Bracelet Displays S and T Creations

I will continue to update this and expand this list as I discover other possibilities. I doubt this page will ever be complete, so check back or use the RSS feed to know when I've updated the lists! I hope this page will provide you with more possibilities on how to set up your booth and display your jewelry artistically and professionally in any circumstance

First we tried the now dreaded string tags! While it seems they stay out of the way, these things will tangle, so unless you love the challenge or want to seel items in miscellaneous lots, I'd probably suggest using something else.

For now, the "sharkskin dumbells" are our tag of choice. Sharkskin means it's difficult to tear, and realistically has to be cut off, so they aren't easily removed or traded. On a traditional earring card, you can write the price on one circle, put that on the front of the card, then merely fold it over and hide the other side on the back. These will go around your necklace, bracelet, or pin easily. The back circle can also contain a marking, as long as it's short---initials, the year the design was created (or I'd recommend a code for that myself so it's never obvious to a customer that something was designed long ago). If you price things by color, it's also very easy to grab some hi-liters and mark the $5 items blue, $10 items yellow, $20 items red, and so one.

If you use cardstock, you can of course write directly on the card. If you then wish to change the price, you can simply put a sticker tag over that and write the new price down.

INFORMATION While I have not added these yet, I have always wanted to develop a small hangtag that would describe the pieces, the gemstones, its name, perhaps our logo and contact information, and maybe a "handcrafted" notation. One of the wonderful things about making artisan jewelry is being able to tell the client a little of the designs "story." Besides the components, you might mention the inspiration for the piece or an interesting story about how those beads are made. If you know the lampworker tell a bit about ordering the beads. If you found these on a distant trip, or they were imported that can be added. If you made the clasps yourself, or wire wrapped the pendant, mention that. If you used a kiln or a tumbler, that is interesting. Perhaps the owner needs to know something about how to care or clean this piece. All these add value to your design, by make the piece of jewelry "alive.

Well, there is always the traditional bracelet "hump" usually covered in black velvet, that you can drape bracelets across.

And, of course, the T-Bar which you can easily make. Set a wooden dowel in a base and add a larger dowel across the top, paint or cover with felt or velvet and voila! You are ready to go!

CONES Today I saw some nice black cones, I think made from black posterboard, that were turned upside-down, with bracelets displayed. The black really set off the bracelets, and it looked really nice. I couldn't get close enough to see how they were formed in the back to keep their shape, but I think I'd personally use the metal split tab fasteners. Shape the first one at the angle and shape you wanted it, staple it. You want it to get wider quickly, or it will be too tall and overwhelm your jewelry. Once you like the shape, staple it in place. BUT then, punch holes on the overlapped ends, and put the split tab fasteners thru that, then fold it open to hold it. Now, pull out your staples and use the flat board as your template, and cut more. Again, using the first one as a template mark where to make the hole punches. NOW, you can pack and move these nice and flat, then, when you are setting up, roll them back into the cone shape and insert the metal tabs.

 DRIFTWOOD OK, now wait a minute! I saw this used with someone who's work consisted of mainly smaller, wire worked bracelets and crystals, and small gemstones. They looked wonderful. You can even then take a small silk leaf and use that for your matching earrings. This can be lovely across the middle of a table, and add both color and dimension to your display.

FLOWERS Think about a simple silk flower under or behind your piece, or even draping it across a small bouquet.  Just be sure the colors in the flowers don't drown out your work!

TREE BRANCH or VINE  Again, these are lovely behind your photos, particularly if your piece has any nature, environment, outdoor or woodsy theme!

 GEODE I love bracelets with Swarovski crystals. And some dyed cross cut slabs of quartz can be lovely when you drape them over crystal geodes. Usually you will see these cut open, with crystals inside a "cavern" or you might see them cut like bookends. These will really set off certain pieces in your inventory. Large pieces of pyrite will make your gold pieces SHINE, and big chunks of lava rock will really make onyx and black agate sparkle!

You can use the same idea over small stones.  Think about those you purchase in home decor stores that you drop into the bottom of your vase and put the stems of your flowers in. 

 Using natural display items that complement the gemstones and beads in your design makes a lovely display "theme" for your work. For instance, if you design pieces with pearls and shells, find some large half clamshells fill it with your bracelets. Or use a shallow tray, fill it with sand and drop your shell bracelets in it, like you'd find shells on the beach.

OPERA GLOVES Fun, funky, you can even put rings on the fingers! You need to "stuff" the gloves somehow. You can do that and sew the ends shut, or use something like pvc pipe wrapped in cush-y velvet or foam, even a small washcloth. You just want to get the glove roughly "arm size" so the bracelets on it will look natural. I have them in white/cream and black, to show off different colors and styles of bracelets.

Another similar option are small "pillows" or even cute gift bags in organza that you've "stuffed". Just pop the bracelet around this, snap and go! Just rolling nice colored felt or velvet can really help your bracelet's stones "pop"!

Or, need something fast---wrap a paper towel roll with some pretty material and slip that under your bracelet---heck a baseball bat will even take a picture!  (Don't laugh, they use them as mandrels to make the curve in cuff bracelets!).  You can do the same with anything that will give you the round form, pvc pipe, for example---very light, easy to take to shows, add 90 degree elbow ends and they will even stand nice and still!

 The first that I particularly like for crystal bracelets, where the reflection actually increases the "bling" is a mirror tray, like one you'd have on a dresser for perfume or even makeup. If taking a photo, be careful of the angle but on your table or stand, these can really be lovely -- add some lighting and these will sparkle right off the table top!

The second type, though, are traditionally made for jewelry. These will stack flat and can then be carried as a group, all in 1 package. The better ones can then be stood up using a stand on the back similar to a photo frame. Inside there will be snaps that allow you to snap in necklaces or bracelets so they don't tangle up.

Those wire photo frames can work well for bracelets.  All those swirled ends of wire will let you manipulate them so almost any size bracelet can dangle from the "branches."

Stemmed Glass A wine glass will also hold a bracelet, allowing it to drape slightly down the front.  If you don't want anyone to see through to your table cloth, simply insert any cute shredded paper, ribbon, or material inside.  This lets you control the color a bit, particularly if your piece has crystals in it.

CHRISTMAS TREES Use small table top fake pine trees. Pick those with the smaller "needles". I don't recommend anything with snow tips, you can end up detracting from the color of your jewelry. Decorate your Christmas tree with your bracelets. This works especially well with stretch bracelets, since they can't drape or hang open.

Be sure you have lights, either tiny lights ON the tree, or better yet, a spotlight over it so it will twinkle and sparkle!