The world of beads and beading can be both fun and lucrative. Have you ever considered starting your own bead business? Imagine how rewarding it would be to make money doing something you enjoy. There are a variety of ways you can make extra money with beads. Here are a few to consider:
Selling necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
There's a large market for handmade beaded jewelry, especially if you make sets of beaded jewelry designs. You can market your handmade jewelry through your website, at craft fairs, local boutiques, home jewelry parties, at your workplace, as well as through a variety of other outlets. Emphasize that your jewelry is handcrafted and you'll increase its appeal and marketability.
Teaching the art of beading and jewelry making
There are lots of people who would love to learn how to make their own jewelry but don't know where to begin.. Offer to teach a class on beading at a local school, club, or church. You can ask to be paid a percentage of the fee charged to each class member with the remainder going to the organization sponsoring the class. You could also work out a similar arrangement at a local bead or craft store. You could even offer beading classes in your own home. Add to your revenues by selling class participants the beading supplies they need to get started on their projects.
Custom jewelry designs for special occasions.
There are a variety of reasons people might want to have custom jewelry designed. Sometimes they'd like to showcase a particular pendant or centerpiece with sentimental value or they just want a unique look for a special occasion. One of the largest markets for this type of service is the bridal market. You might consider setting up an arrangement with a local bridal supply store or an independent bridal consultant company that allows you to make their custom jewelry requests. You would then be paid a percentage of the fees they collect. If you have this arrangement with several stores, this could be a nice source of extra income.
Designing and selling unique home accessories using beads.
There's no end to the household accessories you can accentuate with beads. Using heavy gauge wire and beads, you can create beautiful napkin holders and wine glass charms. Ordinary silverware can be transformed into artistic utensils by wrapping the handles with heavy gauge wire and beads. How about making plant sticks out of beads and wire? Use your imagination and you can come up with a myriad of marketable beaded home accessory ideas. These can be sold through Ebay auctions, a website, or at craft shows and boutiques.
Publishing your beaded jewelry designs
There are quite a few magazines in circulation devoted to the art of beading. These magazines are always looking for beading projects and ideas to publish. If you can come up with your own unique designs, these magazines may be interested in publishing your bead designs in project form. The next time you're at your local bookstore, look through the beading magazines and find out where to submit your designs and projects for consideration.
Beads and beading supplies.
Locate wholesale sources for beads and beading supplies and sell them directly from your website or via online auction. It would probably be to your advantage to specialize in one particular type of beads or beading supplies so you're not in direct competition with the larger companies. For example, you might specialize in artisan glass lampwork beads that you buy directly from the bead artist at wholesale prices. You can sell the beads separately or use them to design beading kits for the busy person who doesn't have time to come up with her own designs.
Unique beaded dog and cat collars
People are devoted to their pets and want to show their devotion by giving them the very best. These days this even means giving them jewelry. Design some cute dog collars using beads and sell them through local veterinarian offices, pet supply stores, pet shows and festivals, craft shows, and online auctions. Show photos of dogs wearing your beaded collars as a marketing tool. You can even donate a portion of the proceeds to your local animal shelter.
If you brainstorm a bit, you can come up with lots more ideas for starting a bead business Why not get started in a successful bead business of your own?
