Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Side Hustle Series: Sell Handmade Jewelry

Handmade Butterfly Earrings I’m sure you’ve seen the latest jewelry trends on the runway and in the stores. Did you know half of the trends you see started at someone’s kitchen table? Jewelry is no different. Visit any arts and crafts show or festival this year, and next year you will see the same designs being sold for retail. If you have any kind of creativity you can design and make handmade jewelry.

Materials for Handmade Jewelry Side Hustle

To get started you need basic tools including:
  • Needle nose pliers or other multi-use tool
  • Multi-gauge wires
  • Chains
  • Charms
  • Beads
  • Closures / Findings
 

How Much to Start this Side Hustle

If you are starting out making simple jewelry pieces your investment can be as little as $20. It will depend on the complexity of your pieces and the quality of your materials. There are jewelry kits for beginners that you can get on Amazon, at Michael’s, or other craft stores.

Level of Difficulty of this Side Hustle

The level of difficulty for making jewelry ranges from super easy to challenging. It will depend on what you are making. A simple pair of earrings can take less than a minute to make. If you are making your own crystals it could take weeks because you have to go through an intense process and a lot of heat to make them.

Where to Sell Handmade Jewelry

The number of places to sell your jewelry seems endless. You have the choice to see at arts and crafts shows, at yard sales, on consignment, hair salons, home parties or on your own website. You can also sell on numerous craft selling marketplaces such as: Etsy Yardsellr Art Fire Lily Shop Bonanza Jewelry Wonder
 

How Much Money Can You Make Selling Handmade Jewelry?

You can make as much or as little as you want selling handmade jewelry. It will depend on the uniqueness and quality of your pieces. For example, if you see a simple pair of dragonfly earrings for $10 each you could make $100 if you sell 10 pair. Depending on if you sell on your own website or through one of the online marketplaces listed above, you may or may not have to give up a small percentage of your sales. The faster you can make jewelry and the higher the demand for your pieces the better your chance of making a nice profit. Of course you have to let people know that you have amazing handmade jewelry for sale. Do this through social media, advertising, offering specials and discounts, and using a variety of marketing methods.

How to Make Handmade Jewelry

 

Additional Handmade Jewelry Resources

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Side Hustle of the Day: Become a Potted Plants Dealer

Side Hustle of the Day: Become a Potted Plants Dealer. I don't mean drugs but regular ol' house plants. If you have a green thumb and are a pro at keeping house plants alive you could seriously do this. Sell your plants to green houses and other garden centers. You can also sell them to your network of family and friends.