If you are a bead jeweler or jewelry artisan of any sort then you should definitely check out some of these retirement communities to see if you can be a vendor at their next craft show. Not only is their table space often dirt cheap or even free, but you are given the chance to promote your jewelry to a large audience of people who may not otherwise venture out to see you at any other storefront or fair.
However, if you are going to make and sell jewelry for older women, especially senior citizens, then you may need to make some physical changes to your jewelry to make sure it suits them and their needs. Here are a few ways you can modify your bead jewelry to appeal more for your older clients:
Use Easy To Open Clasps: You'll quickly learn that arthritis and reduced hand dexterity makes opening and closing typical small clasps difficult for older people. Some senior citizens avoid wearing jewelry altogether because it is simply too difficult to put on and take off. You'll want to use easy to open larger clasps on your necklaces and bracelets. You may want to consider using magnetic clasps of some sort. These are not as secure as more traditional clasps but they can be opened and closed much more easily by older people.
Consider No Clasps: You may want to skip the entire clasp issue entirely by making over sized necklaces and bracelets that can easily slip over the head and wrist. You will want to bring your jewelry tools with you so that you can shorten pieces for customers right at your table if your bracelets are simply too large for thinner wrists.
Choose Textures Carefully: You may want to try to choose non-allergenic materials and stick with beads that are more rounded than chunky and sharp. A bracelet of sharp square Swarovski beads may look great, but if the rubbing of the bracelet against the wrist all day is going to cause a skin irritation then someone may not want to buy it.
Clip Earrings: Some older people move away from using pierced earrings for the same reason they shun small tight jewelry clasps: earrings are simply too small and difficult to wear and remove. Consider making to clip on earrings that are slightly larger than the norm but don't dangle too much. You may need to test out several clip on kits until you can find one that you think most older people will want to use.
Eyeglass Holders and Bookmarks: Sure, beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings will still sell, but consider making more non-traditional jewelry items such as jewelry chain bookmarks or beaded eyeglass holders. You'll be amazed at how popular they can be!
Selling jewelry to older people is usually a lot of fun and can be a very rewarding experience. You'll learn a lot about life just by talking and watching your older customers. If you really want to please them then you'll definitely want to take their needs into consideration and offer them something unique and made especially for them.
Like any other art form, beading jewelry is a way in which you can express your creativity and originality. Your imagination, skill level and budget are the only limitations to what you can create. You can use patterns or design your own bead jewelry. As you become more experienced in working with the tools of the craft, you may even begin selling your beautiful earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces!
In addition to great beads, you need a few stringing and hand tools. At the minimum, you need a pair each of round nosed and flat nosed pliers, a crimping tool for fastening clasps to jewelry, wire cutters, jeweler's tweezers for picking up and holding beads in place while you work with them, clasps, stringing materials and needles. Selecting beads for your project is the fun part! There are so many kinds! Glass beads, pearl beads, wooden beads, brightly colored plastic beads, beads made of semi-precious stones and metals, crystal beads, and the list goes on and on! In fact, just looking at beads can inspire the creation of original designs! But, getting your feet back on the ground, start simply and work your way up.
There are several different kinds of beading strings and wires. Some bead jeweler's work almost exclusively with jeweler's wire because it is easy to work with, durable and can be used with all but the smallest of beads. Another popular choice is silk thread. Silks come in vibrant gemstone colors and are used with small beads, such as pearls. Glass and other abrasive beads cut or fray silk, so avoid combining the two. Leather or rawhide string is often used in making necklaces and wrist and ankle bracelets with any type bead with a large enough hole. Like silk and nylon threads, leather stretches and works better with loosely fitting jewelry.
The best place to purchase bead jewelry supplies is through a wholesale supplier. On the Internet, you will find dozens of crafts supplies wholesalers from which to choose. By comparison shopping, you can find the best prices for the beads and supplies you need. Online wholesale catalogues provide color photos and brief descriptions of their products, and placing an order is simple. Crafts stores and discount stores are fun to shop, but their prices are marked up to retail prices and they just don't have the room to display and carry a large selection of beads and jewelry supplies.
Your workspace should be comfortable, well-lighted and preferably isolated from the main parts of your home. Choose a comfortably high stool or chair and a spacious flat-topped work bench or table. You need sealable containers to keep your beads, small tools and supplies neatly organized and within easy reach. Other things you need storage space for are patterns, completed projects, and larger hand tools. One of the great things about having a separate workspace is that you can hang enlarged pictures of your favorite hand-made jewelry on the walls, make long strings of inexpensive beads, or allow your children to make them, to loop along a wall or from the ceiling or use any other decorations yow want! This makes your studio a comfortable, fun and inspiring place in which to make your bead jewelry!
Both JT Miller & Gary Capps are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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