I have always been crafty and several years ago I started making jewelry, I kept seeing simple, nature inspired pieces like what J. Jill sells and Coldwater Creek. Semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling silver, leather necklace with cluster of semi-precious stones. I have often thought about starting a business but I feel really out of my element. I studied biology and education. Honestly, I don’t take critisizm very well either… so I am afraid people will tell me they don’t like the jewelry or it is ugly (I’m paranoid about that). I give the jewelry as gifts or show it to various people that want to see it and I have never gotten anything besides extreme praise.
I have found that I have time on my hands, due to health problems and unemployment. I already have thousands of dollars of jewelry making supplies… everything from swarovski crystals to necklace clasps.
Also, I am not eligable for health insurance and it is my understanding if I start a small business I would be characterized as self-employed and should be eligible for health insurance.
Does anyone have any experience in such a situation? Could you share some info with me about how I should go about starting a business like I described above? Any useful and/or helpful info would really be appreciated!
I would like the base of the business to be at my house. It would take a heck of a lot of jewelry selling to be able to afford a store.
I’m thinking… selling it online, selling it at craft stores, fairs, maybe even Salons?
I have lots of ideas but I need ‘how to start a legitimate business’ advice.
OPEN YOUR OWN EBAY STORE. I SHOP THERE FOR JEWELRY ALL THE TIME AND THERE’S NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE SO BELIEVE ME THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PPL WHO WILL LOVE YOUR JEWELRY. START THERE AND SEE HOW WELL THE PRODUCTS SELL THEN MOVE TO AN ONLINE STORE LINKED TO EBAY AND YOU CAN SEND FLIERS VIA EMAIL TO EVERYONE WHO PURCHASES AT EBAY. THEY WILL SPREAD THE WORD AND YOUR IN BUSINESS. Sorry caps lock came on.
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I make jewelry incorporating glass beads, Czech beads, Swarovski crystal beads and freshwater pearls. I’d like to start a business calling it "crystal" something. Do you have any suggestions that would make it sound cute or whatever. Thank you ever so much.☺
wow, those names are great…thumbs up everyone
Crystal blue persuasion
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What length example 3/8" ? Do you think surgical steel is the best?
I make crystal jewelry and have a request for belly bars, not sure what the best guage to buy is.
The most common ones are 14g
and i prefer the banana bar.
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Went to my local bead shop today & was quite surprised to see they are no longer carrying Swarovski crystals. Instead they are using a type of Chinese crystal. When I questioned the shop keeper, I was told it is because buyers have become unhappy with the lead content in Swarovski crystals.
I have been making jewellery for years & have never had anyone mention lead content in crystal. I am wanting to know if there is truth in this or if the bead store is attempting to save money.
Ideas or information, anyone???
Sounds like a marketing ploy to me.
I have a cabinet full of lead crystal stemware–drinking vessels made from lead crystal. It’s the lead content that makes the design cut into the glasses sparkle. I have Waterford crystal and Princess House crystal that’s on the order of 25% lead. The only warning I’ve ever had was not to STORE citrus juice or wine in lead-crystal decanters because of the leaching possibility. Drinking wine during a meal shouldn’t pose a problem. If it can be sold with 25% to 35% lead content to hold the liquid you’re going to drink, would there be a restriction on the stones in a brooch or pendant that doesn’t even touch your skin?
Actually, the laws concerning lead in jewelry are more about lead "charms" that might be placed on a child’s bracelet or necklace and leach lead easily, not the crystals that might go into an adult piece and that incorporate the lead into glass! China is notorious for using lead paint on children’s toys, making lead "charms" that are intended for children’s jewelry, and pretty much not caring about lead poisoning. The crystal industry on the other hand, mostly based in Europe, is very concerned about a balance between gorgeous, sparkly crystal and any danger from using it. If you’re concerned, you can get a test kit that will tell you if lead is leaching out–that’s what we use on the toys we buy that come from China to make sure they aren’t going to poison anyone.
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Hi ,
I am a jewellery designer who designs and makes my very own siganture pieces of swarovski crystal jewellery…u can buy from me…anyone interested? i custom make jewellery also.
yes i am!
me and friends love all that sort of thing! have you got a website or anything you can show me?
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I want to find wholesalers or manufacturers that can provide a wide range of beads from acrylics, glass, crystal, pearls and finding at competive prices so I can create jewellery and also resell beads as kits in craft markets? I know many companies buy from china but I cannot find suppliers and dont know how to go about it to buy from China. Does anyone have any links or good suppliers?
Any suggestions would be a great help thanks all
There are several Chinese trading marketplaces which operate in English. For instance, you could try to subscribe to Trade Alerts (free service - e.g. here: http://cdetc.com/tradealerts.php ) - enter terms to monitor (acrylic beads or glass beads or crystal beads - you got the idea) and receive alerts when matching lead from a supplier appears. By setting up free account, you’ll be able to post your own buying leads, too.
Those marketplaces show huge turnovers, in particular between Chinese suppliers and US buyers - so all import matters are well known, and people there are friendly and willing to help newbies - just spend some time and communicate with people.
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I really enjoy making swarovski crystal jewelry and I am thinking about selling my work.
http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=5yf4url76amnl3b647545
^ that is a survey I have created in order to collect data that will help me figure out what the public wants. Please answer truthfully! IF you have any other opinions or advice don’t hesitate to leave an answer :).
Have you researched starting a jewelry business? It is best to get advice from those already in the business. There are a few ebooks on the subject that may get you going in the right direction. Good Luck
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Starting a jewelry business to help make a little money while I am in college.
Anyone know where I can buy supplies like, crystals, beads chains and pendants in bulk.
Oh and inexpensive too. Like I said I am in college, and where I attend is not cheap. :]
You can buy Jewelry Making supplies for cheap from http://www.amazon.com/Beading-Jewelry-Making/b/?&node=12896081&tag=new-deals-20
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I am looking for the Judi Mullins that makes crystal jewelry and has a book with she lives in Oregon. The book is called Tyme Beads in Tigard.
Hi! I couldn’t find a book by that title however, ‘My Tyme Beads’ seems to be a wonderful bead supply store in Tigard, Oregon that Judi Mullins is involved with where they offer instruction.
But I found this.. I hope it helps! :
Symphony of Stitches
Project
Six techniques combine to weave a sparkling necklace Judi Mullins Make a fringed triangular pendant in 2-drop brick stitch. Then hang it from the peyote section of an embellished netted tube with square stitch. http://store.kalmbach.com/kalmbachcatalog/search/default.asp?mode=search&searchtext=Stitch
http://www.mytymebeads.com/
http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx?c=a&id=71
http://www.aquariusbeads.org/id6.html
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/kalmbachcatalog/12265spread.pdf
http://www.beadport.com/Links.html
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A lapidary or lapidarist cuts and polishes gems.
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