Auction volunteers looking for creative ways to display jewelry in the silent auction will appreciate this approach.
Most often I see necklaces draped over a box. Sometimes it’s the same box the piece will be packaged inside when sent home later with the winning bidder.
Boxes work well enough, but I recently spotted a couple of other silent auction display ideas you could use.
Anyone who has heard me speak knows that my background was working in corporate marketing and sales. I’m always pulling concepts from that realm into the auction. This latest inspiration is no exception.
Look at the photos using the vase and shell, which I cut out of my latest Wisteria catalog.
If you check with your volunteers, surely one has a large scallop shell at their home. A scallop shell can be used to elegantly frame a necklace or bracelet.
Similarly I’d bet that a conch shell would also be an attractive display. You could use the nubby / pointy parts of the shell to elevate a ring or other piece.
And who doesn’t have a nice vase sitting at home?
With a bit of tape to secure the necklace, a vase could serve as a beautiful way to set off a pretty strand of pearls, stones, or glittery diamonds.
tina Dezsi says
Love the ideas… any on shoes??? I would also like to add that interesting picture frames work well for displaying jewelry too…
thanks
Tina
Sherry Truhlar says
I haven’t written anything directly on shoes, Tina. I’ll keep it in mind, though! 🙂
Charlotte says
Our extremely talented merchandising team also used willow and forsythia branches, driftwood pieces, and birds nests for an elegant and whimsical jewelry display.
Sherry Truhlar says
Charlotte, that sounds lovely … I envision something a bit like a Anthropology window display.
Carolyn Kahn-Hall says
I wish I’d seen this a week ago as I have a conch shell that might have been great as a display stand for three rings we sold at our silent auction last Friday! Oh well, a great new idea for next year… and Sherry, a year after working with you, our volunteer auctioneers got a 210% ROI (up from 154% last year) from our live auction items! We referenced your training frequently during our prep sessions – thanks again for the great help!
Sherry Truhlar says
Whooo whee! Glad you’re still cookin’, Carolyn. 🙂
Lori L. Jacobwith says
Making sure to keep events and the delivery of them fresh can often be a challenge but is key to keeping supporters engaged. I’m always intrigued about how you give a different “take” on freshening things up and looking outside the box.
Tanya Barrett says
I LOVE this idea Sherry!
Thanks!
Sherry Truhlar says
You can put it to use and send me a photo as to how it turns out, Tanya. 🙂 Everyone has good comments.
Sandy Rees says
Great ideas Sherry!
How about a yummy piece of velvet or satin? The texture and rich color of the fabric could be great for showing off a piece of jewelry?
Sandy
Sherry Truhlar says
Both would work. And knowing the amount of fabric in your home, Sandy, I know you’d have something fab!
Kirsten Bullock says
A pillow could work well to… Thanks for these great ideas.
Sherry Truhlar says
I actually shot some jewelry … on shells … on a pillow when I did the video! Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e-F4XfWl70&tracker=False
Bunnie Riedel says
Interesting point, maybe a visit to a few jewelers to see how they creatively display jewelry would be instructive.
Betsy Baker says
Great ideas, Sherry! I love seeing items displayed in interesting and unexpected ways and really makes the beauty of the object stand out. I wish I had some more creative ideas but I stick with copying from the pros like you did with the Wisteria catalog. Ross-Simons might be another good one to check out.