Spotting a niche market?

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone!

I would love to have some views on this. I did post about this in the main business forum a few days ago, but I would really appreciate some more opinions...

Ok so I have been making my jewellery since I was 4 (I'm 26 now!) and it has evolved much over the years. Last year in August I participated in a bridal fayre with my jewellery, and a bridal boutique asked me if I could make tiaras. I had played around with tiara-making, so I said I could give it a go. The owner of the shop said that getting well-made, well-priced handmade tiaras is difficult, and there is definitely a demand for them (the ones she sold were quite awful, but brides still bit her hand off!)

So I got to making...I made four designs over a number of months, took them to show her and she really wanted to stock my work. The only problem was the trade price she wanted from me - I just couldn't sell them to her for the amount she wanted to pay - it wouldn't even cover my expenses.

So I left the deal on the table, and have been approached by a couple of other bridal houses since then. All have been the same story - they want to pay me such a little amount. So I decided to add my designs to my Etsy shop to see if there was any interest.

Of all of the items in my shop, my tiaras get the most views, convos and hearts. By a LONG mile. I can list a tiara, and within 30 minutes it has had say 15 views. And the best part is...I can list a tiara, and it will still be on the front, or second or third result page even 2-3 days later. There doesn't seem to be many other sellers doing what I do.

So my question is....should I take this as a sign to really build on the tiara side of my business? I have been making lots of new stock since opening up 4 weeks ago on Etsy, and am really surprised at how much attention my tiaras are getting. I'm wondering whether this is an indication of a niche market that I could really work towards being a part of?

Your thoughts on this would be very, very welcome. My husband says I should plough my time and effort now into my tiaras, but he's biased lol!

Thanks so much in advance for your help x

[Former_Member]

Sounds like people like them but aren't willing to spend the $ to make it worth your while? Can you rent them rather than sell? Not on Etsy of course, but through bridal shops or something like that? People rent formal wear all the time...

[Former_Member]

Hi Bottlecrop!

Thanks so much for your reply :0)

I'd not thought about renting them tbh...could be something to look into.

The ironic thing is...the tiaras the bridal boutique were selling were £100+. And they were mass-manufactured, and were not particularly very nice. But she couldn't keep up with the demand...

Now my tiaras are half that price to buy from me - but she wanted to pay me only a quarter of my retail price, which didn't even cover my costs.

So I don't think people were/are put off by the price...at least that's the impression I get. I went to another bridal fayre last month, and the brides made such lovely comments and said how reasonably priced they were. Especially as I offer free customisation (crystal colours etc)...

I think it's definitely a much more targeted market - it's not the kind of impulse buy that my jewellery sometimes can bring...:0)

[AggieRay]

I would also, before going crazy making them, make sure they are going to sell. When you start getting the sales...then go crazy, views don't mean sales here... Hearts either... I have many items with plenty of hearts and views, but they have not sold...

They are beautiful... what about getting ready to make the one similiar to the Royal Wedding one... if she is wearing one.. that will be one hot seller

[Former_Member]

Hi Aggieray!

Thank you for your thoughts :0)

I have enough supplies here to make probably another 5 tiaras...so I wouldn't be spending much on creating them...just my time! Which I don't mind...I adore making them lol!

Very good idea about the Royal Wedding! You know what...the wedding is EVERYWHERE here in the UK, but I haven't got a clue if she is wearing a tiara or not! I'll have to do some digging to see what I can find out! :0) x

(ps. Thank you for your lovely comment about them too! I have had very pleasant feedback, which is really encouraging...)

[EviesToolEmporium]

This is such a timely post! A friend of mine just purchased a handmade tiara from a local artist. She couldn't find one that she liked in any stores or online. A friend of ours is a jewelry artist and just completed it for her last week. I can't believe how beautiful it turned out. She took it to a bridal fair this weekend as a sample and sold 4 more! Unreal!

I would say go for it! I would also change your shop announcement so that you have tirara in your first sentence (along with your jewelry) because that is what google is picking up! Super important with google searches to have your niche product listed in all the key places!

Let me know if you have any questions about that! I can direct you to a great source that will help you key in on that!

Your work is beautiful and the right customer will be willing to pay the price for a once in a lifetime piece!

[Former_Member]

@EviesToolEmporium

Thanks so much for sharing that with me! Speaking to people at bridal fayres and boutique owners there does definitely seem to be a demand. Particularly for custom work. I have regular convos asking me whether I can do the tiaras in this colour or that style... I have been concentrating on just getting my shop up and running first, but this is why I'm wondering whether to just go for it :0) x

[EviesToolEmporium]

carabijoux-

You're welcome! Setting up your shop is super important! Then if you have the right product mix you'll be well on your way!

Best of luck,

Michelle-

[sammysgrammy]

Carabijoux - I wouldn't abandon one direction to go the other. You have both jewelry and tiaras in your shop now and you say the tiaras get a lot of views. Views are good.

Here's what I would do: Change that little blurb that is found underneath your shop name on the top left of your store front, to read: Bridal Jewelry & Tiaras in Swarovski - thus defining what is in your shop, what customers will find.

Right now - if I remember correctly you have your shop name again - you don't need to have that because it's directly above it in the shop title. You can also leave off "handmade" because everything on etsy is handmade (except supplies and vintage)

To do that you need to go to "your account" then to shop info - that's where you make the changes. This will direct google and etsy surfers looking to plan weddings to your shop. Other shoppers who love Swarovski will also come because it's the second word in the info. "Bridal" should be the first word because brides are BIG shoppers. This is their BIG day and they spend BIG bucks on it.