If you're afraid that turning your hobby into a business might only complicate your life, realize that once you starting earning from something you love doing, fear will be out of the picture. Sure, selling your handcrafted jewelry will require some business sense and responsibility, but the amount of 'work' that you will be putting into the entire endeavor will be no way near tedious. Why? Because you'll be enjoying it.
Getting Started
The first thing you need to consider is who your target market is. Since handcrafted jewelry is the Achilles' heel of almost all women, you need to think about designs and colors that would appeal to them. To find this out, you can start with yourself. How do you want your jewelry to look? What makes are compatible with which occasion or activity? What colors and materials are 'in' right now?
Next, show what you've created to your friends. They are your second biggest critics (after yourself). Organize a girl's only gathering at your home so you can show off what you've made. Invite suggestions on how to make a certain piece of jewelry look more attractive and elegant. Figure out how you can stand out.
Once you've determined your particular style, create a brand out of it. Branding your handcrafted jewelry means all of the trinkets you make have some trait that is uniquely yours. This will help make your designs stand out among the many fashion jewelry designers out there. If you love butterflies, you might want to attach a small butterfly charm near the lock. Placing your mark at this location is a good way to stamp your mark without compromising the key design.
Selling Your Wares
You can start off with referrals. Have your friends wear your creations everywhere they go (They will be glad to do so, trust me!). Once the word is out, you can start building your client base by bringing your jewelry to handicraft fairs, parties, casual meetings, online jewelry shops, and basically every place where there are women.
Don't be shy about showing your creations off. You don't have to make a hard sell by shoving your pieces to your clients' faces. You can be your own mobile store by wearing the most attractive ones and trying to incorporate the handcrafted jewelry topic into conversations. There is no women's gathering where it would be awkward to bring it up, so don't stress too much about it.
If after reading this article you still feel that business is not for you, you can try the reselling route. Lia Sophia is a good place to start if you're still hesitating to get into the fashion jewelry business on your own. Here, you will be able to talk to different women who share your love for handcrafted jewelry, while earning a modest profit. You never know, once you realize how many women are equally or more passionate about jewelry as you, a business would be born.
