beaded and artificial bouquets

wen-tom

Hi everyone. I hope you don't mind me asking here..:o
I am considering adding beaded/artificial bouquets to my collection (I currently make jewellery) and started to have a look online at Etsy mostly. some of the prices are :eek::eek::eek:
I got married almost 8 years ago now and although i can imagine prices have gone up since then I could not justify £400-£500 on a beaded bouquet.
I understand that they will take time to make but I couldn't live with myself charging that amount for what I made.
My question is, have any of you considered beaded bouquets? if you have where did you buy them and what did you pay? If you wanted them and didn't go with the idea why not?

Thanks so much. I hope you don't mind me posting here..

wishing everyone lots of luck who is getting married soon x

daisiegg

Have to admit to not knowing what a beaded bouquet is...have just googled and am only slightly clearer! Looks pretty, but I definitely wouldn't spend hundreds of pounds on one when I can get a fresh flower bouquet for fifty quid, and it would match my bridesmaids' flowers and the flowers used to decorate the venue etc.

I think someone on here is having a brooch bouquet which sounds kind of similar. Hopefully you'll get lots of responses and good luck !

Idiophreak

daisiegg wrote: »

Have to admit to not knowing what a beaded bouquet is...

Same here...Having done a similar google, I have to say (maybe it's because I'm a boy ) I don't really get the point. I like the idea of being able to keep the bouquet...but then most women will throw the thing anyway, so won't keep it.

Factor in the cost and rather distinctive look and I think this is a seriously niche market...

wanchai_2

£400-500!!!!!!!!!!!!! *faints*

And if you threw it, you'd knock someone out! :rotfl:

LEJC

Button or brooch bouquets are lovely...last year there were several brides on the forum who had them....but I think most of them made them themselves...and without exception from memory they were all stunning and complemented their weddings perfectly.

The thing with this type of creation is the hours it takes to make and also the fact that the buttons usually arn't that cheap either so it becomes very much a labour of love to make them....

There are some on places like ebay which are around the £100 mark but if you ask my opinion then someone who wants this style of bouquet usually wants the satisfaction of saying "look what I made...and I used buttons or brooches ect which have a family history etc...."

The type of bride who has this type of bouquet usually matches it with something to make the feel of the wedding vintage....personally I think they are a lovely alternative to flowers that can be kept as an heirloom for the future...but I also think its something that is potentially made by the bride to get the exact look she wants....

Tiara_2

I absolutely love the idea of these kind of bouquets, but would have no idea where to start making one myself I also couldn't justify paying a huge amount more than a real bouquet would cost from the florist. To answer your questions, to date I've had a little look on ebay and on etsy. If I go with a real flower bouquet instead it will be down to price, but I haven't made a decision yet- need to do some more research and try and find some more sellers to compare prices.

Good luck with your venture

wen-tom

thanks for your input so far guys

I understand completely that brides may want to make these themselves but maybe not everyone has the time or the ability to do that (i hope lol)

I am trying to decide whether is worth putting in the time and effort to make a few up and see what the reaction is in a few fairs.. hmmm this is going to take some thinking about!

I dont think i would like to go down the route of selling a set design on ebay/etsy etc..

LEJC

why dont you make a few up as you say to show at bridal fayres....but really use them for illustration purposes....

If you market what you are selling as the bride being able to have a big input into the finished design by allowing her to come to you with some sentimental costume jewellery or buttons/brooches that actually mean something to her then together you can create a truly bespoke piece....

Catty212

Im making a brooch one for our wedding next year. Currently collecting brooches .. thought they would be cheapish ... but they're not!!

I think you may find it difficult to source brooches for a decent price to make a profit but im sure button/beads would be good.

purplesausages

I made my own brooch bouquet because, as you rightly say, they are incredibly expensive. But they are not quick things to make. Equipment etc. mine cost me £103.50. That doesn't take into consideration the many MANY hours spent making it.

I think you have the right idea, make a few for displaying at fayres and if you get orders great, but think selling them online will be fruitless.