As promised..Here's how we got started making our own jewelry.....

K-tina · 04-22-2002, 12:27 PM

Tangirl I was waiting for you to mention our little secret ... heee heee I'm glad to hear it is going well. Please send me a pic of some of your work!

For everyone else who is interested... a few months ago my boyfriend and I started making jewelry, it was winter and slow. We make necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings. I'll send you an e:mail of some pics upon request. Tangirl can attest to the simplicity of making jewelry and the profits.

Our initial investments was $350.00. We bought glass beads and semi-precious stones, a bead board, wire, clasps and a few tools.
I have a few websites to get you started.
To date, I've sold 72 pieces of jewelry ranging from $8.95 (small bracelet) to $32.00 (necklace with sterling silver). I've restocked several times and keep purchasing new beads & supplies. My customers LOVE coming in and picking out a piece that I will customize to fit. Honestly, it does not take much time.

This has been such a success we're doing craft fairs this summer. Another way to make $$$$$ during off season (especially when I have slow slow days, I don't have to leave the front desk).

Kristina
[ This Message was edited by: K-tina on 2002-04-22 12:55 ]

neon · 04-22-2002, 02:27 PM

I may be interested in this especially during slow season. As of right now I am way too busy to start someithing new. Do you work on these during the winter to display when the season picks up?

shallee

tangirl · 04-22-2002, 02:33 PM

Neon - I work on these as I get time. Lately, there is absolutely none of that. We currently have our jewelry on display with our lotions. I am considering moving them right next to the sign in sheet on the counter. You can easily make a bracelet in 10 minutes. I do most of these at home in front of the TV.

K-tina · 04-22-2002, 03:09 PM

Neon,

We work on jewelry mostly on weekends, Sunday nights (watching TV). We can make up to 10 pieces each. Some nights I only make 1 or two, depends on detail. I have envelopes at the front desk and take orders all week long (different lenghts, colors, some w/ seashells, some with pink beads, etc.). On the weekends I'll make all the orders first then start designing new stuff. This a.m., for example, tanning was quiet so I was able to make three anklets (sell for $12.95 ea). The jewelry is spare time but I'm seeing $$$$ and find myself pulling out the bead-board every chance. I have an 8 foot long front desk, at one end I've set up 5 T-Bars made of black velvet and display jewelry. Anklets are first to go and then I'll tell a customer if they want a matching choker or bracelet..let me know. 95% of sales are generated with this approach. Our pieces are unique and I try not to duplicate. Do you want to see any pics?

Kristina

BronzeBabe · 04-23-2002, 12:58 PM

K-tina~Just wanted to let you know that your pics of your jewelry were great, they are so nice looking, Good Job! My fav was the tan/off-white with silver in it, it was either a bracelet or anklet. Where do you purchase your beads from???
Thanks so much,
Christina

Chippp · 04-23-2002, 01:41 PM

We tried selling hemp stuff with beads , macramay or what ever is called, everyone like it and talked about it but we did not sell much.

K-tina · 04-23-2002, 01:52 PM

Hi Christina,

Thanks for the compliment. I'll send you some pics of new pieces. Now we know what we are doing....we've become more creative and original. We purchased our supplies from Bead Stores in MA and RI. There are several sites on the internet. Type Bead Stores with your state to see if you have any local distributors. I like to physically see and touch ALL beads for quality so I have not ordered on-line (yet). Plus, I am frugal and fussy. Nice combination ha!

Beadlovers.com and Rings-Things.com are good sites.

Kristina

BronzeBabe · 04-29-2002, 03:30 PM

K-tina~Just wanted to let you know I did some research, I found a bead store in my area and went there. What a fun place it was, it had beads galore and I loved being able to pick them out myself. I bought all kinds of them and the materials and board to make the jewelry and as soon as I got back, I went to work. I did it, I actually did it!!! I made a bracelet!!! The only thing that I am having problems with is the calculate how long to make it so it comes up being the right length. If I wanted to make a 6-inch bracelet how long would the beads have to be so I could attach the clasp onto it???
-----------
Christina

BronzeBabe · 04-29-2002, 03:34 PM

K-tina~One more thing is there a place that you can purchase your beads at wholesale, when I bought mine I was buying them at retail and paid a good amount for them.
---------
Thanks
Christina

K-tina · 04-29-2002, 04:48 PM

GREAT JOB!!!! Congratulations on making your first piece. I usually leave 1/4-1/2 inch at both ends. I thread my wire through 4-5 beads to give the ends extra strength before "crimping off". Are you using a fishing line type thread or a wire. I use Tigertail. It is a nylon coated stainelss steel wire. I found out, if you are not careful with this "wire" it will kink. I basically use Hematite Semiprecious Stones. I buy them at bead stores in 10, 16 and 18 inch strands. Initially, I too went to local Craft Stores and found an abundance of beads. The quality was good but I prefer to touch beads vs. looking through a plastic wrapping. Yes, they can be costly but you sell your jewelry for more money. I am wondering if someone makes jewelry for a living and can give us some advice.???

Kristina
[ This Message was edited by: K-tina on 2002-04-29 15:58 ]

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04-22-2002, 12:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
K-tina Join Date: Dec 18 2001 Location: South Posts: 365 Rep Power: 7	Tangirl I was waiting for you to mention our little secret ... heee heee I'm glad to hear it is going well. Please send me a pic of some of your work! For everyone else who is interested... a few months ago my boyfriend and I started making jewelry, it was winter and slow. We make necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings. I'll send you an e:mail of some pics upon request. Tangirl can attest to the simplicity of making jewelry and the profits. Our initial investments was $350.00. We bought glass beads and semi-precious stones, a bead board, wire, clasps and a few tools. I have a few websites to get you started. To date, I've sold 72 pieces of jewelry ranging from $8.95 (small bracelet) to $32.00 (necklace with sterling silver). I've restocked several times and keep purchasing new beads & supplies. My customers LOVE coming in and picking out a piece that I will customize to fit. Honestly, it does not take much time. This has been such a success we're doing craft fairs this summer. Another way to make $$$$$ during off season (especially when I have slow slow days, I don't have to leave the front desk). Kristina [ This Message was edited by: K-tina on 2002-04-22 12:55 ]

04-22-2002, 02:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
neon Join Date: Oct 21 2001 Posts: 801 Rep Power: 8	I may be interested in this especially during slow season. As of right now I am way too busy to start someithing new. Do you work on these during the winter to display when the season picks up? shallee

04-22-2002, 02:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
tangirl Join Date: Jul 6 2001 Posts: 2,184 Rep Power: 8	Neon - I work on these as I get time. Lately, there is absolutely none of that. We currently have our jewelry on display with our lotions. I am considering moving them right next to the sign in sheet on the counter. You can easily make a bracelet in 10 minutes. I do most of these at home in front of the TV.

04-22-2002, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
K-tina Join Date: Dec 18 2001 Location: South Posts: 365 Rep Power: 7	Neon, We work on jewelry mostly on weekends, Sunday nights (watching TV). We can make up to 10 pieces each. Some nights I only make 1 or two, depends on detail. I have envelopes at the front desk and take orders all week long (different lenghts, colors, some w/ seashells, some with pink beads, etc.). On the weekends I'll make all the orders first then start designing new stuff. This a.m., for example, tanning was quiet so I was able to make three anklets (sell for $12.95 ea). The jewelry is spare time but I'm seeing $$$$ and find myself pulling out the bead-board every chance. I have an 8 foot long front desk, at one end I've set up 5 T-Bars made of black velvet and display jewelry. Anklets are first to go and then I'll tell a customer if they want a matching choker or bracelet..let me know. 95% of sales are generated with this approach. Our pieces are unique and I try not to duplicate. Do you want to see any pics? Kristina

04-23-2002, 12:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
BronzeBabe Join Date: May 6 2001 Posts: 2,357 Rep Power: 8	K-tina~Just wanted to let you know that your pics of your jewelry were great, they are so nice looking, Good Job! My fav was the tan/off-white with silver in it, it was either a bracelet or anklet. Where do you purchase your beads from??? Thanks so much, Christina

04-23-2002, 01:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chippp Join Date: Apr 19 2001 Posts: 2,556 Rep Power: 8	We tried selling hemp stuff with beads , macramay or what ever is called, everyone like it and talked about it but we did not sell much.

04-23-2002, 01:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
K-tina Join Date: Dec 18 2001 Location: South Posts: 365 Rep Power: 7	Hi Christina, Thanks for the compliment. I'll send you some pics of new pieces. Now we know what we are doing....we've become more creative and original. We purchased our supplies from Bead Stores in MA and RI. There are several sites on the internet. Type Bead Stores with your state to see if you have any local distributors. I like to physically see and touch ALL beads for quality so I have not ordered on-line (yet). Plus, I am frugal and fussy. Nice combination ha! Beadlovers.com and Rings-Things.com are good sites. Kristina

04-29-2002, 03:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
BronzeBabe Join Date: May 6 2001 Posts: 2,357 Rep Power: 8	K-tina~Just wanted to let you know I did some research, I found a bead store in my area and went there. What a fun place it was, it had beads galore and I loved being able to pick them out myself. I bought all kinds of them and the materials and board to make the jewelry and as soon as I got back, I went to work. I did it, I actually did it!!! I made a bracelet!!! The only thing that I am having problems with is the calculate how long to make it so it comes up being the right length. If I wanted to make a 6-inch bracelet how long would the beads have to be so I could attach the clasp onto it??? ----------- Christina

04-29-2002, 03:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
BronzeBabe Join Date: May 6 2001 Posts: 2,357 Rep Power: 8	K-tina~One more thing is there a place that you can purchase your beads at wholesale, when I bought mine I was buying them at retail and paid a good amount for them. --------- Thanks Christina

04-29-2002, 04:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
K-tina Join Date: Dec 18 2001 Location: South Posts: 365 Rep Power: 7	GREAT JOB!!!! Congratulations on making your first piece. I usually leave 1/4-1/2 inch at both ends. I thread my wire through 4-5 beads to give the ends extra strength before "crimping off". Are you using a fishing line type thread or a wire. I use Tigertail. It is a nylon coated stainelss steel wire. I found out, if you are not careful with this "wire" it will kink. I basically use Hematite Semiprecious Stones. I buy them at bead stores in 10, 16 and 18 inch strands. Initially, I too went to local Craft Stores and found an abundance of beads. The quality was good but I prefer to touch beads vs. looking through a plastic wrapping. Yes, they can be costly but you sell your jewelry for more money. I am wondering if someone makes jewelry for a living and can give us some advice.??? Kristina [ This Message was edited by: K-tina on 2002-04-29 15:58 ]

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