OT etiquette question | Arthritis Information
As some of you may know, I make jewelry on the side. Its all sterling
silver and swarovski crystal. I typically just display it and sell it
at the office I work at. I just made up a whole bunch of new pretty
things as my inventory was getting low because I was too ill to work on
it. I plan to send out a letter and drop copies of it off at some of
the local places by the office that I know people at.
I
thought I would get some pretty paper and write up a thing saying that
I have made up all this new jewelry, how it would be the perfect
accessory for your spring wardrobe or for a mothers day or graduation
gift, blah, blah, blah.
Also thank my boss for allowing me to
display my wares at the office and while you are here, why not check
out the new sunglasses we got in, yadda, yadda, yadda.
My hopes
is to drum up enough sales to pay for my insurance cap on my medical
treatments, which is 00. Now, most people know that I have been ill
and struggling and such. Would it be improper/rude/just not cool,
whatever, to make mention that all proceeds from the jewelry sales will
go to help pay for my medical treatments?? I really need the money but
don't want to offend anyone or whatever. I am not the best at the PC
stuff so thought I would ask what you guys thought. Cool or not cool?
personally I like the idea of letting people know the profits go to your medical costs. You certainly aren't begging, they are buying good products. And some might be motivated to buy maybe if they know it isn't going to frivolous stuff...
Just don't get tooo whiny sounding... something like "thanks for your support, proceeds to help defray medical expenses."
I think it is great you are feeling better and back to doing things you enjoy! This is a tough call on how to present it, though.
I think it is great that you have plan to help make extra money to go to towards your medical expenses, and I think your friends will, too. But....putting it on the flyer that will be seen by more 'customers' might make them feel guilted into a purchase? Could you just let that info get out by word of mouth? I think your friends will be supportive and share that with other people, but you aren't 'on the record'.
And that way, you avoid somebody seeing you in a new pair of shoes and going, "Hey! I thought she was buried in med bills!"
I think I go with Suzanne on thisI wouldn't put that info out there. I look at it this way. What money you make on the jewellery is yours. Why would you feel the need to let people know how you'll use this money?
I would just advertise and leave it at that. Personally, I would feel uncomfortable if I were buying and knew that much personal information (medical bills, etc). You earned the money, so spend it on whatever you please. BTW, any pics? I'd love to see what you have made.
PhatsOk, thanks for the input. Hubby thought is was tacky but I wanted to see what others thought!!
Will is using the camera to put up some stuff on ebay but as soon as he is done, I will post some photos! I had all my jewelry on a jewelry tree but the silver was too exposed and tarnished quickly and that met a lot of cleaning to keep up with. So, I went back to displays. I think it looks nice. When I cleaned the office I redid all my displays and it looks nice in here!
I would have to agree, leave out the personal medical info. Usually when you see things being sold for that type of purpose, it is being done by others for someone else in their community. Even though I think everyone would find it admirable that you are working hard to be self-sufficient and not ask for charity, it might make them unneasy for you to put it out there like that, that it is for yourself. There are so many scammers out there, I sometimes get a bit turned off if I think there is any possibility of impropriety.
I have a good friend who is selling jewelry, and she has gone to small jewelry or specialty stores and sold her pieces outright to them. They let her know what sells best for them, based upon their clientele, and what they want from her; so she is producing things she knows they want and will purchase. When she creates a new design she takes it to them to see what they think, and then takes orders. She is doing very well.
I hope this works well for you. Jewelry is always popular and never ceases to be in demand. Gearing up for spring with all the proms, graduations, confirmations, Mother's Day, etc. sounds like a great idea. I agree with Phats, I would love to see some photos!
You go girl!!!
michele, I agree with the others on not putting it in the advertising. However, if you have some repeat/regular friendly customers who come and buy something, I don't think it would be out of line to thank them afterwards and mention that it is really going to help with your medical bills, if that's what you'd like to do. That way it wouldn't come across as guilting/begging because they've already made their purchase, but they may feel even better about having made the purchase, and might mention it to their friends or coworkers.Good idea's! I have gone to a few hair salons on Saturdays and set up a table but its been a while since I have been well enough to do that! But maybe after another infusion or two, I will have the energy to really get after selling it again!
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