Ask the Experts Wearing Your Own Designs Q&A

I sell the jewelry that I make, and I love wearing my own pieces. I don't like when people ask to buy what I'm wearing, though. How do I politely tell them it's not for sale?

- Heather

You've described one of the occupational hazards of being a talented jewelry maker! Many of the people who attend my seminars say that wearing their own jewelry is the most effective marketing they do. When someone comments that they like something you're wearing enough to buy it, you don't want to lose that prospective customer. Create more than one of the pieces you enjoy wearing, so that you can make the sale. Another approach is to ask the prospect what she likes about the piece you have on, and offer to make up a custom piece just for her.

- Dr. David Weiman