jewelllery making for 2010

Giggles_Fairy

Nic2075: Thank you for your comment. I went for browns as I think thats quite a neutral colour, so it will go with lots and my auntie is more likely to like it.

Crafty JuJu: Thank you so much the beads were just from a car boot! I bought lots of necklaces and broke them up, so it meant I got some lovely unusual beads. Ive got enough left over for another bracelet I think so I think Im going to make another, maybe for myself hehe

Lindadykes: Ive been asking advice off other family members and they all think she will like it so thanks to all your comments and my familys Im definately going to give it to her.

Susan42: hehe I will bear you in mind if she doesnt like it!

LJM: Thanks for the lovely comment. Everyone is so supportive on this thread, its so encouraging.

AmyGroovey: I messaged them on facebook and aparently they are on the bottom floor next to the poster shop now. I had looked on their website but its not very good for information on the shop, just the online shop. It doesnt really give much info on where the actual shop is! I guess another trip into town is needed and I WILL find the shop hehe Thanks for your help.

Crafty_JuJu

Giggles_Fairy wrote: »

Crafty JuJu: Thank you so much the beads were just from a car boot! I bought lots of necklaces and broke them up, so it meant I got some lovely unusual beads. Ive got enough left over for another bracelet I think so I think Im going to make another, maybe for myself hehe

Thats ok Ooohhhh can't wait to see more Defo keep one for yourself...to show off I kept my first make, purple memory wire bracelet, its my fav colour
I do the same if I see bits on sale at really cheap prices, I recently got some beaded bits from Claires accessories, new look & bhs with loads of beads on each, to buy them like that made it way cheaper (I think most were 75% off & bogof)...I'm always keeping my eyes open for a bargin in shops/car boot/charity shops

Giggles_Fairy

Crafty_JuJu wrote: »

Thats ok Ooohhhh can't wait to see more Defo keep one for yourself...to show off I kept my first make, purple memory wire bracelet, its my fav colour
I do the same if I see bits on sale at really cheap prices, I recently got some beaded bits from Claires accessories, new look & bhs with loads of beads on each, to buy them like that made it way cheaper (I think most were 75% off & bogof)...I'm always keeping my eyes open for a bargin in shops/car boot/charity shops

Yeah I think your right, I definately need to make one to keep for myself. Although I wont be able to wear it infront of my auntie till after her birthday, good job its Bank holiday weekend and not weeks away!

I havent been able to save enough money to place a big order online for beads (I know once I start I wont be able to stop!) so I thought I could just get some bits of necklaces at a car boot whilst I was there, and well, I couldnt resist having a go! Your definately right about being able to get some bargains in sales at places like Claires and BHS. Im keeping my eyes peeled from now on too!

The good news too is that I went on my local precient (never go on now since they started charging for parking unless I have to) and there is now a little craft shop opened! Yay! She stocks abit of everything and has only got a few beads/jewellery bits in but Im just glad there is somewhere local I can pop to if I need to now. And as shes only been open 10 weeks Im sure she will start to get more stocks of things as time passes and she realises what sells. Shes got seed beads, some basic one colour beads, tools, charms, plastic bead boxes etc so I think I might go and buy some stuff after payday Its probably slightly cheaper online but I like being able to see things before I buy, especially as Im not too experienced yet. Plus she was really nice and gave me some tips

nic2075

Your right Giggles about once you start you cant stop lol. Ive found though once I started I decided I fancied the vintage look so went for bronze chain and findings, so I had to buy clasps jump rings and head pins. Then of course I needed brass charms etc. That was all fine then I made a silver charm bracelet so of course the bronze jump rings and headpins didnt go so I had to buy everything else in sliver plated lol.
I have them all now and got it all pretty cheap but I thought I only needed a bit of chain , clasps, beads and charms but the list kept growing.

I also bought some Beadsmith mini pliers, they were only £3.50 for a pack of three, and I use them all the time.

My advice to anyone starting out on a budget is to pick a style/colour of chain/thread/mem wire etc and stick to it at first. I now have all these different colour findings and im confusing my styles.


On a different note does anyone here have a Folksy AND an Etsy site? I have a folksy one but sales are non exsistant. I was wondering if Etsy would be better but dont even know what to charge for postage as I dont want to charge too much or be out of pocket. At the moment everything on ebay is selling well with a few suprises (£7.12 for my Aga Teapot!!) but id really like to make Folksy work.

Nichelette

I have folksy and etsy nic, to send a large letter sized packet (which most jewellery will fit into) to the US it's about £1.80, and £1.30 to Europe. Hope that helps . I usually charge $4 for p&p which comes to a bit over £2 with the exchange rate as it is at the moment.

samanthalvsben

I only have green beads at the moment I cant wait untill i get paid off shopping.com so i can buy some more beads in all different colours such as blue, purple, orange and nude colours what are around now Is there a way in which i can sell these bracelets online? But not ebay, do you sell them on your blogs? x

samanthalvsben

For got to mention iv made two green bracelets now

nic2075

samanthalvsben wrote: »

I only have green beads at the moment I cant wait untill i get paid off shopping.com so i can buy some more beads in all different colours such as blue, purple, orange and nude colours what are around now Is there a way in which i can sell these bracelets online? But not ebay, do you sell them on your blogs? x

Hi, I got some lovely chinese glass beads form an ebay seller called Sanctuary beads, they were only £1.50 for quite a lot.

A few of us have a folksy page (see my blog and link from there) or an Etsy page. Its full of lovely handmade items but folksy is not very well known yet. Etsy is more established but its US based. Im thinking of starting an Etsy page to try and boost sales.

You can also set up a facebook shop, which is easier to do than you think, theres a link quite a few pages back ill try and find it unless anyone has it handy. But again you are relying on friends etc to buy them unless you make it public.

A couple on here have their own websites which seem to be doing well also.

Ebay is hard to sell jewellery as its is saturated with stuff.

You could try and keep making stuff and get a stall at a craft fair or school fete.

Someone else also mentioned jewellery parties.

Crafty_JuJu

Yeah I got my crafting mojo back today :rotfl:I'd lost it over the last couple of days! I got around to trying my hand at some necklaces today, I've just posted my 1st couple tries on my blog if you'd like a nosey

I too have a facebook fan page shop & a folksy shop. This weekend I was thinking of setting up an Esty shop to see if it help sales...is it easy to set up & easy to work out your prices in $? Thanks for any help

shell_21

hey all
i am a long time lurker on this thread, and i have to say i LOVE all of your creations! you are all so inspiring!!

I too make some jewellery bits and bobs which i would love to be able to get some feedback on........ am i aloud to post the name of my facebook page for you all to have a look at my stuff??