3/28/05 | Bead Dazzled
Belatedly, I found this article online in The Plain Dealer about how jewelry making, and specifically beading, is a really hot crafting area right now. But I guess this should come as no surprise to anyone who’s seem the proliferation of all those bead magazines and even numerous TV shows and specials.
Fashioning beads into jewelry is the fastest-growing crafting trend in America, according to retailers, beading magazine publishers and industry experts who follow crafting trends.
Women of all ages - from teens to grandmothers - have embraced this creative endeavor. They’ve turned extra bedrooms and basements into studios, purchased the requisite jewelry-making tools and materials and thrown jewelry parties.
For those who make their living actually selling their jewelry, I’d expect that this is somewhat of a mixed blessing. On the one hand, with a higher profile there is bound to be a better selection of materials to choose from as well as better prices on supplies due to competition among craft stores.
On the other hand, an increased number of people interested in beading means that more people are likely to try to “make it themselves” rather than buying from DIY jewelry makers. In addition, more people are likely to take that extra step and try to sell their jewelry, thus crowding the market for current DIY jewelry makers. This wouldn’t have been so much of an issue say 15 years ago, but today the internet makes it so easy to sell your jewelry online so more people are likely to consider it.
Source:
The Plain Dealer
Bead Dazzled
