I have reached many points during these almost four and a half year of Opium Jewelry and now I have reached yet another one.
There have been both ups and downs, and lately, if I’m being honest, many more downs than ups for Opium Jewelry. What has kept me up and kept me going has always been my passion. My passion for searching for new shapes and forms. For loving to be able to work with my hands and to share my work.
But one reoccurring theme and headache has been pricing. And I want to be totally transparent with you now: When I price an item, I base the price on workload and expenses, if I then want to have an item sold by a retailer I need to multiply that number by 2,5. Which makes prices get quite high quite fast.
So, at one hand I have my retailers, where the vast majority of my orders come from, and on the other hand I would like my pieces to be accessible to more people which means I would want to keep prices lower. And don’t get me wrong now, I understand why you need this markup to be able to sell your product through retailers. They do marketing, they keep stores, they have employees, take risks and the list goes on. I am forever grateful for having had the opportunity to work together with so many amazing people. And that they have believed in me and given me a chance. Thank you all!
Anyway… to be able to provide handmade jewelry (because they are handmade by me or someone I know closely) at a more affordable price point. I have come to the point where I am cutting out the retailers out of the equation. A tough decision that has taken me forever to make. But this way at least more people can afford to buy a piece. Wear it and treasure it, as it will last you a lifetime or, maybe, two.
Cutting out the middleman – and feeling thankful
I have reached many points during these almost four and a half year of Opium Jewelry and now I have reached yet another one.
There have been both ups and downs, and lately, if I’m being honest, many more downs than ups for Opium Jewelry. What has kept me up and kept me going has always been my passion. My passion for searching for new shapes and forms. For loving to be able to work with my hands and to share my work.
But one reoccurring theme and headache has been pricing. And I want to be totally transparent with you now: When I price an item, I base the price on workload and expenses, if I then want to have an item sold by a retailer I need to multiply that number by 2,5. Which makes prices get quite high quite fast.
Malin ring and Sylvi bangle
So, at one hand I have my retailers, where the vast majority of my orders come from, and on the other hand I would like my pieces to be accessible to more people which means I would want to keep prices lower. And don’t get me wrong now, I understand why you need this markup to be able to sell your product through retailers. They do marketing, they keep stores, they have employees, take risks and the list goes on. I am forever grateful for having had the opportunity to work together with so many amazing people. And that they have believed in me and given me a chance. Thank you all!
Anyway… to be able to provide handmade jewelry (because they are handmade by me or someone I know closely) at a more affordable price point. I have come to the point where I am cutting out the retailers out of the equation. A tough decision that has taken me forever to make. But this way at least more people can afford to buy a piece. Wear it and treasure it, as it will last you a lifetime or, maybe, two.
Lots of Love,
Hanna