To photograph long necklaces, you could try gluing 2 fancy crystal cabinet knobs about a neck width apart on a blank wall or piece of stained/covered wood. Glue a cloth tape measure to the side of one of one knob to about 2 foot long. You then drape the necklace over the knobs to mimic going around the neck and it automatically will show the worn length. And you have a set up that is ready to use. Just a thought.
I started selling jewelry on eBay last year and I thought that I hated it. So my husband ordered a couple pallets of Amazon returns and it turns out I hate that even more and selling jewelry on eBay is looking pretty good again. So I just ordered another 400 pounds of jewelry to sort and play with. Call me crazy and I will agree. That was a great tip to sell things that you don’t like! I used to only sell things that I liked. But then I realize that some people really like old vintage junk so I’m happy to sell it to them. 🤣
Gay Keyes Usually I just buy several boxes that are about 10 pounds or maybe 20 or 40 pounds. It’s harder to find boxes that are 50 pounds+ I buy from all the same places Texas gal treasures buys from.
The long necklaces are a pain to photograph and figuring out what the material of things is can be difficult as well. Thanks to you, I’ve learned a lot about that.
I really hate how long it takes to list items, it is a real pain, I really need to do it but I must admit I will put sorting through job lots before listing all the time. Maybe I'm the only one here, but I don't wear jewellery, I never have, so I don't have the issue of wanting to keep it. Most sellers are lovely but some are difficult, like when someone has bought something clearly listed as silver tone and despite it being in great condition they've gone out their way to polish it until the silver colour rubs off and then return it, so very frustrating.
I learn so much from your videos! I drag listing on eBay but jewelry is new for me, you educate & guide w/ so much fun, but I love the treasure hunt & story behind jewelry 💎 thank you for sharing your tips, tricks & drags ...
My problem is not knowing what kind of stone are in the piece, I research but I can’t find what I need... I have a EBay store that is only jewelry and do pretty good but I struggle with knowing... my big store on eBay I sell everything and it does great. I love jewelry so much and keep learning from you!
Some of these things that are holding me back, photographing, figuring out shipping, and describing jewelry with and gems and stones because I am not sure exactly what it is and again what it is vintage or not. I keep holding back because I just not yet confident with my own knowledge and skills. I have SO much jewelry that was just given to me a while, which is just hanging in these two jewelry organizers that look like garment bags. I could really use the extra money and these pieces (some of which I LOVE) so I am really trying to overcome these things and just do it.
Love your channel! I struggle with cleaning the items and identifying marks. I gave up all social media and if I was still on would be in your FB group in a hot second. But...I use the web and sites you suggest. Still have one necklace that is hard to identify and read.
The reflective surfaces drive me mad. That and getting a true representation of the color of the metal, while also being able to show scratches or other flaws. I happened upon a small amount of jewelry we already had on hand, and I've been dragging my feet about listing them. I appreciate hearing that it's not just me. Thanks!!
Investing in a mannequin is worth it. I purchased mine on Amazon for approximately $50. After using the mannequin to show off my jewelry, I noticed an increase in sales. It really helps shoppers to see how the jewelry looks while wearing it.
A trick I find that can work for small tight knots on chains. Small chain in particular. Is to put the knot between your thumb and forefinger, then roll the knot firm between them. It should eventually loosen the knot enough to then pull apart.
Having collected jewelry for 40 years and now starting to sell it. The pricing and knowing what the piece is🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔! Knowing the names of stones, jewels etc....... I find it someone overwhelming!
cat hair ugh don't see it until i take the picture some times even later before i see it ugh and the static that attracts the cat hair when taping up my packages lol i have 4 cats lol
This was a great video Margaret. I do intend joining the hordes at some stage and have a try at selling costume jewellery on ebay. However, op/thrift stores in Australia are a lot more pricey than what I have seen from videos filmed in the good old USA - you lucky bunnies! But I have to say I have learnt so much about costume jewellery since watching your videos. Love your sense of humour, your vast knowledge in this area and just the sheer entertainment of your videos. Keep those videos rolling in Margaret - way to go girl!
Jewelry can definitely be challenging and I have so much of it to sell--You have some great ideas in your video about how to go about overcoming some of these challenges! I have gone to a jewelry store to get ideas on how to display jewelry but many times they display their jewelry on jewelry displays and jewelry stands which can cost a lot of money. Margaret, there must be an easier way!
I’m new at watching the jewelry unboxing channels, and I enjoy yours for sure... BUT one thing I noticed right away is when you would say, about a piece of jewelry, “I wouldn’t wear that”, and then not list it. Because in a way it doesn’t have anything to do with what you would wear. I don’t quite know how to put this into words, but I think it has to do with being able to recognize beauty, whether it’s something you would wear or not. I could be wrong but maybe just taking a step back in your head, and just be willing to recognize beauty, or even fabulous ugliness. You’re really good at what you do and I love your generosity in teaching others. And God knows there’s enough jewelry in the world for everybody. Anyway, hope this is useful.
I'm with you about taking photos of shiny objects. I can't seem to get the lighting or myself out of the image. Sigh. I'm learning. Thanks so much for this video.
I love/hate sourcing jewelry! I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and finding a good deal but I hate competing at yard sales (where you really have to be the first one there to get the good stuff) or online auctions.
What about getting some foam board and cutting a head, neck, and shoulders shape out (maybe making the neck and shoulder part longer to show off a longer necklace) to drape the necklace on. You can always start off with a close-up and then show the full necklace.
Hi! Thanks for video. I'm new to jewelry in general but I LOVE treasure hunts! (Goonies anyone?)) But being a beginner everything takes so LONG for me...pics, descriptions, research, pricing, etc. But jewelry is fun👍😄
Love selling jewelry, started m1983. Moved to selling online 1998. I make a lot but most vintage. Don't sell if u don't like it, I learned that there is a customer for even the ones I really don't like. But have had all the problem u r talking about. It ships easy an doesn't take up much room at home. I don't keep anything, really don't wear any jewelry except earrings n rings . Thank you for all ur fun videos Barbara
I find that indirect light is the best or low lighting, but I have photoshop and lightroom to lighten or darken the photograph from back in my newspaper editing days. So that makes it easier to make the clarity better and take the glare off using a filter. Great video as usual...lol!
There was a RU-vid video by a professional jewelry photographer ... I suffer from KRS. Anywho, he took a poster board, made a vertical tube with random rectangle cut-outs for different angles. The tube cut the reflection of the lights and allowed enough light for the photo.
I could never be a resaler. I tried doing fb online yard sales and it's so Tedious to list and keep up with listings, and the type of customers on there are obnoxious. Fighting with each other over a $5 used lunch box. Ugh I'm never doing it again
I am an artist who designs and teaches jewelry making techniques. I have seen a LOT of jewelry! There are lots of things I see that are not my personal style or something I wouldn't wear, but that doesn't mean I can't like them anyway. I can appreciate the beauty of an item even though it doesn't suit my taste. Of course there are some things that are just plain bugly.... HA. Watching your videos, I think you have a pretty good eye.
I finally invested in a real photo light box I’m cheap so it took me forever to take that plunge ! The box I got seems to be what most people use . It’s made by neewwer? Some lame spelling . It does come with a cloth filter thingy that eliminates the reflection issue . That said it’s not a magic box so I still have an issue taking pics of long necklaces 😢 but I love selling jewelry! It’s so easy to pack and ship . I’m like you though I tend to list what I like which is a really bad habit that I am trying hard to break !
My cat loves my photo tent and it drives me nuts! LOL. Hair everywhere, sunk in on top from him jumping on it, I swear he gives me gray hair sometimes.
I've been watching you almost Binge watching..I did ebay for a few years.. I HEAR YA!! YET, You make me Laugh..About the insanity😳 of it..I learned, it took awhile..i used a Black velvet to lay stuff on AND different size containers underneath when I had long or multi items.. under the materual.. You are soo much Fun!! Thanks..I Appreciate your Honesty.. 🙏🤟❣😆🤭😏
My challenge is I'm new at this and after watching you, Nola Collectibles and Picky Chick, you all seem to know what you're looking at, and I don't. It's it stone? Is it glass? I don't know. Frustrating.
I know...they make it look easy, don’t they? But you have to start somewhere to learn! I’m learning and researching as I go. Watching all of these knowledgeable people help too.
@@barbiegirlthrifter6841 I am just like you but as much as I watch (and I watch tons...probably more than I should), it doesn't seem to help me; I still feel like I'm just guessing. How can I be sure that I've learned correctly, if the "expert/teacher" is not there to corroborate that I am correct???? If you have a suggestion for me, please share: I'm really desperate to learn this.
Dainty Costume Jewelry necklaces and rings are so hard for me to list. When I wear costume jewelry... I usually wear some oversized or flashy. I sell them so fast when I list them but it's a struggle to find the will to list them.
What I really, really hate about selling jewelry is coming up with a title so that people can find my listing. There doesn't seem to be enough spaces to really describe my items in the space given. And also, I find it difficult to find jewelry items that I can price high enough to make it worth the time it takes to list it.
I hate wire jewelry and multi strand jewelry... but like detangling. I get hung up on organizing it to sell.. I need to just list it instead of moving it from place to place. It's like I'm afraid of success. I have a hard time pricing because I know I wouldnt pay that price for it..why would someone else.
I get those 5-lb GW boxes of DIY jewelry and sometimes it has taken me 5 hours to get them untangled. Once in one of those boxes, I got a chain belt with chewing gum all over it. I took hours to clean it and it was a Baby Phat chain belt with bling charms that I sold to a video production designer for $35. I could probably have gotten more for it, but I had no idea it was that special. Hidden gems are often filthy...
I haven’t sold anything yet. I am struggling right now with knowing that unless I source everything in person, I’m going to get a good bit of plastic beaded, or ‘statement’ necklaces with plastic insets. I seriously dislike plastic on jewelry of any type. Plastic is just cheapy junk. Also, like you, I don’t like jewelry made with satin cord or fabric or ribbon, and feathers, dirty tassels, and ‘illusion’ or bare tiger tail with a scant handful of beads - NOPE!
Oh my, what a huge laugh you are giving me with the cat last frame...Margaret, you are just so funny! Classic kind of funny...have you seen that show The Marvelous Mrs Maisel? You must binge watch it from start to up to date to see a girl like you. Thanks for the laughs!
I was in a thrift store over the weekend and I met a woman that also sells jewelry online. And she was discouraging me so much. So I kept on trying to walk away and she kept on talking and talking. And she kept on saying like it’s not really worth it to sell. Meantime she’s looking through all the necklaces with a fine tooth comb LOL. If you know what I mean. And my friend that was with me was encouraging me to not listen to her. So I didn’t.
I think this happens across the board though...I started with glass and pottery...my niche - so to speak...it is the same...some glass, I am like "meh..whatever" (call me a glass snob...LOL) and others are exciting to list...but, I have sold a lot of "meh" pieces. It IS about getting out of your head!!! I agree totally. That is why I will take a break to kinda renew/rejuvenate my thinking process. After a few months at plugging away, I eventually take a weekend just to unplug and chillax my brain! LOL.
I don’t have pro answers ...to all your good questions..but I do do some creative hacks...Long necklaces...I use a sort of oval shaped plate in a wooden plate stand and then put the necklaces around the plate like it was a torso. See @scandisilver on posh for examples. I have found using an IPad to photograph reflectives works better and also putting them on reflective surfaces...I have a few one of which is a scratched plastic silver tile....to photograph silver or gold mirror like surfaces helps....so does the angle.....I am sure that there is an app to remove any reflects....but I don’t use anything. Fishing line jewelry needs to die. Put it to its final resting place.
Don't give up, reach out to sellers that do just jewelry. Besides you for jewelry 😏 I watch Lucia Lei and Aunita Funita. Both have their own unique style of showcasing their jewelry on Etsy and eBay. Princess casserole is another fun lady, and no I'm not trying to plug another seller here. They colaberat often and do live videos together to sell their treasures. Reach out. Thanks again for doing what you do. 😍
You could always wear a black shirt and then take a selfie type photo without showing your face (if you don’t want any distractions). Or have someone else wear the black shirt with the item. As for detangling I used push pins. That’s what I would use when I worked in a jewellery store
A thin black or white turtleneck might do the trick! I’m going to try that when I list my first items next week. I bought several sets from goodwill while taking turns with my sister caring for my mom at her home during hospice. It was a great distraction but now I have to figure out what to do with it. Thinking about Etsy to start.
Lol love those pictures it took me 4 days to untangle a necklace, lol it became me against the necklace....finally I won. Now I refuse to move ....and pictures
You have AMAZING Beautiful pieces..My problem Is..no names, or initials.. I bought my FIRST 2 jewlry jars..Some Beautiful Unique pieces, one soo pretty and a MAGNET Clasp, Great quality.. has TRIPLE chains black but shiny barrel gold like oval the chains runs through them..and I Thought 🤷♀️🤷♀️how do I open it..Then I pulled on the bigger barrel and it POPS Out a Magnet..SO STRONG..YES!! I was gonna buy a magnet online and wow..I can wear it to check metals.. and carry my loop.. talk about EXCITEMENT!! And its beautiful..no Mark's But the chain is circular or block like links..they squeeze together. And Sorry I'm goin on about it..I just started looking..My Mom..She was the biggest Antique holder I know!! In all things.she had so much jewelry covered a KING size bed & still containers of MORE..🤗.Her Beautiful self is in Heaven 4 years ago March.. Living with GOD.. This makes me Smile thru my tears...she died of cancer.. Bless her heart..Again I Appreciate all you give us..Thank You plzz have a peaceful Blessed evening..🙏🙏🙏🤟❣
I hate how hard it is to learn the gemstones, and some are so similar. However, I think the worst thing about selling jewelry is finding something awesome that you think will sell only to find out it's basically worthless and your listing sits forever.
I find that I don't like a lot of the same things that you don't like about jewelry. Those wire necklaces are a pain and the dirty tassels and feather gross me out too.
I so want to sell jewelry but have never done it. The reason: How do I learn what it is? Is it a gemstone? Which one? As much as I watch (and I watch tons...probably more than I should), it doesn't seem to help me; I still feel like I'm just guessing. How can I be sure that I've learned correctly, if the "expert/teacher" is not there to corroborate that I am correct???? If you have a suggestion for me, please share: I'm really desperate to learn this.
I have purchased A lot of jewelry. I want to sell it and I love to discover all of it. My husband is now terminal and with all medical bills I thought by selling jewelry I could sell the beautiful jewelry. He is 24/7 now and trying to find a balance
Just starting to post jewelry (all costume). Hadn't learned about looking for gold/silver/stones until I started following you. I don't use Etsy. Is Ebay and FB ok for posting and selling?
I treated myself to a sassy tassel tank top! I’ll enjoy mystifying my neighbors this summer as I go for my power walks while wearing it! They’ll wonder...is it a innuendo...is it REALLY about sassy classy tassels? 😹 Love my St. Therese necklace, thanks again! Barb
I will block you if I waited in line for ever and as soon as they bring out the jewelry everyone runs to look. Back off! lol Goodwill is the worst place for this to happen. :)
Honestly, how do you get past the not wanting to sell things you don't like? I have bins full of expensive stuff that I just put off listing because I'd rather list the things I like. Like how do you motivate yourself?
my biggest frustration is buying something that was on my bolo list for a while only to find wow the price has dropped a lot by the time i've gotten it. hmmm now what save it and hope it goes back up or sell it at the low price? usually i set it aside because it's been bad and doesn't deserve a new home lol. stay well
You can email her and ask if something you’ve seen is for sale. Make sure to tell her the time stamp on the video along with a description of the piece.
