Jewelry Making Findings Can Make Or Break A Jewelry Project

Jewelry Making Findings Can Make Or Break A Jewelry Project
By Ann Marier

Jewelry making findings are the essential pieces which make the
bead and wire a piece of jewelry. Jewelry making findings are
simply the components of any piece of jewelry; the findings
consist of clasps, head pins, ear clutches, jump rings and any
other manufactured or hand made component. Separate headings of
‘Findings” are listed in all jewelry making supply catalogs or
websites. A craft or hobby store will have the header listed in
their jewelry supply area. Jewelry making findings is a major
revenue business all by itself.

Ear Wire

Ear wires are the jewelry making findings that are used to
connect a beautiful earring body to the wearer’s ear. Ear wires
are essential when making earrings; they are generally silver,
gold and copper. There is also silver and gold plated, as well
as, gold filled. The 22 gauge is the size which is most used in
ear wires.

The ear wires are inexpensive to manufacture and are sold in
bulk. Ear wires can also be made by hand, and this could be a
way to distinguish your work from a manufactured earring. There
are many books and websites which contain instructions for
different patterns of ear wires.

Zip Lock Bags

Small zip lock bags are also considered jewelry making
findings. Plastic zip lock bags or small fabric pouches are
items which must be considered when selling your jewelry or
keeping it safe. Oils and everyday pollution will harm your
jewelry making findings and, therefore, must be kept in
containers before and after they are made into jewelry.

Sizes of these bags depend upon your necklace, bracelet and
earring projects. But jewelry making findings must always
include small bags of some capacity.

Clasps

Toggle clasps, jump rings, lobster clasps, S clasps and
magnetic clasps are all examples of jewelry making findings.
These are all necessary components to make any necklace or
bracelet work. Your beads or crystals, wire or chains and clasps
is all that it takes to make a spectacular necklace or bracelet.
But your findings are absolutely essential in the making of
these necklaces and bracelets.

There are many more examples, but the ones that are listed
above are the essential pieces. When researching for jewelry
making findings, look for quality first. In jewelry making
findings you really do get more ‘bang for your buck’.

Spend a little more for your findings and your customers will
turn into repeat customers and you won’t turn into a jewelry
repair business. When all is said and done, jewelry making
findings can literally make or break your jewelry making
projects.

About the Author: Ann Mariera writes articles about family life
and health issues. Each set of articles contain useful
information and advice.Her latest set are about making jewelry
and how to get started http://www.jewelrymaking-supply.com Visit
http://www.ultimatehealthinfo.com for full list of health issues

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Secrets to Starting Your Own Home Based Jewelry Business

Secrets to Starting Your Own Home Based Jewelry Business
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lenna_Green]Lenna Green

If you're good at making jewelry then starting your own home based jewelry buiness could be a gold mine for you. If you're anything like me, once you make your mind up to "have a go" it's easy to rush in amidst the excitement of it all. But this approach can bring you unstuck if you're not careful. Start by taking a pen and paper and decide on the look and feel of your buisness. Think about all areas of the business from your work space through to how you are going to sell your designs.

Take Time To Plan Your Jewelry Making Business

Craft businesses can be easily operated from home – especially jewelry making businesses. Your supplies, components, and tools are small and will be easy to store and transport. Your work area and materials aren’t hazardous and probably won’t pose any major storage problems. Although if you have small children you will need to come up with some storage solutions for your smaller materilas. Most people can easily run their business from one room in their home – I know people who don’t even devote an entire room to their business.

The Transistion from Hobbiest to Professional

If you’ve been making jewelry as a hobby, starting to make jewelry for profit won’t take much more room. The transition from hobbyist to professional requires little or no adjustment in the way you manufacture your products. You may already have sufficient work space in the form of a shop or workroom. Because you will be increasing production volume, you will probably have to find or create adequate storage space, and you’ll want an office of some sort for attending to all the details of running a business. Otherwise, you probably already have most of the tools and other items you need.

Musting up the Confidence

What you may not have is confidence. Confidence is every bit as important as skill. You must have confidence in your craft, in yourself, and in your ability to run a business and sell your products. My goal is to help you develop that confidence by helping you understand how to successfully run your own business.

Don't Undersell Yourself or Your Work

I know a lot of designers who are guilty of this one. Infact I have been guilty of downplaying my work and designs. It’s important to never think of your products as homemade, but rather as meticulously handcrafted to exacting standards. Handcrafted products are in great demand, because they provide customers with a quality you don’t often find: they’re handmade, they’re unique, and they can be individualized. Handcrafted jewelry often sells for a premium, because customers are willing to pay for something unique and special.

Should You Start Your Own Home Based Jewelry Business?

No one but you can determine whether or not you should start your own jewelry business, but certain indicators can lead you toward the right choice. Of course, if you have little or no skill, poor coordination, and no interest in getting better- find another business. If you don’t enjoy making jewelry, there’s no reason to start a business. If, on the other hand, you’re a competent artisan — even a good one — but have no patience for or interest in managing a business, then you’d better work for someone else and treat jewelry making as a hobby.

Even if the idea of being self-employed as a home-based craftsperson appeals to you, and you either have or are willing to get the necessary skills and knowledge, you still need to understand your strengths and weaknesses. This is part of the planning stage of your business. It’s a process that’s never too early to start and one you should continue throughout the life of your home based jewelry business.

For more information and resources for starting your own jewelry making business please go to [http://www.lennag.com/jewelrymaking.htm]http://www.lennag.com/jewelrymaking.htm.

This articles may be reproduced in any online medium provided the resource box is included with an active link.

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