Now you’re in the jewelry business, making lovely pieces and you need to figure out how to price them so that they will actually sell!  Below are some tips on how to set prices.

First of all, as a jewelry artist you need to decide what flavor of wire wrapped designer/jewelry artist you are.  Are you inclined to attract the value shopper who wants something low cost but still attractive or would you rather sell to the middle tier customer who considers jewelry an expression of who they are?  Or maybe your desired customer is the investment type who believes that buying a “brand” is as important as the jewelry itself?  Once you decide which type you are creating for, then you can begin to determine your prices.

The best way to start is to assess the pricing levels of your competitors.  Again, your competitors will fall in the three categories defined already – budget jewelry, quality costume jewelry, and designer jewelry.  Within each category there are various subcategories such as ethnic or regional, artist, handcrafted, semi-precious stones, precious metals, etc.  Search online for the products that are similar to what you craft.  Identify a number of different manufacturers and ask them for pricing.  If you don’t feel comfortable asking, persuade a friend to help you because if you don’t know what the competition is doing you can’t effectively price your product.

Another rule of thumb in manufacturing is to charge five times the cost of production.  Jewelry however usually has an additional 40 – 200% markup beyond this because often there are middle-persons who need to get paid for merchandising the product.  If you don’t have this layer in your sales process then you can compete to garner more sales for a similar product found in boutiques or department stores.

You may choose to sell direct to a retail store but you will see yourself getting paid 20-40% of the actual sales price because of this markup.  Selling online is an effective way to merchandise your jewelry also; however you will need some lessons in building a store and then marketing it.  It will require that you build a recognizable brand, build business and consumer relationships, and pay for advertising and marketing that utilize online tools.

Finally, you can always change the price if it’s not working for you, adjusting it up or down until you find the sweet spot that covers your cost of production, your overhead and a profit.  Also, don’t forget to enjoy this pricing process.  Lowering prices does not necessarily increase sales; sometimes the opposite is true because your jewelry will be seen as more valuable, more in demand, and more compelling to own.

For more on Pricing Your Jewelry make sure to read our How to Price Your Wire Jewelry (Article).

Probably the most challenging aspect of jewelry making once you know how is to come up with unique designs that people want to buy.  This article is to help you find inspiration that when filtered through who you are produces unique pieces that your customers connect with and want to buy.

One of the best places to find inspiration is through cultural influences. Every culture has its own aesthetic beauty, many of which are vastly different from what you may just assume to be the norm of beauty. A trip to your local library, or even doing research on the internet, will unearth a multitude of ideas.  Start at the continent level and work your way down into its indigenous people.  Study their art, way of life and language to discover shapes, textures, materials, and objects that influence your creativity.

For example, in the East Indian culture a dominance of gold and silver tones is used that bring out any color that they are juxtaposed with. You may want to create some pieces heavy in gold that are juxtaposed with stones of a strong color. The result is an eye-catching work of art. There is also a great emphasis on detail and decadence in this culture.

Another inspiration from culture can come from the geometric simplicity of Asian clothing as well as architecture. And yet other cultures have their own distinct art, lore, and artifacts to draw from.  Even modern cultures such as our own can inspire you, even skyscrapers or concrete – using gray labradorite stone to represent it.

Another area for inspiration that you can tap in to for design ideas is nature. You can draw from things organic and alive or from landscapes of burned out forests.  Wind, rain, water, sand all offer immense inspiration.  Start out by defining those things that you love in nature and feel in touch with before you narrow down what it is that really inspires you.

Another area of inspiration is from other designers.  Look at their works of art and start cataloging what it is about the various pieces that you love.  Assess their qualities and define where they got their inspiration from. Working backwards from the end product will help you find your way to your own pieces.

The most important thing is to find and then stay true to your own unique artistic vision. This thematic expression that you create is what will intrigue and connect you with your customers and keep them coming back to buy more of your pieces.

Beads are small objects of decoration that are usually used in jewelry. In order to be used beads must usually first be pierced so that thread can be passed through them so that they can be joined together on a string. However beads can also be adhered to surfaces of various items such as wall hangings and sculptures in which case they would not need to be pierced. Beads can also be used to adorn personal items such as handbags and purses. They can also be found in household items such as cushions and table cloths. Beads differ vastly in size from tiny little beads that are too small to handle without precision tools to large beads that are more than a centimeter in diameter.

Please don’t get confused by the term “seed bead”. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the bead is made from seeds, which some beads are. “Seed bead” is a generic term that is often applied to any small bead.

Beads can be made from all kinds of different material, but glass, plastic and stone tend to be the most common. However beads are also made from many other materials including bone, horn, shell, ivory, coral, pearl, metal, gemstones, polymer clay, metal clay, resin, wood, ceramic, fiber, paper, seeds and synthetic materials. As you can see you are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding what materials you would like to work with.

Beads have been around a very along time since the first known civilizations. The oldest known examples of jewelry are an approximately 100,000 year old pair of beads made from sea snail shells. Apart from being used in jewelry and personal adornment beads are also used for religious purposes, good luck talismans and curative agents.

The craft of making things out of beads is called beadwork. There are many different beadwork techniques and they can be broadly categorized as stringing, embroidery, crochet, knitting, loom weaving and off-loom weaving.

Hobbyists of all abilities can practise the craft of beadworking. The simplest examples of beaded jewelry can be created by a novice beader in virtually no time at all. Experienced beaders may spend weeks of meticulous effort on their beadwork using specialized equipment and tools.

For more information about beads please visit http://www.beadyeyez.com

craft projects for

If you’re looking for special projects that will teach your kids to be environmentally friendly, then why not get them involved with crafts? Ordinary items around the house like coat hangers, CDs and DVDs and old clothing often end up in landfill sites when they can be used to make functional and attractive items for your home, office or garden. In this article, we’ll show you some simple crafts for kids that will make our world a little greener.

Tin cans can be used for a number of craft projects after their contents have been emptied. Turning tuna or cat food cans into candy containers is a practical craft project that is so simple that anyone can do it. After you’ve washed the can thoroughly, paint the outside white. Punch two holes near the top edge on opposite sides and use light weight craft wire or a pipe cleaner to make a handle. Now the can looks like a little basket. To cover the wire, you can use felt or pretty ribbon. To decorate the outside of the can, you can use stamps, stickers, glitter or more craft paint. Line the inside with plastic wrap, paper doilies, or colored cellophane. The candy container will look really pretty and artistic once you put the candy inside.

Napkin rings are an attractive addition to any table even when you’re having a casual family dinner. Save your silver napkin rings for formal occasions and make paper towel tube rings for every day. This is so easy, and is one of safest crafts for young kids to do. You’ll need an assortment of dried beans. If you want a flashier look, you can use plastic gem stones. You’ll also need an empty paper towel tube, glue and scissors. Cut empty paper towel tubes into 1-1/4″ rings. Use the glue to attach the beans or gems to the entire surface area. If you want to make a simpler looking napkin ring, cover the paper towel roll with shelving paper in a pretty pattern before cutting the roll into pieces.

CDs and DVDs often end up in landfill sites where it will take hundreds of years for them to decompose. Because they are shiny and reflective, they are in fact perfect for crafts. Here’s how to turn old or unwanted discs into a high tech letter holder. You’ll need some foam, three or four discs, fabric of your choice, gems or flowers to decorate, a serrated knife, a candle stub or paraffin, a ruler, a wide flat paintbrush, paper towels, scissors, a glue gun and glue sticks, and white craft glue. Cut three or four 5-1/2″ squares from the fabric. For each CD, spread a thin layer of white glue over the label side and smooth a fabric square over glue. Let dry and trim the excess fabric. Cut two 1-1/2″ x 12″ strips from the fabric. Glue the strips around the edge of a foam heart, overlapping as needed. Clip corners and fold excess fabric to bottom and glue to secure. To make inserting the discs easier, first cut 3/8″ deep, equally-spaced parallel grooves into the top of the foam heart. Apply a thin line of white glue along each CD slit and press discs 1/2″ to 3/4″ deep into slit. Glue your choice of decorations to each side of discs and you’re done!

Everyday household items like towels, sheets, pillowcases, canisters and coasters can all be made at home using items that normally would end up in the trash. By turning waste into fun and functional crafts, you’ll save money and protect the environment from being cluttered with unnecessary garbage. So, turn on your imagination and have a great time while filling your home with unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade items.

craft shows

If you are an especially good crafter and have finished a number of pieces that people would be willing to pay money for, then getting a stall at a craft show may be a good idea. People love the personal touch of homemade items like sculptures, pillows, stained glass, blankets and even clothing. The bonus of craft fairs is that they are often frequented by boutique owners. If they become interested in your work, then your hobby can turn into a profitable home business. In this article, we’ll discuss the kinds of craft shows available and how to use them to your benefit.

A wide variety of craft fairs and markets take place regularly in most communities, from small local events to monthly and regional fairs. There are also large annual national events aimed at consumer craft buyers who purchase products for retailers. Participating in an art and craft fair allows you to market your products to a wide customer base. Selling your products at this kind of show instead of a flea market also gives you an edge because people attending have a specific interest in the beauty and uniqueness of homemade products.

One way to stand out at a craft show is to do a live demonstration. Set up a few of your raw materials and share the techniques for your particular craft. When potential customers see the skill of your work and the love that you put into your product, they will be more likely to make a purchase. Also, people standing around your booth watching your demonstration will draw the curiosity of people passing by. Before you know it, you’ll have a crowd of shoppers around your booth. Be sure that you’re friendly and are willing to answer questions. Personality will help to sell your product and possibly build up a clientele who will buy regularly.

Before you pay a fee to take part in a craft show, make sure that you know the dimensions of your space, where the space is located, what’s included in your fee, and when you can set up and close down. You should also be cognizant of your personal comfort. Wear appropriate shoes, dress for the weather if the exhibition is taking place outdoors. To make purchasing your goods easier for your customers, make sure that you have small bills and coins available to make change. This is something that many vendors forget to do and it really can be annoying to potential customers.

Unique, handmade items are hard to find so craft shows and fairs are always busy with customers who are willing to spend. Instead of giving away your wonderful handiwork, turn the time you’ve invested into cash. Not only can you make money at a craft show, but you can meet other crafters with common interests. Take the time to browse the other stalls and enjoy the work of others too.