August 5, 2008

Not knitting!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine came over to make dinner with me. We went down to the downtown mall before shopping for the ingredients and happened to wander into a bead store. They had a cute display set up with ready-made pendants. I took one look and thought "I can make those!", so we each picked out a few cute focal beads and some leather and brought it home to be crafty. (Sorry for the blurry pics...not sure why my camera wouldn't cooperate.)


We mostly used accent beads that I had in my *ahem* sizeable bead stash. I don't know why I don't make jewelry more often. I think I lose my patience with all the tiny beads, but I have soooo many beads I really should do stuff like this more.
I wonder if I could post stuff like this in my Etsy store (if I ever get around to setting it up properly). What do you think? Would someone buy these? How much do you think I could ask without over or under selling? This is why I don't have an Etsy store....I wouldn't have a clue how much to charge for things.

I know that the cost of the materials should be some sort of factor in the price, but some things, like jewelry, are hard to calculate the cost. For instance, if you buy something in bulk, like a string of beads, how do you know exactly what the cost was in making one necklace?I really like the way this round green one came out, it's a shame there isn't a better picture of it. The stone is that cat's eye kind of stone, where the light hits it and makes little rings and lines in the stone. This brown one is one that my friend made. I really like her design. The flower is made of shell and the brown round beads are wood. Very beachy

So what do you think, do I have a promising future in jewelry-making? (Assuming I can learn to take better pictures, of course.) It certainly has a higher finished object ratio than my knitting does.

8 comments:

Krista said...

I think those necklaces are gorgeous! I shop on etsy all the time and I have bought jewelry. If I saw those for $15 a piece I would think that was fair. Good luck! Opening up an Etsy shop is EASY. Finding a good name is the hardest part!

Unknown said...

what krista said is exactly what I would say. You just have to go for it. Browse other jewelry shops and see what they sell for, then price around the same. get into the forums and ask questions also, earthdream on etsy is really cool and makes beautiful jewelry as well as liquidsabre just to mention a few that I have talked to Good Luck!

Kate said...

I would definitely buy a necklace from your etsy store - those are so pretty, and I love unique, hand-made jewelry. How much were similar necklaces selling for at the bead store, or in other etsy shops? When you're setting a price, finding out what other sellers charge might be a good starting place.

Anonymous said...

You made some lovely necklaces. I'm like you, no idea what they'd sell for.

Rhiana said...

I think they are very pretty and would definitely sell in an Etsy store. Oh, and I was checking out your other posts and I think your socks are so cute. They look hard to make!

Unknown said...

omg, those are adorable!!! I'm inspired.. now I just have to get to the point I can go buy the beads and not over buy the beads!

Randi Troxell said...

beautiful pieces... and hey it takes talent not everyone had the patience to do this. very pretty. check out my blog at rltroxell.blogspot.com

Katy said...

Love your necklaces, found you on SITS today. Definatly put them on your Etsy -i didn't think anyone would be my bracelets but i sold one within 1 hour of putting them on!