always add to your profile to include your expanding skills.

Or, you could keep the name and start a new store...if it's within your budget.

I've only had my store, shocdesigns.etsy.com for a few months, and my online sales suck. BIG TIME! But I've invested way too much, so I'm being very patient and joining online communities, like this one, to get the word out.

What other names were you considering??
BTW, your wire-work and paintings are very creative.

Thanks for asking and the very best to you!!
Cherries; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spiraling Elements on August 23, 2009 at 12:13pm: Cherrie,

I have had the name Jewelry in Wire for several years. I even have an etsy shop under that name but I never use it. What I use the most is the email I have under that name for joining sites like this. lol. I have just started really putting some real effort into my biz. So even though I have had the name for awhile there isn't any following or anything that goes with it. I have changed my name before, I had the same problem with the last one, no personality and no pop. I have had less than 40 hits to my website in the past several months.

I will always have wire jewelry. Just from the name, you know what the jewelry is made from but you have no idea what the style is. I don't even wear most of the jewelry I make. It isn't my style and I'm changing my jewelry cuz I want to make things I want to wear. I haven't thought of any other names yet.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cherrie Sage on September 1, 2009 at 12:39pm: Hi Jewelryinwire,
Sounds like you are ready to make a move!!
My initial thought is that you could have a "NAME THIS SHOP" contest, where others could offer-up names and the winner would win one of your creations or get a 'mention' in your profile. The entries could spark your imaginations to a name that SAYS IT ALL.

You say you don't wear your designs...I wear everything I make...which makes it hard for me to sell them. But then I read that some have an adversion to purchasing "used goods".

So if 'wire' doesn't say it all, maybe your mindset while your designing will say it.
Perhaps showing your creations to close family/friends, and asking for a name would help.
I asked my family about using 'Twisted' in my design name and they thought it reflected a personality flaw...Ha! I can be a little twisted, so I did not know what the big deal was.

As far as number of hits....40, you say? I'm in the thousands and have meager online sales. I sale most of mine off of my body. Just sold a bracelet yesterday to a waitress, but the tip I left her cut deep into my profits (lol).

Let me know what you decide.

Cherries.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spiraling Elements on September 1, 2009 at 4:25pm: Cherries,

I think I may be going through a mid-life crisis with my jewelry biz. lol. I have realized that I really like helping others get their creative business up and running. I also think I'm spreading myself a bit thin with the two businesses that I'm trying to build. I may think of some way to combined them. I think I have hit jewelry burn out.

I have thought about 'Twisted' before too. lol. I don't ware they jewelry I make because it isn't my style and I don't really like it. I would rather just get rid of it. How bad is that? lol. It is hard to convince someone to buy something you wouldn't even wear.

The contest idea is a great thought. I haven't put a great deal of effort into getting online traffic. I really just need to make up my mind what I'm going to do and then do it. lol.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cherrie Sage on September 3, 2009 at 1:21pm: You are toooooo funny!! Seriously....I want to get where you are...making jewelry I would not wear. My taste is so unusual...I've often felt that it was a hinderance.

When I look at jewelry my friends admire...I'm on the opposite side...so I had to train myself to making 'what the people want' versus what I would wear. I think it's great that you make wares outside of your box. I'm hoping to get there..to expand my reach.
How did you get to that place...??; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spiraling Elements on September 3, 2009 at 2:06pm: I learned how to make jewelry this way and never moved beyond it. I find it hard to sell cuz I struggle to say nice things about. lol. It bothers me cuz I'm not big on conforming to the masses. I would rather serve a smaller niche.

Oh well we will see how it goes. I may buy a domain name that matches my etsy shop and do a little re-vamping.

I think that even if you wouldn't wear ever piece you create you should at least enjoy it enough to say nice things about it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cherrie Sage on September 5, 2009 at 1:21pm: I too, am looking to serve the 'niche' crowd...as I've never purchased FAD jewelry...only the unusual stuff....But I'm thinking I've got step outside of this box and create 'what the people want.' I'm constantly looking at what folks are wearing and I'm magnetically drawn to the expensive and unusual artsy pieces...made from precious stones/gems and gold/silver metals.....which I cannot afford nor have the skill to create at this time.

I'll continue to ask for the business and ask better questions to that 'niche crowd.'

Thanks to all for the honest feedback!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cherrie Sage on September 5, 2009 at 1:32pm: I'm thinking about making 'holiday' jewelry....aughhh!!! You know, snow-man earrings, wreath broaches and red/green wire-wrapped designs...just to penetrate the market. Then there are the 'Causes' designs...pink ribbons for breast cancer...and the like. ABC>>>ALWAYS BE CELLIN' ....lol!!

jewelryinwire said:
I learned how to make jewelry this way and never moved beyond it. I find it hard to sell cuz I struggle to say nice things about. lol. It bothers me cuz I'm not big on conforming to the masses. I would rather serve a smaller niche.

Oh well we will see how it goes. I may buy a domain name that matches my etsy shop and do a little re-vamping.

I think that even if you wouldn't wear ever piece you create you should at least enjoy it enough to say nice things about it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spiraling Elements on September 6, 2009 at 3:29pm: eeww holiday jewelry! lol. Really holiday jewelry is fine as long as it fits in with what you already do. You know, the same style, along the same price range, ect.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cherrie Sage on September 8, 2009 at 10:00am: My response probably belongs in the "what sells in this economy" but I wanted to reply back to Jewelryinwire....Did you say 'eeww??'....I laughed so hard, I spit out my coffee!! Ha! No, holiday jewelry does not fit into my designs....so maybe I'll do just a few and see how they sale. Thanks!!

jewelryinwire said:
eeww holiday jewelry! lol. Really holiday jewelry is fine as long as it fits in with what you already do. You know, the same style, along the same price range, ect.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spiraling Elements on September 8, 2009 at 11:33am: I mean if you jewelry is more high end find a high end way of doing holiday jewelry. Don't do something cheesy or cheap just to get a sale. You don't want your jewelry regular jewelry to get labeled that way.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cherrie Sage on September 9, 2009 at 4:03pm: Yep,,,I know what you mean. You are right....I don't want to 'price myself into a box'...so maybe I'll sprinkle in some simple designs. Thanks for the feedback!

jewelryinwire said:
I mean if you jewelry is more high end find a high end way of doing holiday jewelry. Don't do something cheesy or cheap just to get a sale. You don't want your jewelry regular jewelry to get labeled that way.; ▶ Reply to This