Learning to make fashion jewellery

Kazonline

I need to get myself a hobby and this sounds quite interesting. Was the information you received all in one thread or is it spread across a few?
Good luck with the selling by the way (my suggestion would be to contact WI groups and see if you could do a demo/talk there and perhaps sell a few)
Kaz x

domestic_goddess

Kazonline wrote:

I need to get myself a hobby and this sounds quite interesting. Was the information you received all in one thread or is it spread across a few?
Kaz x

I typed in jewellery making into the search and it brought up some really good threads.
I am really glad i got into it as i love it....

tra_2

I love going to craft fairs but recently have found there are a lot of jewellery stalls and ended up not buying anything because I could not decide - but that's me! I have bought more things at local school fetes and the like as there has only been one stall of jewellery. Maybe with christmas not too far off, your local school may be organising an indoor fete. Could be another option for you.

I make cards and may give the school fete a go myself.

MIRRY_2

I have been attending jewellery school for the past 5 years and although its a lovely hobby, to be honest there isnt alot of money in it.
The problem is the far east import all their lovely jewellery over here and sell at really low prices (very annoying).
If you go into town you are spoilt with different designs all made in the far east. As for craft fairs, sorry they are not the best place to sell.

I have my jewellery in the public library and it does sell but slowly, I also have it in a local beauty salon and it sells slowly.
Forget about selling it on ebay , you would be lucky to get any bids as once again all the jewellery listed is from the far east ,at amazing prices.

I make wedding jewellery which I get a few orders for,
The school fete I made £90 but you must remember all the materials come out of this and the price of the stall which means I probally made £40, then theres all the hours put into making it and storing all the beads at home.
The only good thing about it, is doing repairs, so many people ask me to repair old necklaces and the local jeweller asked me to do pearl stringing for him, but he only offered £5 a necklace which I didnt think was worth it because I have to take the expensive jewellery home, fix it and return it !

I think Jewellery making is great for making friends and family gifts and repairs but thats about it.

Hope this helps,

straws

I don't think there's much money in craft fairs either, but it depends what sort of stuff you're selling - is it beads? These are obviously cheaper than anything handmade from precious metals, so people might buy them. There's always lots of competition though.
Why don't you go along to some craft fairs before you exhibit and check out the competition?! That will also help you with tips on display and pricing.
I manage to make a part-time living from my silversmithing and I'm considering doing it full-time - it's a case of finding your niche and marketing at the right people/areas. I sell in some posh boutiques etc, so can charge really high prices, as that's what people expect to pay.
Good luck and don't be downhearted if you don't sell anything - I went to Camden one week and sold nothing - the next week I made over £600!!

MIRRY_2

I use swarovski crystals and glass beads, also bead weaving different designs in different colours. I dont do plastic beads but sometimes use small wooden beads.

If you ever need any advise, please ask and I will try to help, good luck.

melancholly

carolbee - i haven't pmed you for months - i'm so rude! will send one in a sec

this saturday i'm doing my second ever craft fair - a bit nervous about it but hopefully i should sell quite a bit! had to get public liability for it which was a bit scary, but is an incentive to go to more fairs so that i don't have to recoup the costs over relatively few fairs.

i found this forum, which is mainly for card making, but it seems to have good lists of possible craft fairs:
http://www.themulberry-bush.com/Forum.aspx

LizD_2

You could also try:

http://www.craft-fair.co.uk/

I suspect selling beads and findings would actually be more profitable than selling the jewellery itself. Maybe you could try both.

cazzie_4

ohh someone on another board told me about this site https://www.etsy.com a craft site, might interest you.

FemmeAuFoyer

I'd live to have a go at making jewellery. Can anyone recommend any sites with good instructions for absolute beginners, and some for buying some (not too expensive) parts?
TIA