How to handle tarnishing when selling at a shop?

[heidiglo]

Hi all, I did a search for tarnishing and only found one thread so I started this one.

I've been on Etsy for a few years now and haven't had much luck selling, so I just recently started considering getting into a shop with other handmade vendors. I found a place that's a bit of a jog for me but is beginner friendly and I'm excited (and so nervous!) to give it a shot. But there's something that's weighing on me and I've been trying to ask other sellers about it through FB messenger, with no responses.

I make fairly simple beaded jewelry that often contains metal elements like metal beads, charms, and of course hooks for earrings. I keep each piece in its own baggy with an anti-tarnish strip, and that works well for when I make a sale and get to package things up myself. It also includes a note advising the customer to store it that way. But in a shop setting, with everything needing to be on display in the open air, that's not possible. And the cashiers are not responsible for any special packaging. 

I have an earring rack at home with earrings that I made for myself to wear, and I notice that when I hang them on it, the charms and other metal components tarnish. That tells me that my items will likely tarnish pretty quickly while sitting on display in my booth. That would obviously be terrible. I've considered different sprays and solutions but they seem so hazardous and strong-smelling and they're not really known to be a good solution anyway. 

I like to make a variety of styles so there's not one specific brand of metal findings that I use. I'd hate to think that I'm just not professional enough to handle being in a store. With so many people selling handmade jewelry in marketplace-type shops, there has to be some advice on this out there. I'm so worried about it! Would love to hear anyone's input. Thank you!

[caeterle]

I never had my jewelry in a shop, so I can't speak from first hand experience, but I remember one fellow seller saying she actually went by the shop every, now and then to clean her jewelry. That was for the those pieces that didn't sell that quickly. She also changed out items regularly, though.
Maybe you can ask the shopkeeper if they have experience with how often that would be needed or what their requirements are.

If you think about it, mass produced jewelry sits in shops as well and I doubt anyone cleans that, so I think it really depends on the period of time you leave the pieces up and what materials you use.

I did just a quick Google search and found this in a blog.
"Provide jewelry care guidelines for your consignment stores.
Print out or make clear your care and cleaning instructions and offer to clean and brighten up the jewelry once a year to refresh their stock."

[heidiglo]

Thank you so much for that information caeterle. It has been hard to find info so I really appreciate it. Ha, I did actually ask the shop owner the other day about it and her response kind of made me feel bad. She didn't mean to be short with me but the email basically said that no one else seems to have problems with it and, if I do, maybe I'm not a good fit. Yikes!! But after I wrote back to her, her next response was much less brutal and I'm still planning on giving it a shot. Took me down a notch though, that's for sure!

[caeterle]

I understand the first part, Heidi, but the second one would definitely have put me off. After all you just worry about giving customers the best shopping experience.
Good luck with it, may it be the perfect fit for you!

I also expect the others to chime in, I know Dawn sold in shops before.

[DawninCal]

Good luck with your new venture, heidiglo!

Another thing you might consider is oxidizing your pieces with Liver of Sulfer (LOS), which basically tarnishes them on purpose. Many people prefer this look and it does bring out the details and give a beautiful finish. I've linked to a youtube video below that shows the process. The person in the video polishes his pieces afterwards with a dremel, but I use steel wool on mine. Liver of Sulfer (LOS) works equally well on sterling silver and copper. I use it on just about all of my designs as I love the way it looks.



If you don't want to go in this direction, then Cat has given you some very good advice. Just stop by the shop once in a while and polish them up with a polishing cloth.



Dawn

[DawninCal]

P.S. As Cat mentioned, I have consigned in the past and I never worried about tarnish. It never seemed to be a big problem for me, but I lived in a very dry climate which can make a difference. If you live in a humid area or near salt water, tarnish can be more of an issue.

Since the shop owner was rather rude to you, I wonder if you could approach some of the other sellers and ask them what they do about tarnish. Re-reading your original post, I see you already tried that. Maybe if you see one of them in person, you could ask.



Dawn

[heidiglo]

caeterle, it did put me off and I had to just decide if I could get past that just to gain the experience. Thank you for the well wishes!

Dawn, thank you so much for the video and insight! I'll definitely take a look. One maker did get back to me and said she use to have problems with tarnishing but now buys higher quality materials. I'm not quite there yet so I think the polishing and possibly oxidizing may be the best way to go for now.

[DawninCal]

You're welcome, heidiglo!

I'm not sure how higher quality materials would make a difference. Silver is silver and the same with copper. Sterling silver will tarnish just as much as silver plate does. Now, gold won't tarnish, but I don't know many people who can afford to work with gold.

Another thing that I didn't think of until just now is that it's possible to buy wire and components that have a coating on them to prevent tarnish. I don't like to use it because eventually, as the piece is worn, the coating will start to wear off. How long that takes depends on how often the person wears their jewelry and how rough they are with it.

Also, if you did want to use LOS on something made out of coated wire/materials, it won't work. The coating prevents the LOS from doing its job.

And, one last thing, and I mean no offense by this, but try not to overthink it too much. I worry over every little flaw, mistake, things breaking and every other possible thing that could happen and not once have I ever had anyone complain about my jewelry. The way most people are I don't think they even notice stuff like this. You and I might, but the average person doesn't.



Dawn

[heidiglo]

Good info here! I don't take offense at all, that's actually something that my good friend (who also makes jewelry) and I have to remind each other of! We definitely overthink and over worry, so that is reassuring to hear from someone else. 

[heidiglo]

Oh, and I forgot to mention this important detail: this shop owner also wants me to keep prices low. It's just how the place is, it's quirky and there are a lot of low price goods. So I have a hard time imagining spending a lot of extra time getting around this issue when I can't increase my labor costs.

[DawninCal]

Yes, I completely agree about not spending a lot of time on it. That's good that you and your friend have each other to keep each other grounded when you start worrying about things.

Best of luck and do let us know how this venue works out for you!



Dawn

[natz3]

According to me, Here are a few tips to help you manage to tarnish effectively:

Store products properly: Store metal products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture, and chemicals to minimize tarnishing.

Use tarnish-preventative measures: Consider using tarnish-preventative products such as tarnish-resistant bags or anti-tarnish strips to help prevent tarnishing.

Clean products regularly: Regular cleaning can help to remove tarnishes and keep products looking their best. Make sure to use a gentle cleaning solution specifically designed for the type of metal you're cleaning.

Educate customers: Educate your customers about the cause of tarnishing and how to prevent it. This can include providing care instructions and product information on the packaging or in-store displays.

Offer maintenance services: Consider offering maintenance services such as cleaning and polishing to help customers keep their products in good condition and extend their lifespan.

Remember, handling tarnishing effectively is key to providing good customer service and maintaining customer loyalty.

[heidiglo]

Thank you for those tips navigupta

[heidiglo]

Dawn, it has been a few weeks and so far, so good I think. The more time that passes the higher the chances that I'll notice a change, but fingers crossed. I did buy some polishing cloths and put them in my kit for whenever I maintain my booth.

[caeterle]

Good idea, Heidi!