The Bling Upsell

Last year in Vegas Leah Reddell said she sold her gem add-ons by the piece - ie: "Would you like to add some jewels? They're $1 each"

I tried that at a couple of festivals and it wasn't a huge hit, along with adding Liquid Bling for $1/design - maybe a couple of upsells each time (though one young woman added on 8...haha) - so I'm wondering how you price?

I know Lilly and I think I just read that Linda's doing the same - are pre-packaging gems and upselling as a set - how many gems/styles per pack? How much do you upsell for?

And if you don't use the adhesive that's already on the gems, do you swab your glitter tattoo glue etc right over the other adhesive, or buy non-adhesive gems, or does it even matter?!

I'd love to make this work, and seeing as it wasn't as popular last year, methinks it's time to spruce the idea up and make some changes! TIA

I use the gems. It depends on the kids and the event. The bigger the event the more it seems to sell. If it is a smaller event not so great for me. Mehron makes a gem adhesive, but it is a little expensive and it blobs out easy from the tube. I started just using the adhesive back gems but you can buy the bulk gems WAY cheaper. So, I use the mehron stuff for higher paying things like my $25 faces and use the rhinestones and stuff, and the for regular carnival place faces I use just the adhesive back stones.

The bling is one of my favorite parts and my business name is, "Bling A Fling", so I like to offer it as part of my regular work. Especially since I am new and still learning, it helps me add a wow factor. As a mom, to be totally honest, I would probably balk if someone wanted to charge a dollar to put a craft gem on my child's face painting. I would rather that cost be built into the design fee. But it also sounds like I'm in a different area and price point that both of you....people would not likely pay $25 for even the most amazing face painting here.

So what DO you charge for a face that includes X many gems?

And double checking, Metina doesn't sell an adhesive yet, does she? I checked but want to make sure I didn't accidentally miss it.

Where do you buy the adhesive gems in bulk. I was in Michael's and balked at the price of those darn things!

Typically $5-7 for a full face including bling. My princess crown design includes 3 gems. I use the adhesive-backed gems and purchased in bulk or with the 40% off hobby store coupons they are quite affordable. It's like extended glitter to me.

I'm in a smaller suburban area and the face painter already established here has set the price bar pretty low despite being fabulously talented. I was frustated by it at first but think it's actually pretty realistic for our area.

I have a ton of gems I got from craft stores. Some have adhesive and some dont but I always swab some glitter tattoo glue on them b/c I got sick of ppl coming back saying there stuff fell off. I charge $1 extra for "Glam" I ask everyone " would you like to Glam it up today?" I will put a few gems on there for the buck. Say I did a swirly eye design I would add one small swirl gem and 2 or 3 lil (tiny) gems to accent. I also have actual Bling mask that come with the bling in the price.

I love hearing all this info about adding gems to designs...I had been thinking about it (I have 2 girls who would LOVE it!) but I wasn't sure if I had to use special 'cosmetic' gems or just regular crafty kind which I probably have a few around the house from kids craft projects. And I would have NO clue what to use for glue...but I had thought about trying the glue from false eyelashes seeing as i know you can use THAT on a face, lol
and as far as pricing goes...I would pay $1 or $2 to upgrade and add a a few gems to a design, but not $1 ea.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/self-adhesive-jewels-a2-48_2089.fltr The non-adhesive backed are even more affordable.

There are always coupon codes available for free shipping, $$ off, etc. with a minimum order. I just placed a $39 minimum order and got free shipping...ordered 2 packs of gems (1,000 gems for $16), bag of poker chips to use for line management number system, laser wristbands to use for ticket bracelets at parties held in public locations, and assorted other goodies for my kids to enjoy.
http://www.retailmenot.com/view/orientaltrading.com


Also remember to print off the Michael's 40% off coupons - I use them on clearance priced gems. http://dealspl.us/michaels-coupons

Michelle G wrote:I have a ton of gems I got from craft stores. Some have adhesive and some dont but I always swab some glitter tattoo glue on them b/c I got sick of ppl coming back saying there stuff fell off. I charge $1 extra for "Glam" I ask everyone " would you like to Glam it up today?" I will put a few gems on there for the buck. Say I did a swirly eye design I would add one small swirl gem and 2 or 3 lil (tiny) gems to accent. I also have actual Bling mask that come with the bling in the price.

I like this and think having a general "glam it up for a buck" is a great idea if you want to keep that separated from regular designs.

Great idea to dab the tat glue on, the girlies cannot resist touching their gems sometimes!

Thanks for the link on the gems, but I am looking for bigger ones. Similar to the ones Marcella uses. I have found that putting tattoo glue on gems just doesn't work very well.

-Metina

You mean the fancypants ones that are designs all on their own? I'm sure I've seen them at the dollar store.

Do you know what adhesive Marcella uses?

Metina wrote:Thanks for the link on the gems, but I am looking for bigger ones. Similar to the ones Marcella uses. I have found that putting tattoo glue on gems just doesn't work very well.

-Metina

Those are the exact same ones I got when I ordered Mama Clown Gems from SillyFarm.

Yes! I get mine from Oriental Trading adn they work great. You can catch more sales at times to, where you can get 'boy shapes' and such. I have spiders I got 80% after Halloween last year. They are great and cheap.

Metina- Maricela gets her gems from China town some where. they are very big and she cuts them up. I guess she has a friend who send them to here but she said she is trying to get them for Silly farm. After her bling mask Faba Episode I emailed her and asked her so this is all info I got from Maricela. She does use smaller gems from Michael s too.


Sparklyone- I also see some of the kids running around and riding rides at fairs and the glue on some of the gems sucks

Thank you all so much for this! I've only just discovered the idea of upselling bling and I love it! I'm definitely going to get some gems for my next event!

There is website http://www.markrichardsusa.com/products/crystal-stickers/
they have bling like the one Marcella uses.

Terina wrote: So, I use the mehron stuff for higher paying things like my $25 faces and use the rhinestones and stuff, and the for regular carnival place faces I use just the adhesive back stones.

I'd really love to see a picture of your $25 face. (I'm sure I'm not the only one here)

Oo I would love to see it to! I get that an hour... (ducks head) but Im working up to it.

oo those stickers are sooo glittery and awesome looking! I could practically just do a base and stick a design on. Boy they look expensive though.

janet@ wrote:There is website http://www.markrichardsusa.com/products/crystal-stickers/
they have bling like the one Marcella uses.

all of those are on clearance at Micheal's stores right now.. but even on clearance they are $2 a piece!

I get my gems from Michaels. I try to find the sales. I buy the ones that cluster & ones that swirl(they are all scrapbooking gems). I love the flowers. You usually get about 5 flowers or clusters or hearts, etc per sheet & they run from $1.99-$5.99 per package. I also use liquid bling in the designs. Don't forget your printable coupons!
My clusters are made up as a larger gem or flower for the center of the forehead & then some strips, leaf shaped gems or cut up swirl of gems for the sides of the design. I might just put a gem at the corner of each eye.
I attach all gems w/ glitter tattoo glue even if they have adhesive. I like that it's a safe barrier between the gem & the glue on the gem(that might not be cosmetic grade).
I'm selling the gem/bling combo as a $5 upgrade & may try to go higher(Marcela does $25 masks, but I just don't think my market will bare that & her name may be what sells the $25 designs).
I never got any great pics from the festival & am kicking myself. I had a few people say they'd send me some pics, so I'm hoping....
Here's one of my 1st practice ones.

One good bling accessory I use are bindis. You can get them in bulk on ebay.
I usually charge $2 extra for bling...that would include glitter, liquid bling and gems.

Any tips on sticking gems on? I'm having pop-off issues. Probably my paint is too wet at the time....are you putting them on bare skin? Places to avoid? (had one come off corner of the eye)

I've got some bulk I use tattoo glue on and stick-on and had issues with both.

D.

Denise Cold wrote:Any tips on sticking gems on? I'm having pop-off issues. Probably my paint is too wet at the time....are you putting them on bare skin? Places to avoid? (had one come off corner of the eye)

I've got some bulk I use tattoo glue on and stick-on and had issues with both.

D.

You can place the gem first on the bare skin and paint around it.. or remove the paint with a cotton swab and then add the gem. Adding pros aide glue, eye lash glue, or tat glue will help with making the gems stick, even in heat.