Sorry if this convo exists already but couldn’t see it.
Just wondering if anyone has any of their stuff in local stores or anything like that? How they approached the shops and went about a sales pitch etc?
Many thanks. Paul
I had my jewellery in local craft shop - they were looking for crafters who wants their stuff placed locally for sale via FB - unfortunately I had no luck with sales there, so I take them back.
HI There Paul - I do sell my jewellry in physical shops - but beware - many of them take a high commission - often 40% then also you pay the VAT on the commission - making it nearly a 50% cut. I am so grateful to have access to Folksy as more of the revenue comes back to me allowing me to buy the tools & materials I need for my practice.
My advice would be to negotiate as different shops agree different rates (but just keep good records - so you don’t mix them up!) and also check whether the shop requires you to suppy your own packaging or use theirs - it all adds up!
Don’t be afraid to go in & ask - they can only say no & may well say yes!
Hope this helps
Diane
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It’s worth speaking to people you may know who have shops. I maintain that it’s not what you know- it’s who you know.
I sell my artwork through a shop in a fairly wealthy town in Northumberland. But my husband knew the owners fairly well, and they were looking for artwork for their walls- as they make reclaimed furniture. So I provided the artwork to act as decoration for the shop and they take no commission. It was a win/win for both of us.
Maybe worth looking into new shops opening up near you that may suit the sorts of things you sell. They may be more open to bartering in terms of commission. 
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Thanks all of this is very helpful, had not thought about the vat ontop of shop fee’s to be honest.
It is yeah def not what you know but who, my other half is manager of a coffee shop/restaurant. There is a gift shop on the site too. The buyer for that has asked to see our stuff after seeing it online. There suppliers have minimum orders of £300 plus for jewellery etc so they are looking at smaller orders to keep them topped up all year.
Will have to get a price list together taking into account the vat and packaging options.
@Silverhares We have had craft shop places offer us spots, they all wanted to charge for the shelf space monthly we used, charge commission and one even wanted us to work free of charge 1-2 days a month!
Thanks all I will take a look at your stores tonight and favourite some bits 
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Thank you Paul - good luck with it all x
You are living not so far from me Susannah 
We love Tynemouth And we are there as often as we can
Yes I have mine overseas in a few and they do well. The cards.Jewelery is tricky as they want consignment in the U.K. but if you keep a record what you give out it should be fine. Just phone the shop you wish your jewellery to be in and ask to talk to the manager…
Well sent in a price list of things today and they have seen some of our stuff as other half took that in to work this morning. Other half has texted and they want 27 items from our hand decorated ceramics range, potential in future for jewellery as they are stocked right now on that. They have asked us to look into custom items of jewellery specifically for them That all happened blooming quickly I will do a overly proud post when it is actually in writing because i do not want to jinx things.
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Lovely there you go. You keep on trying and you will get to where you want to be! Well done.
That’s great Paul Fingers and toes crossed for success!