With a few thousand dollars of capital, crafty creatives can begin their journey in running a small jewelry business. A small jewelry business does not always require a physical storefront, especially now that ecommerce sales are booming and all age brackets are routinely shopping online for every imaginable need.
If you’ve been crafting with beads and findings for years and have already developed an innate sense of what people might like in your niche, then perhaps it’s time to take everything to the next level: starting a small jewelry business in 2023.
While a small jewelry business is not something that you can start in a week immediately, it’s something that you can plan for in the coming months so you can launch sometime within the year. And should you need a solid partner in jewelry making supplies, specifically in precious and semiprecious beads and findings and 925 sterling silver charms, Xinar is here!
Xinar has been helping people start their own small jewelry business for over twenty years. What started as a small store on eBay grew into one of the most reliable online jewelry supply stores on the internet for sterling silver beads and findings, gold-filled beads and findings, genuine copper beads and findings, and rose gold-filled beads and findings. We ship globally, and all our products are proudly made in the USA.
Methods for Creating an Original Piece of Jewelry
If you’re eager to start a small jewelry business, you know that ideas can come to you at the most inopportune moments. Due to the artistic nature of the jewelry design process, a firm grasp of aesthetic principles like balance and proportion is crucial to the development of a high-quality final product. Most today’s jewelers credit a combination of emotional and intellectual inspiration for their work.
The target audience for your small jewelry business and the method(s) by which you’d like to sell it should be considered alongside this. There are a few essential factors that every aspiring or practicing jewelry designer should think about to create a design that will last and make an impression.
Studying the Visual Medium
One must make an emotional investment in the process of learning how the various components of art work together. Great designs for a small jewelry business often make use of color theory, human perception, and variation. With this information in hand, you can theorize which color schemes and component combinations will produce the desired effect in your designs.
Consulting with Other Crafters
Visit your neighborhood craft shop if you’re at a loss for design ideas for collections for your upcoming small jewelry business. Have a look at everything they have to offer and try to conjure up imaginary combinations that would appeal to you and, hopefully, others. Store employees likely know something about the interplay between various components of design and may be able to offer guidance as to the best course of action.
Keep Sketching and Think of New Ideas
You should keep trying to create new designs even if you feel like you’ve exhausted all options. This is a common feeling. Before you spend money on the actual materials for your small jewelry business, invest in a good sketchbook and a set of all the utensils you’ll need to create the designs on paper. It’s common to have an idea in your head, but find that it looks completely different when put to paper. You can also use this opportunity to improve your drawing skills if you feel they could use some work. Success in jewelry design requires more than just a good idea; it also requires an appreciation of visual presentation.
Make Designing Your Own Sanctuary
Being in the zone is often necessary when trying to put thoughts to paper. Since a small jewelry business requires lots of effort and love, be sure that you set up a relaxing space where you can focus on designing and making things that stand out. If you can’t work from home, a quiet public place like a library is ideal, as you can peruse books on art theory and gemstones, both of which may inform your design. All in all, the design process will benefit greatly from your use of these references.
Learn from DIY Guides
It’s increasingly important to be able to make your own stuff now that we’ve entered the “Do It Yourself” era, as it’s known online. DIY projects in the realms of clothing, hats, crafts, and jewelry are consistently popular, and sites like Pinterest and Tumblr are excellent resources for locating helpful guides, walkthroughs, and tips for these endeavors.
But if you want to start making your own jewelry, whether for profit or for fun, you should learn the basics before attempting more complicated designs. Many of these online manuals are straightforward and simple to read, making them ideal for beginners. How do you begin if this piques your interest?
Source the Right Materials
Before buying jewelry supplies, it’s always a good idea to have an idea in mind for the items you want to make for your small jewelry business. If you’re having trouble visualizing the tools and materials you’ll need for a project, try drawing or writing out your ideas on paper.
Wiring and beading may seem intimidating at first, but once you’ve practiced the fundamentals a few times, you’ll get the hang of it and be ready for the next step. It’s a chance to try something new by giving some thought to a template. Michaels is a fantastic arts and crafts supply store, and they have a dedicated jewelry section where you can purchase gems in bulk, as well as jewelry making supplies and inspiration in the form of patterns and designs.
Keep Everything Organized
Make sure you have a place to work where you can unwind and concentrate on your tasks at hand. Making jewelry, or getting engrossed in any other kind of craft, can be a great way to relax and unwind. Keeping your workspace organized will also help you keep track of your smaller (and often more valuable) supplies.
Expect Both Wins and Losses
Not everything will work out perfectly the first time you try it. The same holds true for the jewelry industry. Just like learning to paint or trying to lose weight, these things require time and effort. The reality should always be in the back of your mind so that you don’t get down on yourself when something doesn’t turn out the way you hoped it would. Working harder and keeping a positive outlook are the keys to success.
The Best Way to Learn is by Looking at Other People’s Work
You can learn a lot by researching the procedure on the internet or by consulting a knowledgeable employee at your local hobby shop. Jewelry making, like any other hobby or craft, can be expensive (especially when you start working with rarer and more valuable gems), but it can be very rewarding if you put in the time and effort to master the craft, whether for the purpose of gift giving or for the purpose of starting a business.
Local Strategies for Promoting Your Jewelry
Designing and making your own jewelry is a thrilling and enjoyable activity. In addition to making a living doing something you enjoy, you’ll also get to experience something new every day. If you’re truly dedicated to this artistic pursuit, coming up with designs and shaping pieces that people love will become your passion. You’ve launched your company and are ready to begin selling, but you’re not sure how to go about it. How can I get the word out about my company and its wares? What’s more important is figuring out how to get the word out about your artwork to locals. Many business owners take the same series of actions to build a name for their products in the marketplace, generating interest and sales.
Put Yourself Out There in Shops
Getting out there and promoting your jewelry on foot is the first and most important step in marketing your business. The first step is to distribute flyers in local art supply stores that describe your company, brand, and how interested parties can get in touch with you. Because they want their customers to be successful and return to them for supplies, many of these locations will have community bulletin boards for your use. Going to the local boutiques and making deals with the proprietors could be very lucrative as well.
Find Out Who You’re Talking To
Making jewelry under a generic brand name that no one cares about is the worst thing you could do. Since people of different ages—from teenagers to retirees—tend to have different tastes and interests, it’s important to narrow your target demographic before you begin marketing. Check out what’s popular now to get a sense of what your pieces ought to look like, how they ought to feel, and what sort of materials they ought to be made of.
Follow the Rhythm & Make Some New Friends
If you despise the people who pass out flyers on the street, you should know that there are benefits to joining their ranks. Putting up a booth and advertising your product at a festival can bring in a lot of customers and money. Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and many other social media sites are great for spreading hype and getting people interested in your products; so, be courteous, approachable, and always have alternate means of contacting you.
Appreciating That Effort Is Required
A successful brand doesn’t happen overnight, just like Rome wasn’t built in one. Keep in mind that doing any one of these things won’t magically lead to success, and that you’ll need to always keep your wits about you.
You need to be a social entrepreneur who is willing to put yourself in situations where you may feel out of your element.
People prefer artists they can get in touch with, commission original works from, and ultimately enjoy. With enough effort, positive recommendations and a strong personal brand can take you far. With the advent of the Internet, there is now a fantastic opportunity for widespread advertising.
What About Flea Markets?
Despite the value of word-of-mouth advertising, selling wares at fairs and flea markets is different. In the context of an event, with so many options available, people are more likely to browse and make a purchase of something that catches their eye, more than anything.
This fact alone has led to widespread adoption of a previously untapped market. The fair is a great place to meet new people, spread the word about yourself, and make some sales. Remember that even the most prestigious names in a field had humble beginnings.
Fairs and flea markets may seem like a baby step if you’re already established, but they’re not. It’s a great chance to spread the word about your jewelry business and gain some much-needed exposure.
Talk To Organizers
That needs no further explanation, but in short, you can’t just show up at a fair or flea market and start selling stuff. You may have to spend money to make a sale, but if you do it right, the investment will pay off quickly. If you want to set up shop in a particular area, it’s a good idea to have a chat with the property or building owners to learn the rules. Even though larger booths may initially set you back more money, the investment is often well worth it if it allows you to showcase a greater number of products.
Inform the People and Spread the Word!
You shouldn’t be afraid to talk to people, and they shouldn’t be afraid to talk to you, even if you’re a complete unknown as a maker just starting out. To make a sale at any of these events, you must first let the public know that you will be present. And when you’re there, you should make an active effort to engage in conversation with anyone who approaches you. Far too often, those working the counter do nothing while customers browse; you may be annoyed when they repeatedly ask if they can help, but others will be inspired by your active engagement in the business.
Try Flyers?
Anybody, including a kid, could do a fantastic job in this position. There is the potential for more people to visit your booth if you advertise and market in these areas. The more people who hear about your presence, the more likely they are to come check out your jewelry booth.
Keep In Mind That It Might Take Some Time Before It Catches On
It’s possible to do everything right and still not get anywhere in this world. Especially with fairs, it’s important to keep trying until you find success. Success will vary depending on the location, but after a while, people at community fairs will begin to recognize you and your brand. If you really want to make it big, you should advertise yourself everywhere, not just at the fair and the flea market.
