Shiney Lounge

Turn your hobby into an income…

Jewellery Designers and bead shop owners Jane Purdy and Amanda Pickstock have a plan to cheer you up! When all around us we hear tales of the credit crunch they are keen to share some reasons to be cheerful and reveal how you can capitalise on your jewellery skills and turn your beloved hobby into an income.

Prior to opening their two bead shops in Bristol and Bath, Jane and Amanda both sold their crafts through party plan in order to fund their hobby. Nowadays, they share their tips on how to successfully sell jewellery with their customers.

You don’t have to be a top class sales person to sell your designs; just wear your jewellery everyday and don’t be afraid to talk to people when they ask you where you got it. When someone pays you a compliment you could offer to do a jewellery evening at their house and encourage them with a gift of jewellery as commission for the sales you make. Coloured tissue paper is a stylish but inexpensive way to wrap their purchases and you can make your own beautiful table display with a remnant of material from the local haberdashery, raised up with some empty shoe boxes so the display is at different heights. Shells, pebbles, mug trees and cake stands are all props you may have lying around that can be decorated or used as is, to become jewellery displays. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to get started!

10 reasons to be cheerful…

1. You have a skill that can make you money
2. You don’t have to be an experienced sales person to sell your designs
3. The cost to get started is low
4. It’s fun sharing your designs with friends and strangers, especially when they part with their hard earned cash for something you have made
5. You’ll meet new people; it’s a great night out that costs you nothing
6. The word will spread and you may be asked for commissions
7. Whether you are an experienced jewellery maker or a complete beginner, you’ll know that in very little time you can potentially turn a pair of ear wires, 2 head pins and couple of beads (less than £1.00 approx.) into a minimum of £5.00! That’s a 400% mark up. If it takes you 10 minutes to add the beads, turn the loop and attach to the ear wires and it costs you £1 to make, you are charging £24 per hour for your time! No bad eh?
8. It’s a great hobby and an even better one when it pays for itself or pays you an income
9. When you start making money you can think about developing your income further by expanding your range and promoting your designs
10. It’s great to have something positive to focus on when times are tough.