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Having made beaded jewelry since I was around twelve years old. I've sold in consignment shops, craft shops and at craft shows, as well as, on ebay. After years of this I must admit that ebay is the easiest and safest way to sell. Plus there is the added opportunity of reaching so many bidders and buyers through the Internet.

I live in a state where nothing much sells if it doesn't have something to do with race horses or football. So for me, the Internet and ebay, have been a blessing.

With consignment and other shops, I have had many pieces stolen. It's so easy for someone to walk out with a pair of earrings or a bracelet. With ebay, you can sometimes track down your non-paying bidders and contact them by phone or snail mail. Or you can leave bad feedback for them or block any non-paying bidders. You don't have to send a buyer the jewelry if they don't send you the money.. With a shop, there is no way to know who stole your crafts or jewelry.

You can auction off your work on ebay or open a store. You can sell at a fixed price or allow the potential buyers to make an offer for your work.

I've found ebay to be pretty secure and efficient after 7 years of selling. I don't recall ever selling as much at a show or in a shop. I like that fact that I have access to many countries where there are potential bidders.

Of course, there's no guarantee your pieces will sell; ebay is full of handmade jewelry, but I have had some to start with a moderate bid and sell high. Others I have had up there for seemingly, ages and still haven't sold, so, I still do sell some in consignment shops, as well as, on my own website. Overall, I think ebay and other on line auctions are great, but I don't eliminate, by any means, the opportunities that stores and shops provide. However you decide to sell, keep your options open so that you can find what works best for you.

Learn more about this author, M. L. Kiser.
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