Hello! I am new to the site, but could really use some help. I make a lot of western jewelry (branching out to include mainstream items also) that I sell to western stores and I am starting to sell at craft shows. I carry a lot of inventory with me to stores and shows. How do you guys carry your inventory so that you look professional and your items are safe and untangled? My business is kind of taking off a little faster than I thought so I had not anticipated needing something this quick. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining. I have seen zip up cases that carry 1" stackable trays. Does anyone have one? if so how well do they work? In reading some of the previous posts I decided this was a pretty knowledgable crowd and the perfect place to get the answer I am looking for. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!! Tammy

Thanx for asking Tammy, Ive been wondering that myself. Ill be watching for responces.

I use these...

http://www.storesupply.com/pc-12593-998-55231-black-leatherette-pouch-for.aspx

and these...
http://www.storesupply.com/pc-12592-998-55230-black-leatherette-pouch-for.aspx


Matthew

Thanx Matt. Im looking at the second one, do you think theres enough room for chunky p.c. pieces?

thanks matthew! those look like they woulr work great, but I carry anywhere form 50 to 75 necklaces plus bracelets and earrings. the other thing I forgot to mention which makes it even trickier, a lot of my pieces use large spur rowels (rowels from a cowboy spur that they wear on their boots) as the pendant. These are about 2 1/2" wide. Since they take up so much room, it also makes it more difficult to find storage. keep the ideas coming! thanks!! Tammy

This might be up your alley. Comes with a carrying bag too. You can buy different inserts for the trays also. That way you can customise it to hold what you want.

http://www.storesupply.com/pc-12570-998-55196-12-jewelry-tray-carrying-case.aspx

Here are the different inserts... black and white...
http://www.storesupply.com/c-993-jewelry-trays-inserts.aspx



Matthew Nix
Nix Creations

Finding a premade carry along display case for specialty items can be a problem.

My specialty items are bracelets made from the handles of old vintage spoons and forks. I couldn't find anything to display them the way I wanted, so I built my own. I started with an old silverware box with a hinged lid. I ripped out the old lining and replaced it using black velvet. Lengths of velvet covered large dowel rods were placed in the bottom section with fifty bracelets of various sizes draped over them. The inside of the lid has several loops attached to hang my other offerings which include crystal bracelets and a variety of wire wrapped items. A thin sheet of protective sponge rubber seperates the two sections during transport and is removed for display.

Hopefully you'll be able to find what you need without having to go to the trouble of making your own, but if all else fails, it worked for me. Good luck Tammy

QUOTE: Originally posted by tammysue75 Does anyone have one? if so how well do they work? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!! Tammy

Tammy-

My wife, Jacque, has a small wholesale jewelry business on the side and she uses that type of grey carrying case and stackable trays.
BTW: True "stackable" trays are the plastic based type with little legs on the corner bottoms that keep the trays from sliding over and falling down into the one below it.
Everything goes into the various depth stackable trays except her ear rings which she instead puts in approx. 7" x 12" X 4" deep crush proof Tupperware with a hinged lid. The ear rings are stacked upright in these to keep their their dangles from tangling and the post type ear rings from being crushed.

Tip: The cases must be filled completly with trays to keep the interlocking stackable functionality of the trays. A loose load will defeat this purpose so the combination of the tray heights need to add up the the case height (12 or 16 inches)



We sell these re-enforced vinyl cases (2 sizes) plus the stackable trays at competitive prices on this page of our supply house web site ...
http://www.monsterslayer.com/Pages/Display/Display.aspx

I use this one for my jewelry shows. Its great, sturdy and holds a lot but the case itself is heavy, add a bunch of rocks to that [:)] and it becomes very heavy (for me anyway but I am a wimp) to lift into a car. Someone suggested that I could load the internal cases into a box in the car and then put them back into the case when you are ready to roll it to your destination. Luckily I have not had to do that as my hubby helps with the setup and he lifts the case.

(FYI-you have to buy the trays seperately)
http://www.nilecorp.com/products.asp?sku=862%2D7

yolie[:D]

Rolling tray cases. There's a brilliant idea.

I have been using velvet lined stackable trays and just carting them around in crates.

Hard to roll through the grass out at Renaissance faires I fear.

QUOTE: [i

I have these .. they work well ..but THEY ARE HEAVY when fully loaded.. especially the tall one :)

I was looking at getting the hard case, on wheels - but they are heavy WITHOUT the trays or jewelry loaded. I could only find the short version and I would need one tall .. I couldn't imagine how heavy that one would be! so great they look great to wheel around but what about lifting into your car or down stairs ??!!

When I sold silver and turquoise jewelry into gift shops around the National Parks I used the double rolling cases. They ARE heavy when loaded with silver bangles and cuffs.
I often had to carry them up a few steps to get into shops. And I had to lift them to put them in and out of the van. Inside the van they need be firmly tied down.

I often considered putting band or instrument stickers on them so they looked less like jewelry cases and more like guitar amps. <g>

I use and love the rolling carts. I think I got mine from Jewelry Supply for about $25. It holds 16 or 17 1" trays. I have the white leatheret necklace easel inserts and the flocked 8 compartment inserts. I also have a 32 compartment inserts for small earrings on small earring cards that I made myself. My only complaint with the soft sided rolling cart is that as you unload your trays, there is nothing to hold the cart upright and it tips over when you get down to 1 or 2 trays left inside of it. My husband cut a piece of stiff plastic to fit into the side but it only helps a little bit. I am thinking about getting the hard sided rolling cart that Rena uses. Both are heavy when loaded with jewelry but I just make sure I continue to work out with my weights so I can still manage them.