Hello Beaders,
It has been quite a long time since I have updated my blog. I have been very busy and just could not find the time (and truthfully, the inspiration) to update my blog. But I am back now, and you can all look forward to more tips and tricks to bead the best you can. So keep on checking out my blog for more!!!
And always remember to keep on beading!
~Taylor
Every beader gets stuck sometimes. Therefore, they hop onto the internet and search up techniques to make jewelry that isn’t theirs.
Here’s a simple tip, it’s called experimenting. Try around with different things, if it doesn’t work out, no problem. Just keep trying. You would be suprised by how beautiful jewelry turns out, even without an official game plan.
So next time you are in a beading rut, just take out all of your supplies and go crazy!!
With the current drop that our economy is in, prices are jumping higher and higher each and every day. While some think that this only includes food, all beading supplies are increasing in price also.
If you are not willing to spend an arm and a leg on a simple bag of seed beads, here are a few simple tips that could save you a couple of dollars.
1. Search at your local grocery stores. Look through clearance racks and search the back ends of the stores. Even though Jewel may not have the best selection of high end supplies, you could still find some great bargains that you may have usually missed.
2. Search online. Go to search engines looking for inexpensive online stores. You may be able to catch a few more deals. But be careful, some sites may list a very inviting price, then hit you with the sudden suprise of having to buy the beads in a huge bulk amount.
3. Some local stores, (at least located by me), would include Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Joann Fabrics and other original bead stores. Usually there are specials given just to email subscribers or frequent shoppers. Stop by the cash register before your purchase and ask if there are any sales going on.
Don’t let the economy bring you down. Keep on beading for a very afordable price.
You have just finished an amazing piece of jewelry. (It looks like something that would almost be too good for the queen of England). You add it to your growing inventory, yet when a customer kindly asks, “How much?”, you reply with a stutter and blank stare.
People who bead for profit often find that pricing is more complicated than the actual beading process. Yet, the following simple strategies will help you to charge the right price for your wonderful creations.
First, you will want to make sure that no matter how much you are selling your product for that you are happy with the price. If you feel that it can be tweaked, don’t be afraid to do so.
Secondly, make sure that you earn enough profit to go towards your own bank account and your supply funds. You never want to find your inventory short from lack of material.
Third, ask around. Talk to friends, family, neighbors, and fellow beaders. Show them some of the pieces you are selling and ask what they think you should price them. Then, you can get an idea as to what buyers will be willing to spend.
Lastly, look thoroughly at your product. Depending on what type of piece you have made, it’s overall durability and construction, and the type and quality of bead you use, you may want to charge a little more or less then you usually do.
The most important thing though about beading is not the money but the fun you have creating new pieces.
PICTURE THIS!
You wake up one bright, sunny morning. The birds are chirping, there isn’t a cloud in the sky, and flowers are blooming all about your garden.
You get cleaned up and head down to a scrumptious breakfast sitting on the table. After you finish eating and reading the paper, you decide that you’re in the mood to start a new jewelry project. However, when you pull out all of your supplies, you realize that your dull, boring beads just won’t cut it anymore. Unfortunately, you don’t know where you can get inexpensive beads quick and easy.
Your best bet would be the simplest one.
Open up your local phone book and look under beading or jewelry. You will probably find many small, yet local businesses that could really be helpful. Give them a call and ask if they have a website that you would be able to access.
If they do have a website that you can visit, give it a try. Usually, you can find a summary of upcoming classes, new products, and weekly specials. Also, most small businesses have wonderful sales in order to encourage new customers to stop in. And most beaders will find that local bead shops are very inexpensive because you do not have to pay for shipping and handling.
In addition, local bead stores are much more hospitable. Walking into a real bead store is much better than using the internet because you can ask questions and get a direct answer from a real person. To add, there won’t be anymore guessing as to what the color, “Lilac in the Golden Sun of Summer,” looks like. In a store you can see every thing up close to make sure that it’s exactly what you want.
As one can see, local bead stores easily beat the internet options. So next time you’re in a beading mood, pick up that phone book and get busy!
Gallery June 22, 2008
Tags: bead, comment, gallery, pictures, shopping
Hey Beaders,
I promised a gallery….and here it is!!!
Make sure to check it out. I know the pics are a little small, so if you want me to email them to you, I would be happy to. ( When you click on the pics to enlarge them, some of it gets cut off!!! So sorry!!)
Please comment my pictures, I want to know what other people think of them!!!
I’m going bead shopping today, so I should have even more up soon!!!!
Keep on Beading,
~Taylor