I am writing this guide in hopes that it will help others that are interested in making jewelry them selves or if it is just a hobby. I don't know about all jewelry designers, but I do know when I started I could not afford to just jump in with two feet when I got into this business, whether it be a hobby or not.

Growing up I have always liked shiney baubles, my father being in the military we moved a few times. I was raised in Colorado, Springs, then my father got station in Gaum. I love water and the ocean was just great! I always collected beads, shells, flowers anything to string and wear. 1977 at the age of 9, I took up Hula and we made our own necklace with coral, bamboo, you name it we did it. We moved to Illinois in 1979 and had to leave many of my tools and beads behind, due to the shipping weight to move us to the States.

I fiddled with a few beads here and there and then, got back into making jewelry for only myself and friends a hobby that turned in to a business. I purchased all my tools and just started with metal beads or what they call 'Bali Style' beads, nickel, pewter, etc,..I would start out with glass, vintage beads, cracker jack beads, just to make a design. If any of my items sold, I would then take the money I made and slowly start purchasing higher end metals such as 14kt gold filled, 14kt gold, sterling silver etc., It takes time making a design, sometimes it is out of pure luck or a lot of dismantling before you get what you like in a piece.

If you have a certian style or flare, go for it, make it your own and have fun with it. For those who make wonderful charm bracelets with the items I mentioned above and make a good living at it 'KUDOS' to you. If it is what you do and do well keep doing it. For those starting out, join a few community forum here on ebay they will help you and give you great tips. If you would like to see what forums I have joined just check out my about me page at the bottom.

BUYING BEADS

AAA+ Amethyst

When buying beads make sure each bead on a strand looks good, look for cracked beads, or any that you don't want on them. I always hand pick my own strands when going to a show. I have a tax I.D. number and some of those wholesale vendors are not wholesale prices (I run across that a lot). I do try to keep my cost low so that when designing I can sell my prices at an affordable price to my customers. In some cases it does not always turn out that way. I do have some quiet higher end pieces of gemstones and beads that I do not sell here on ebay because no one would pay those prices in my jewelry pieces. I have some strands that cost me, as low as $59.00 with less then 16 beads. My higher end beads at $89.00 a strand with 16 beads. Just always make sure you look at each of your strands carefully.

Genuine Fossil Coral

If you are unable to go to shows eBay is the way to go for you then. The cost is reasonable then going to a bead retail store paying the retail price plus tax to make a design then marketing it up to make a sale would be high. When buying beads on eBay, it is great most of the time, there are some underhanded sellers, that want to just make a buck.  Just make sure they show enough pictures that you are happy with the strand of beads you are buying. Always ask questions. Be sure to check there feedback. Read the description that always helps.

Only problem I have had buying beads through other eBay stores/auction. The picture is great but the strand they pick for you (item pictured is usually not the one they send you-unless stated), has a few flaws throughout the strand. I only have less then a handful of stores here on eBay that I buy from that have a great reputation of there beads/gems that I buy from more often, because they have great customer service. Others, I have had bad luck because the item was not as described or pictured. Ebay is a great venue to buy and sell your items. I use ebay outlets when my distributors don't have what I need, or out of stock, which is rare. 

I bought this for my collection

 BUYING U.S. HANDMADE LAMPWORK BEADS

I have bought many handmade U.S. lampwork beads here on eBay. I support the U.S. Artisan SRA (self-representing artist). They are handmade by themselves and are not mass produced. Each artist makes sure each items is kiln and annealed for durability. They are properly cleaned from any bead release and any debris. They stand behind their work.

When incorporating them into a design, make sure it is the right size for bracelets and/or earrings, etc. Most artistan lampwork artist will state in there auction what size they are, there might be 3 the same size and the other to smaller just in case you make earrings.

I buy my handmade lampwork beads locally from artist that charge by the bead. The lowest costing me $8.00 for each bead up to $12.00 for each bead. I only buy from them when I can't find what I am looking for here on Ebay. I also buy focal beads as part of my collection, some I will turn in to a jewelry design, but for the most part I keep them for me, the higher end pieces.

BUYING STERLING SILVER BALINESE  BEADS AND KAREN HILL TRIBE BEADS

Karen Hill Tribe Beads      &                Balinese Beads

When buying decorative sterling silver make sure you buy it by the strand on ebay, then going to buy at a retail store, retail stores will usually charge by the gram or per bead, and it will cost more. Make sure you buy from a seller with great feedback. I use my distributors it is a lot less and when I am there I can hand pick my strands. Karen Hill Tribe beads are .999  sterling silver and may vary on how much silver is actually in them but it is a lot more then .925%.  Balinese beads are .925 they are more intricate and just as beautiful as Karen Hill Tribe beads. They are both handmade by talented smith workers. Balinese beads are not always uniform for each dot is placed on the bead one at a time along with the delicate whirls. These beads can be costly depending on the silver cost that day.

You can buy these stunning beads and have it crated over here to the states. The weight of these beads are unbelievable. The last I recalled about 6-7 years ago the lowest cost to me was $2,500 and the largest was $5,000 to crate. I believe to Chicago. By now my overseas bead stash is getting low.

Make sure you buy in bulk when using round seam less beads such as 2mm, 3mm, and up.. that way when designing you don't run out of beads.

Desert Flare Necklace

SELLING YOUR DESIGNS

This is a necklace I designed and sold many years back. Once you gather the beads and fidings you want to use. Lay them out in front of you and move them around a few times to see how you would like it to look. Once you decided then string them together.  I don't put close off any ends in case I am not sure. I use to tape off one end, but don't do that anymore. I don't know what they are called but they look like small coils you push together to slide the wire between and release it to have it hold the wire in place. If you don't like using a flat surface when you design, you can buy one of those beading boards. I have a flat surface with a large felt pad underneath so that my beads don't move around a lot. Once you have your design in place then it is time to calculate what it cost you to make it and then price it to sell for retail.

As a designer, it is up to you what your time is worth. I know some charge $8.00 and up an hour for there design time on top of the retial cost.

PRICING

 For example: The strand of turqouise was $19.00 and had 16 beads on a strand.

Take 19.00 divided by 16 beads, which would give you the cost of each bead.

 The bead cost would be $1.19 a bead. I used 9 turqouise beads

The turqouise beads cost $10.71

Finishing calculating all the bead strands individually to get your cost of the necklace. That goes for all materials used, crimps, clasp, findings, wire, etc. once you get all the cost then you can figure if you want to sell your item for 100%, 200% 300%.

I don't charge that high for my pieces. I do know a lot of jewelry designer here on eBay do.  MY charge depends on materials used and what the cost I paid for them at that time. I do a small mark up (below 50%) and for things bought in my state I charge state tax as well. Every 3 months a lot of paper work for me whether I buy/sell. Most of the time my beads are upon availabitliy. Trust me I am not making a killing here on eBay. My ebay store fees/fees cost me more then some of my pieces I make.  

Visit my ebay store or review my other guides I have written.

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