Becoming a Jewelry Designer

There are many techniques and styles of jewelry. While you don't need to pigeon-hole yourself into one particular technique or style, it is important that you master the medium you choose. This will help you to not only produce unique high quality jewelry efficiently, but will help you gain an excellent reputation in this business.

As an added bonus, becoming a "master" will give you the skill to develop articles or classes based on your designs, exponentially increasing your potential income.

When deciding what kind of jewelry you'd like to make, think about what types are most attractive to you. Do you like the look of stitched seed beads, or do you prefer wire? Perhaps simple is better, and you'd love to string gemstones. Try lots of styles and techniques that appeal to you!

Pictured here is a pendant I made using lampwork glass beads (made by me) and 16-gauge sterling silver wire. The sterling silver ball chain was purchased through a wholesale jewelry supplier. Lampwork is my first love, but I learned how to make wire jewelry so I could wear my own beads and jewelry designs.

You don't necessarily need to have a "head for business" in order to sell your jewelry designs, but you should have common sense and a willingness to deal with customers and all the issues that come with dealing with them. Keep in mind that if you do choose to design jewelry as a business, there are tax implications, and that you will most likely need to get some sort of state or federal tax ID number if you wish to get your supplies on a wholesale discounted basis.

If you aren't comfortable having to figure out pricing, finding venues to sell, shipping internationally, or handling customer complaints, there is nothing wrong with keeping your love for the craft of jewelry making personal. The word "hobby" is not at all disparaging. It just indicates that you've chosen not to turn it into a business. Take this time to learn all you can, and perhaps at some point in the future you will be more comfortable selling your jewelry or teaching classes for profit.

Setting your prices too low can hurt you - both in the lack of profit, and in gaining a reputation for "cheap" jewelry. Do your research and price your jewelry competitively. If you don't value your jewelry, your customers won't either.