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[H1373]How To Make Bead Jewelry

by Jt Miller, Jt

When you first start making bead jewelry you may be quickly overwhelmed with the amazing number of beads available, the different materials that are used, the many different wire techniques and clasps that are all available for just about any piece of jewelry you could ever imagine.

Here are some great ways to learn the basics skills and techniques of bead jewelry while still having fun:

Visit a bead store: After you've been making bead jewelry for a while a visit to your local bead shop will be like visiting the candy store. Initially, though, it might be a little confusing to navigate through the thousands of different bead types, stringing options and tools and materials available. The good news is that most bead stores are always staffed with people who were once beginners like you and most people who work in bead stores will gladly share their enthusiasm and knowledge with you. Don't be afraid to ask even the most simple of questions and be sure to let the person know you are just starting to learn your way around the store. I've even been to some bead stores that offer a free "one-on-one" session with a jewelry expert to help you get started making bead jewelry of your own.

Take a class: This is probably one of the best ways to learn how to make bead jewelry. Taking a class often allows you to interact with an instructor and even meet other beginners as well. It's sometimes fun to share your ideas and struggles with other people at your level because then you can all learn from your mistakes together. Many bead stores offer affordable classes, but also don't forget to check out your local community college or recreational center for people giving classes on jewelry making.

Read a book: Not an earth-shattering move, but there are lots of great bead jewelry books for beginners filled with photos and tutorials that can give you exactly the information you need for starting out. Bead jewelry books are also great for getting the creativity going because they will often show you the finished product first and then explain how to get to that point from the very beginning.

Online blogs, tutorials and videos: The internet has changed the way we all live and learn, and picking up a new hobby like making bead jewelry is no exception! There are lots of online beading blogs, tutorial videos and websites dedicated to learning about making jewelry and working with beads. The best part is that most of these sites are free and available at any time of the day or night, so it's like having your own library and beading instructor right inside your computer!

Making bead jewelry is a fun and rewarding hobby that starts out as a past time and can quickly turn into a creative addiction! Many people who begin making bead jewelry on the side quickly end up getting hooked and even begin selling their jewelry creations as a small business venture. And what do you do with the money you make from selling your bead jewelry? Buy more beads and more more jewelry, of course!

Part of the amazing charm about bead jewelry is just how easy it can be for someone to sit down and learn the basic skills of jewelry making in a matter of a few hours. As any bead jeweler will tell you, creating jewelry is one of those skills that only takes a few minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master!

While it's fun to sit around with some friends at a bead shop and all work on jewelry together there is a grim reality: if you're all making jewelry to sell then there's going to be a little competition between you and your friends for customers. In fact, bead jewelry has become so popular in recent years among just about everyone that I've heard some bead jewelry artists actually say they were quitting because there were too many people making jewelry and it was simply too difficult to sell anymore.

And while making jewelry pieces is fun and even easy at times, actually selling the pieces and building a business with clients and customers can be rather difficult, especially if you've never been a salesperson or run a business before.

Here are three ways you can promote your bead jewelry business without coming on too pushy or spending a lot of money on advertising.

Referral Bonus: On all your business cards you simply write the line "Receive $10 credit on any of my jewelry for every customer you refer!" How does this work? Let's say I sold a beautiful glass bead necklace to my child's daycare teacher. A week later the teacher's sister contacts you and has you create a similar necklace for her. You go back to the daycare teacher and say that she now has a $10 credit to use at any time for any other piece of jewelry she wants to purchase from you. Once people get the idea this really catches on! People will be going out of their way to have their friends buy jewelry from you so that they get a credit.

Donate to a Charity Gift Auction: A lot of nonprofit groups, charities, schools and churches have gift auctions where they accept gifts from local vendors and then auction those gifts off to the higher bidder, keeping the money made at the auction. You can donate a collection of bead jewelry like a matching necklace, bracelet and earrings and prominently display your business card in front of your jewelry. For the whole evening people will be looking over gifts and seeing your jewelry and business card. If you can put a stack of business cards in front, do so. You might be surprised how many people contact you after the event and tell you that they didn't win the auction but would love to see what else you have.

Mix Web Sales with Table Sales: Don't try to sell all your bead jewelry at one venue or the other. The people who are really running success bead jewelry businesses are hustling and cross promoting themselves all the time. List your website on the business cards that you give out at craft shows (even if they don't buy anything!) and mention the craft shows you'll be attending on your website!

There you go, three low-pressure way to increase your customer base and get your bead jewelry in front of more people. These things might not generate lots of sales right away, but if you stick with it you'll be amazed at how your bead jewelry business keeps growing and multiplying!

Article Source : Buy Diamonds

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Both Jt Miller & JT Miller 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.

Jt Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Appliances, Home Improvement How to and Jewelry. Visit the Blog to get more jewelry making ideas, news, trends, tutorials and beading business advice.. Jt Miller's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.

JT Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Appliances, Home Improvement How to and Jewelry. Visit the Blog to get more bead jewelry ideas, news, trends, tutorials and beading business advice.. JT Miller's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.