Making and Selling Homemade Jewellery

absolutelynomoney

I have just been going through a lot of boxes from a few years ago and I uncovered a container of hundreds of beautiful handmade glass beads that I bought when I used to be in India. I used to make jewwllery out of them for myself. Although they are gorgeous and I am reluctant to get rid of them, they would just sit around in a tub if I keep them and it makes sense to make some earrings and bracelets as I used to do and sell them.

I read talk on here of a stie called etsy.com and I was wondering if anyone has experience of seeling on it and whether they found it good to use? Or does anyone know of similar sites that they would recommend?

Finally, if anyone on the forum makes and sells jewellery themselves, I would love to hear from you, as whilst I have made items before , it has only been for myself and as gifts to friends and family, so I would welcome any advice or anything like that!

Jo_F

I don't sell on Etsy, it's too flooded with hanfmade jewellery at the moment, there are another couple of sites similar to it, one is MISI (make it sell it) the other is Folksy (and I don't have the address for either on this computer)

I also have a website with my jewellery on, and do craft fairs and school/church fairs, I use the latter as a way of giving out business cards and getting myself known.

You will have to make sure that any findings that you use (earwires, fasteners etc) comply with the EU nickel regulations, so be careful where you buy them from, it is the nickel that most people react to (and that includes those that say they can only wear gold), I test all mine new ones out on my mother in law, as she is very sensitive to nickel, and if she's ok with them, then I stick with that supplier.

Feel free to have a poke about my website, the address is in my profile.

MissPop

Etsy is a great website (they have so many amazing resources to help you make the most out of your fledgling business), but as Jo said, there are a LOT of jewellery sellers on there - you may have more luck on http://www.folksy.com/ or http://en.dawanda.com/ - smaller sites, but also less competition from other sellers.

There are lots of blog posts and articles on Etsy about selling and promoting, but you will need to put in a bit of effort to reap the rewards..

• include links to your shop in messageboard and email signatures
• set up a Twitter account to keep people up to date with new products
• use your Facebook/Myspace status to let your friends and family know about your shop
• give out business cards (you can easily make one using Photoshop/Microsoft Office, even Paint, or you could get Moo cards http://uk.moo.com/en/ made with your details) with orders so people can pass them on to friends, or keep them so they can easily return to your shop.
• If you haven't already, start a craft blog so you can post updates, and show people your products - I love reading blogs where the blogger shows sneak-peeks of products they're working on. Blogs are also great for networking in the craft community, which can help generate sales.

Phew, sorry, I went on a bit there! But if you put in the effort, and make good quality items, you should get off the ground OK I've made a few sales on Etsy, and it is a great feeling!

absolutelynomoney

MissPop wrote: »

Etsy is a great website (they have so many amazing resources to help you make the most out of your fledgling business), but as Jo said, there are a LOT of jewellery sellers on there - you may have more luck on http://www.folksy.com/ or http://en.dawanda.com/ - smaller sites, but also less competition from other sellers.

There are lots of blog posts and articles on Etsy about selling and promoting, but you will need to put in a bit of effort to reap the rewards..

• include links to your shop in messageboard and email signatures
• set up a Twitter account to keep people up to date with new products
• use your Facebook/Myspace status to let your friends and family know about your shop
• give out business cards (you can easily make one using Photoshop/Microsoft Office, even Paint, or you could get Moo cards http://uk.moo.com/en/ made with your details) with orders so people can pass them on to friends, or keep them so they can easily return to your shop.
• If you haven't already, start a craft blog so you can post updates, and show people your products - I love reading blogs where the blogger shows sneak-peeks of products they're working on. Blogs are also great for networking in the craft community, which can help generate sales.

Phew, sorry, I went on a bit there! But if you put in the effort, and make good quality items, you should get off the ground OK I've made a few sales on Etsy, and it is a great feeling!

Thank you so much for this - I hadn't thought at all about using social websites for "advertising". And a blog is a good idea too ... lots of ideas to get me thinking!

absolutelynomoney

Jo_F wrote: »

You will have to make sure that any findings that you use (earwires, fasteners etc) comply with the EU nickel regulations, so be careful where you buy them from, it is the nickel that most people react to (and that includes those that say they can only wear gold), I test all mine new ones out on my mother in law, as she is very sensitive to nickel, and if she's ok with them, then I stick with that supplier.

I didn't know about these regulations - thank you for advising me.

Jo_F wrote: »

Feel free to have a poke about my website, the address is in my profile.

Thats kind!! I'm just having a look now.

LittleCharlie

It's really hard to sell handmade jewellery on the internet. I sold far more in art galleries than I ever did on eBay/etsy and the like. Best thing it to come up with some really special designs and approach local art galleries.

Having said that, I chucked it in because I just couldn't break even.

MissPop

absolutelynomoney wrote: »

Thank you so much for this - I hadn't thought at all about using social websites for "advertising". And a blog is a good idea too ... lots of ideas to get me thinking!

You're welcome! I hope it helps!