Selling Custom-Size Jewelry: Shopify Secrets for Streamlining Stock Management

I’ll never forget the time we decided to turn our love for handmade jewelry into something more than just a hobby. Oh, the glittering piles of beads, endless spools of wire, and the delightful, albeit exhausting, challenge of making each piece as unique as a snowflake. We were a band of artisans, armed with creativity and ambition but little knowledge of the intricacies of running an online store. Fast forward to today, the obstacles have evolved, and one particular conundrum we faced was how to sell bracelets of varying sizes—without confusing our customers or our stock system.

Understanding the skews in skews (pun intended!)

When we first encountered the quirkiness of SKU management, it was akin to deciphering a riddle crafted by an especially wicked sphinx. We wanted our customers to see a straightforward list of options—size 13 to 23 bracelets—while behind the curtain, our inventory quietly accounted for the individual link components like the unsung heroes they truly are. It became increasingly clear that the solution lay in the mysterious art of “bundling.”

Identifying the root SKU - not the vegetable kind

Let’s dive into the heart of the matter, setting everything up to allow our simplified shopping experience to flourish while keeping track of every precious link behind the scenes. We needed a way to connect a root SKU to various size options—a single, unified entity feeding quietly into our existing system. Imagine a wise elder linking younger generations; each takes something and passes along, nary showing the complex dance that made it happen.

First, we ensured that each bracelet size was represented as a variant. A classic move for Shopify veterans, but one that took us longer than a café queue to figure out. Within the Shopify dashboard, go to your product in question then click “Add Variant.” Enter each size as a separate variant option but designate your base materials list with a bit of database wizardry.

chirpyRootSKU = 'Bracelet_Base'
braceletVariants = { 'size_13': 13, 'size_14': 14, ... 'size_23': 23 }

{
  variant.sku: chirpyRootSKU + '/' + variant.size_code
  for variant in braceletVariants.keys()
}

Here, we’ve got “chirpyRootSKU” dangling over all those bracelet sizes, ensuring they’re all part of the great circle of inventory.

Beneath the surface: Apps and Automation Magic

In our journey, we soon realized apps could be stalwart companions. For those just venturing onto Shopify’s vast app seas: "Bundles" by Gazebo was our roguish ship of choice. It manages inventory by allowing us to “bundle” the necessary number of links under a single product variant—like a conductor making various instruments play as one symphony. You can tweak each size selection to deduct the associated number of individual links from your inventory when a sale occurs. Sparkling simplicity, my dear Watson!

Make sure to set it up by linking the related products and quantities with your variant entries—it's finicky but rewarding.

Putting it all together

Once the setup was complete, our customers could choose any size they desired without navigating the labyrinth of individual component choices. We offered the illusion of simplicity, while our backend ran like a clockwork charm. It felt like winning a particularly satisfying game of Tetris.

The interface for our dear customer was a delight—clean and polished. They saw only the size and color options, and we heard nary a complaint about complexity. Meanwhile, we knew that each purchase precisely manipulated our inventory, subtracting links and keeping things seamless.

The Joy of an Organized Shop

Reflecting back, we've come a long way from floundering with our first attempts. Our shop feels now as polished as the pieces we make—a genuine harmony between artistry and savvy management. Many Shopify sellers likely face the same conundrum, and I hope this wordy escapade helps you experience the same sense of accomplishment.

In life and business, challenges are wild and sometimes perplexing creatures. What worked for our jewelry store might also succeed in yours. With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of technical know-how, we've managed to make buying an 18-link bracelet as simple as adding sugar to your coffee. Now, dear reader, here's hoping your Shopify adventures are equally glittering and effective. May your sales be smooth, and your jewels as bright as the stars!