what basics do i need to start my own little jewellery business?

[juicychops]

ive been making jewellery on and off for the last few years and have decided i want to do it properly to make a bit of money. i know its not mega bucks, but a little extra pocket money would be nice, plus the enjoyment of actually making the pieces.

i have already made quite a few different bracelets, wanna move onto necklaces now and matching earings.

dont want it to look cheap or tacky, want it to look really delicate and pretty. eventually moving onto wedding jewellery

any tips and ideas?

i also dont have much money to start with so want to be able to make as much good stuff as i can with minimum cost

i have lots of swarovski crystal beads and white and pink pearls, elastic, metal wire, and a few other bits and bobs.

[Overmydeadbody]

How/Where are you going to sell them? You need to make sure you csan get your products to your market fist.

[juicychops]

was going to set up a website, also make up a little brochure and ask the avon lady to distribute it with her books for a %age of the sales, and also eventually once i have made lots of stuff maybe do jewellery parties.

[moonmother]

Hi Juicy, I just recently done this .

Do you want it to be a 'proper' business or just a 'hobby?

I've gone down the 'proper' business route and although I had a huge supply of beads,materials before I started, I still ended up spending about £500 on supplies.Although I am very good at hunting out bargains, I researched prices alot before I actually bought anything, and am fairly confident I got a good lot for my money.

Before I was just making costume jewellery, using silver plated materials but now I'm mainly selling using Sterling and Semi Precious stones, but that comes with it's own problems as theres a limit to how much Sterling you can use before you have to go through all the 'hallmarking' legalities.

I'm lucky that I have sold few bits and pieces,but business is slow at the moment, as is everybody's.

Then there's time ..thats the thing I have the biggest problem with, making jewellery,taking the pictures,paperwork,running the website,auctions etc as well as running a house and spending time with my family.It's exhausting and there's never enough time in the day.

Good Luck, even though it's been incredibly hard work I wouldn't change it for the world.Feel free to give me a yell if you need any help

[juicychops]

thanks moonmother im sure il call for you before long. i would love to have £500 to buy supplies it would be brilliant! but i think for now i might have to do it on a smaller scale.

id love to do it as a proper business very soon. maybe il make what i can buying small bits here and there and sell them and the money i make put towards new stuff.

im also making ALL of my xmas presents this year (except ds's) all the women are getting jewellery and all the men are getting home made biscuits and sweets and chocs decorated by ds.

so that will save me a lot of money and i can see what jewellery is liked the most

ive been wearing my bracelets recently and one girl the other day commented on one saying it was really pretty and unusual. she was impressed when i said i made it myself

[juicychops]

Moonmother, whats the name of your website if you dont mind me asking? was going to have a little nose

[juicychops]

Moonmother, whats the name of your website if you dont mind me asking? was going to have a little nose

[moonmother]

www.precious-elements.co.uk

Luckily I've only had to pay out for the hosting,shop and domain name,as my dp has emerged as a whizz website designer (this was his first go at website design)

I suggest, if you have a local market near you, perhaps hiring a market stall, they're not as expensive as you would imagine. Make up some jewellery and see how it sells.Or Craft Fayres ,if your lucky enough to have some near you.

[juicychops]

Thanks

ive done a web design course myself so should be able to sort a website out and get it up and running too.

there are a few craft fairs near me and there is always summer and xmas fairs at my little sister's school. want to have something sorted ready for people to buy at xmas

[Miaou]

Have you looked at etsy, folksy and other internet sites, juicy?

Get yourself into blogland - set up a blog, talk about what you make, get involved with swaps with other jewellry makers, go on forums etc - the more contacts the better. IME crafters buy from other crafters too, so you can make sales that way (as well as friends!)

[Miaou]

Moonmother your jewellery is lovely!

[juicychops]

Thanks miaou il give them ideas a go

yes, moonmother, your jewellery is very beautiful

[moonmother]

Thank you

A great site to get involved with other jewellery makers is

ukbeaders.forumup.org/

there very helpful and its a great 'beaders' community.

I've been putting some of my costume jewellery on Ebay,I've had sales each time I've listed but it seems very slow at the moment,due to people being on Holiday etc.I know it does pick up in September.

I also am a member of Etsy,but there are alot of us fighting for sales.

Blogs are good, but only if you keep it updated with your work (I'm a bit slow with that)

Websites are good,to showcase your work but when you've set it up ,then realise your just one of the many thousand out there it can be quite disheartening.It takes a lot of work to ge your website noticed...I'm still getting there.