You Need a Lot of Beads!
I was just reading something that Cyndi Lavin of Mazel Tov! Jewelry Treasures mentioned about jewelry designing that I think is really important:
“I need to have tons of stuff readily available to be able to fantasize freely.”
This is so true and something I’ve come to realize as I accumulate more and more jewelry supplies and make more and more jewelry. While I sketch out designs, these are really just a guide.
Once I actually start the process of creating a piece, I need gobs and gobs of beads, findings, wire, and other jewelry components. I know this is probably not something newbies to jewelry designing want to hear because it’s taken me years to build my collection of jewelry making supplies. However, here are a few tips for the serious want-to-be jewelry designer when it comes to building your stock of jewelry making and beading supplies:
Set money aside on a regular basis. If you know there’s a whole sale show coming in 3 months, then be prepared to spend a healthy chunk of change at that show.
Buy what you like. Even if you have some design ideas in your head when you shop for supplies, be prepared for unexpected merchandise and buy it. Don’t stress over what you’ll do with it. If you like it, inspiration will come.
Bulk-buy when possible. For certain types of jewelry supplies, like findings or wire, do your best to buy in bulk. That way you’ll have loads of it on hand when needed and get a discount rate since you are buying in bulk.
Take advantage of sales. Some vendors have huge sales a few times a year. For example, South Pacific Wholesale Co. has monthly sales flyers, but at least once if not twice a year, they have a huge sale. When I was doing the show circuit, I used to look for their yearly sales because I could get hematite beads super duper cheap.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Basics - Getting Started, Beading, Designing
1 opinion for You Need a Lot of Beads!
The Basics - information & tutorials to get you started
Mar 14, 2008 at 8:15 am
[…] You need a lot of beads […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: