Tips for Selling Handmade Jewelry Episode #1: How to Price Your Handmade Jewelry

[@debleonard9989]

What a fabulous video - - perfectly articulated, great info. and perspective. I've also been selling for years although on a much smaller scale and range. One thing I've shared with artists just beginning to sell their craft, whether pottery, paintings or jewelry is this. Pick out the piece that you think has the most value, and the one you think would sell for the least. Follow the steps you outlined in your video, then price those two items. For the visually oriented thinkers you may want to put things into groups of equal value. This may take out the 'blank canvas fear' and get it rolling. I look forward to more videos from Julie! This is without doubt the best I have seen. Anywhere! (And an added thanks for not adding loud music that distracts!) - Deb Leonard

[@Lauradicus]

One thing to be aware of when you’re just starting out… the customer(s) who offers to buy your work for the price of materials. Fine. Ship the materials instead of the finished piece. Works a treat! Seriously though. Another bit of etiquette is to not underprice the market. If folks know they can buy an item for five bucks when it’s really worth more than twenty the artists who rely on that twenty for their livelihood are truly disadvantaged. Yes, it’s a lot of homework but worth it in the end.

[@annitagalvan9049]

@Lauradicus, So well said! Artists must not underestimate their works of art and definitely not undervalue their items when selling. Customers will bargain for the least cost. Shoppers don't realize how much work has been involved in order to create a one of a kind handmade jewel. Every jewel has got its target audience who will buy the jewel of their preference.

[@reginam7370]

Hi Julie, I live in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. and I do a regular circuit of yearly Christmas Craft Show and Santa Shops in my area. One year I was at a show at a church and a lady, who was new to the craft show, came up to me near the end of the day when things were winding down and asked what I had been giving away at my table because I had been busy all day and sold to nearly every customer. I was a little surprised to know that I was being watched by other vendors. I just figured that everybody had been as busy as I had been. She had not sold anything! However, she had jewelry that her son in Los Angeles had sent her to sell. He had made the items for craft fairs local to him and had them priced for that community. The prices were 2-3 times higher than the highest prices of any vender at this particular venue. I believe my items were selling so well because I was getting repeat customers and I was (am) priced just slightly above the medium range for my area. I was selling well and still able to make a nice profit. SO---When pricing our items I believe it is important to consider the area of the country we live in - also the specific local economic level of where we live - in order to be able to make sales and thereby a profit. I live in an area that is a depressed automotive factory economy. A lot of people have lost their good paying jobs due to downsizing and/or factory closings and have had to find other, lower paying, jobs. Many have lost their homes and now live in rental homes or apartments or have had to move in with other family members. So we have to consider this and realize that these folks deserve to have a nice Christmas, too. I buy my jewelry making supplies in bulk so I can get lower prices in order to be competitive in my area. I felt so bad for this lady. She had not done any research for craft shows in our area - or craft shows at all! She just went with how her son had his items priced for his area of the country and expected to be swamped with customers/sales. I almost felt guilty for having been so busy and selling so much. Almost.

[@beadaholique]

This is excellent advice. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

[@suem.3651]

Very helpful. A tip I heard about materials costs: Factor full-price not a discounted price you may have paid, in case you can’t get that price again.

[@taranbam]

Very well explained. Never thought of those tips. Thanks for sharing and your guidance.

[@musicmama64]

This is a great idea for a series! Might you be doing an installment on crafter's insurance? I am in the process of getting quotes, and that would be very helpful. 😊

[@StephanieSharp2]

Great tips. I sell my jewellery at art shows and a local boutique. The arrangement I have with the boutique is that they take a 20% commission on the retail price, so I’m not selling it wholesale, but I am bumping up the retail price by 20% to take into account the commission fee. Just thought I’d mention that because a lot of shops work that way around where I live.

[@brenda121143]

Stephanie, what part of the country are you in. Thank you

[@StephanieSharp2]

@@brenda121143 I live in the U.K., and the shops and galleries where I sell my jewellery pieces are based in Carlisle, Cumbria. There is a really nice supportive local arts and crafts scene over here.

[@brenda121143]

@@StephanieSharp2 thank you so much for your reply. I have been out of the Arts and Crafts Direct selling for the 11 years since my husband passed away. I am doing some Commission beadwork for a few Native Americans locally but I'm really considering getting back into the direct sales Market. It is good to hear that the UK supports this type of thing. Take care

[@StephanieSharp2]

@@brenda121143 Thanks so much. I’m sure these videos from Beadaholique are extremely helpful for you as much as they are for me. Bless you. Take care and good luck with your beading. X

[@rickibaldwin7667]

very helpful. my issue is i tend to make labor intensive projects. could be 15 hours. i am thinking i should not try to sell those.

[@monahawk]

Consignment is another option for selling through retail stores. You have to wait until the item sells to get your money but, if you also have a website you can list that on your display packaging and use the retail space to advertise your name brand and website.

[@texasgina]

Thank you for this video. I haven’t opened up an Etsy shop yet although I have an account but I do sell on Mercari.

[@diannamarie464]

Thank you Julie! That was very helpful! 🥰

[@jenniferheraty1695]

Hello! Excellent video, thank you so much! I'm considering selling some real gemstone beaded necklaces I've been making. I've noticed they are really popular right now in the handmade market, but pricing seems pretty crazy from what I've seen - upwards of $1000+ (with 14K findings)! 😳 I have seen some with gold filled selling for $500-700, but even though the gem strands can be costly, I still feel this is so much money to sell them for. I know you mentioned not to underprice yourself in the market, however I'm not sure I feel comfortable charging that much and also not sure I could sell them for that much, locally at least (possibly online?). Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks! ❤️

[@Jessica-8585]

Thank you Julie. Very informative.

[@sk13ppy]

Thank you very much for your helpful video.

[@violetpereira3147]

Thanks Julie. Very helpful

[@jackiesullivan4334]

Thanks! This was very informative 💕

[@lillemanu]

Hi Julie! First of all: thank you for this video. That helps a lot! Now, I’m wondering if I have to calculate somehow my tools in the price of my items when I’m going to sell it? If yes, how would you calculate tools in your prices? That said, I also would like to ask you if you can make a video about finding a name for our jewelry business, with some hints pointing to do’s and don’t s. Thank you for being her! I love you guys! Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴❤️

[@Lauradicus]

Basically any tools whose cost is going to be factored in need to be depreciated over the life of the tool. So if you buy a cheap pair of, say, pliers at the big box store and spend under twenty they are going to last about 4-5 years with regular use. If you go high end and buy something like Tronex brand those are going to last decades. More than 5 times the life at about 5 times the cost.

[@lillemanu]

Thank you so much for answering my comments 🙏❤️

[@joon4yu]

Thank you so much. This was driving me crazy. How I know.

[@gwendugan2231]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@pamelaminor6154]

First, I want to say this is a great video especially for someone just getting started. Although, I haven't got to the selling part...still trying to figure out how to build my stash 🙂. Any pointers on that? But keep the series coming, I love it. And, thank you.

[@jenniferheraty1695]

Pamela, I've just slowly been purchasing things as I can afford them. 🙂 I wanted to make some gemstone beaded necklaces for myself, and purchased some beads, taught myself how, but then upon showing friends, they all said, you should sell those! 😅 We'll see if that actually ever happens, but I've been trying to slowly buy things here and there, as things add up quickly!

[@pamelaminor6154]

@@jenniferheraty1695 Thank

[@wandaizquierdo6183]

I realy want to become a part of my new me time .Thank you for you're time helping me..God bless

[@Orchidomania]

Great info 👍🏻

[@kimleon-guerrero9980]

Most people will also need to be mindful that you will be required to pay GRT’s - gross recites tax on the sale of your jewelry, either every quarter or once a year. Also most shows require you to have either a business license or a peddlers license.

[@suem.3651]

Question for all: Where do / did you buy supplies when first getting started and what do you have to do to qualify for Wholesaler prices? I don’t have an official business and sell informally right now.

[@reginam7370]

I started buying at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads and still buy there. Over the years I learned about Beadaholique, Beadalon, Bead Box Bargains, Dollar Bead Box (Club), etc. and have bought from all of them. I think you have to have a wholesale license to buy at wholesale prices. Not really sure, but I think that is how it works. You could look that up online. I don't have any firsthand knowledge on that part.

[@kaseygraham6525]

Any tips on vendor's license. Other fees? Do I need insurance? Do I charge for taxes and how to I pay the taxes? Separate from my own job? More tips please. Thank you for this post.

[@UNIVERSEBRIGHTESTSTAR1111]

Need your help and guidance guys. It is very strict in Mauritius for semi precious stones jewelries. It needs a permit from gemological department which is very strict. Time I got my permit, competitors are every corner of the roads but I have already invest and I have to work to pay that high cost permit in July. I buy findings online but the price I get never in wholesale or factory as mentioned but as retail price which cost me lots in materials that shipping kills. If someone knows where I can get gold plated/ silver plated findings on wholesale price for small business, please help. Thank you lots.

[@yiyiskblue8]

My Mom made beautiful jewelry that she sold in different boutique stores. She sadly passed away last year. She has hundreds and hundreds of pieces all made and I don’t know what to do with them. I would hate to just give them away because I my Mom took time and money to make them herself. What would you recommend?

[@beadaholique]

I am so sorry for your loss. Perhaps doing an artisan fair or putting them up for sale online would be a good idea. If it was me, I would probably do an inexpensive artisan fair because it is easier to sell a lot of pieces all at once and not have to go through all the labor of making an online shop, creating listings, etc. Have you considered too that maybe family and friends might like to purchase some? It sounds like they would hold special meaning for loved ones.

[@The2009butterfly]

Where would be a good respectable place to buy gems / beads in Canada ?

[@amandaleahspears]

I feel like people do not think of beaded jewelry as being just as costly as a precious metal jewelry

[@UNIVERSEBRIGHTESTSTAR1111]

Hope one day someone help with some guidance. God bless you all. Bye🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@melindacastillo1631]

What I've been wondering is how to set a price for second hand beads. I regularly buy beads at a second hand craft supplies store or from my freecycle community for free. Many of the beads are unlike any I've ever seen or are semi precious stones I'm unable to identify. Is there an easy way to factor these items into a project cost?

[@monahawk]

I price them as if they were purchased new. People don't have a right to know what you spent on your supplies - only you need to know that. A good buyer is worth their weight in gold. Price as the market around you supports. Also, you may want to make friends with a "rock hound" shop and a bead store - someone who can help you determine if some of those pieces you're using in your art are actually one of a kind, collector items, etc. Those things can actually be worth much more as can antique beads. It can be hard to determine "antique" as it varies from type of item sold. If it is an antique car that may be decades more or less of how old a bead has to be to be considered an antique. I haven't looked in a while but I would keep it in mind. If they are older beads you can advertise them as "heritage beads". Also, I keep a little slip of paper with each type of bead including price, supplier, country of origin, etc., for marketing and inventory / reordering info. Inventory control and the time it takes to accomplish that need to be figured into your cost as well. Cheers!

[@leanna107]

The only slight thing I think that was left out was factoring in the cost of any advertising, marketing, business cards, payment processing fees, etc.

[@gwnSana]

I think this video is more targeted at people that are relatively new to selling jewelry. And so if you're just starting then I presume you won't be making extra costs for advertising. The go to marketing platform will always be social media, which is free, initially. I think adding marketing costs to your price is only relevant when your business is picking up some steam and you think it'll be worth it to spend money on advertising.

[@gwnSana]

But nonetheless, that is also a good thing to take into consideration!

[@estelagonzalez3748]

I have made quite a lot of bracelets from videos I find on KZbin. Can I sell my handmade bracelets even though I didn’t design them?

[@beadaholique]

Unfortunately, if the original designer has copyrighted the design, it cannot be resold. However, we highly suggest using designs, especially ours, for inspiration. Making changes to color schemes, patterns or components will make the design your own.

[@estelagonzalez3748]

@@beadaholique thank you. I will be aware to not infringe on someone’s designs. I seldom copy the same color and mostly had something of my own to add cause even though I like some of the designs, it seems I always want to add to it.

[@flyingsquirrel5213]

Do you calculate different hourly rates for different pieces? For example, if a necklace takes longer to make than a pair of earrings, is the rate different? Sometimes I see beaded necklaces selling less than earrings, even though I personally think they should charge more.

[@beadaholique]

You can certainly charge varying rates for different styles of jewelry if you prefer, but we find it's easier to calculate labor costs with one hourly rate.

[@flyingsquirrel5213]

@@beadaholique Thank you so much for your reply and advice!

[@Palmi63]

Don’t forget sales tax, if applicable.

[@beadaholique]

good point!

[@Slimm_Sheedah1]

Is there a human anywhere that can help me one on one?😭

[@christinejoyce3113]

I have found that people will not pay the price, I have had people offer me £5 for something that cost me £15 to make just with the cost of materials alone!, then they have the cheek to demand free shipping on top, maybe the British are just cheapskates, but its soul destroying and makes me want to give it up as a bad joke.

[@beadaholique]

I am so sorry, I can absolutely relate. I once did an arts festival at a zoo and someone asked me if I would sell my earrings for $5 and were upset too when they were not sterling silver (for the $5 they wanted to pay). Some people just have no idea of the value of not only the materials but the artisan work that goes into it. But then I have done other shows were I have sold earrings for $75 or more and people were more then happy to pay that price. It really is a matter of finding the right audience and one that appreciates artisan work. With the zoo show, it was really not the right customer walking around to understand and appreciate my work. I hope you don't give up, your customer is out there.