jewelllery making for 2010

princesspoppypop

thistledome wrote: »

This site sells 4mm bicones from 30p for 5. Haven't bought any swarovski, but I bought my crystal beads here and they were sent very quickly.

http://www.tiddlybeads.co.uk/en/p00327/4mm-crystal-swarovski-bicone-beads.html

Thanks so much the prices are great! The only thing is they don`t do mixes so I would have to place quite a big order.... the things you have to do lol!

Now I just need the swarovski shop bulbs to showcase my jewellery!

Poppy x

sethsgran

Thanks for the link to tiddlybeads they are excellent, I have made a note of the site for future ref.

pointofnoreturn

I can't remember who was asking for watch faces but this seller in China sells them in bulk and you can usually get them for great prices. I think I have ordered from them in the past and they were fine. From what I remember a couple of the metal casings were scratched and the seller replaced them with no quibble.

This seller also has alot of watch faces - they are in Hong Kong.

thistledome

I'd like to buy some French Wires to make earrings, but I don't know whether to buy SP or sterling silver. Obv. the SP's are cheaper, but are they OK?

There are lots of Chinese and Hong Kong sellers on ebay selling 925 wires very cheap, but I don't know if they're any good? I see some people from UK are selling what looks to be the exact same wires (with a big mark-up on top).

Any thoughts? Good supplier?

princesspoppypop

I would say the ones from China would be fine its just the waiting thats a pain! The UK sellers probs get them from China too but mark the prices up due to being able to send the items a lot quicker than waiting 3 or so weeks from China.
Also the UK sellers have the benefit of not being subject to possible customs charge although usually rare for a few bit of jewellery!

Poppy x

chuggingtongirl

Hi

Please could I ask some of you advice as you all seem very talented on the few bits of this thread Ive read...will sit and read it all when Ive more time as the photos are fabulous

I have started to make wire bracelets and Im a total beginner.I went to a local shop where a lady put me a beginners set together although didnt go into it too much how to make them and what she had given me.Ive made a few now and I wanted to buy more wire - the shop isnt easy to get to so Ive looked on ebay.

Is it tigerwire I need? I had bought some silver wire from an expensive shop but it doesnt work as well for the bracelets so gave up with that.

Im basically using wire - making a loop at one end then using a crimp to keep it together then stringing beads onto wire then adding a crimp/lobster clip onto the end and thats it.Oh and today Ive added crimp covers as I saw on the internet tutorial to do that. Can someone tell me if this is how you do it? as Ive made one for a friend but I darent give it to her until Im sure its okay as I would be embarassed if it fell apart on her!

Ive bought some more beads on ebay (addictive isnt it!) and want to make more but wanted to make sure Ive got the basics right

Also could anyone advise me of any good websites for looking at other peoples work - not to copy but just to get ideas as I was given a lovely bracelet and so far been sticking to similar design but would love some inspiration as looking at the photos on here is great for ideas and colourschemes ideas

Thanks in advance for any advice

LJM

ebay is great for beads i get most of mine on there but your right its addictive i have so many,if your looking for ideas or help you tube has some fabby tutorials on it

suze1984

Hey all im slowly getting together my collection of beads and wondered do any of you keep an inventory? Ive read that a few people find it helps you to figure out how much to sell the jewellery for x

Jo_F

Re inventory

I have that many beads that I gave in and bought a specific jewellery and bead inventory programe, its called Bead Manager Pro, and for my business it has been a godsend (this isn't a hobby for me)

It was around £100, but, I list all my beads, how many I got and what I paid for them, so it works out a cost per bead, also the same for findings, in fact the only things I don't list are the threads and wires.

then when I make a piece, I make a note of the recipe, and input that and it takes those parts out of the inventory and will give me a cost price for the piece, from this it will also give you 3 different selling rates, one which would be wholesale, one for what I would think is sale or return and the other direct selling (2.5 times cost, 3 times cost and 5 times cost)

It will also add your hourly rate the the piece and things like that, there is an affiliate link for it on the links page of my website, as I was referring a lot of people to it and thought I would take advantage of the affliate program.

I was also on the beta team testing the version that is out now, if you are serious about jewellery making, and making a business out of it, then it is a very good program and once the initial setup is done, its fast and easy to work.

Will also store your pictures in it, make a catalogue, does invoices, profit and loss etc. and it will work with different currencies and taxes

true27

:hello: Hi Everyone!

Stumbled accross this thread by accident, and have been completely inspired! I've ordered the starter kit that Poppy found on ebay and the memory wire bracelets from Jilly's Beads to have a go and see if I'm any good! Will post some pics up to see what you think and for your verdicts/advice/comments, if thats ok?

TIA True x