Jewelry Making

Happy Hearts Day! Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I’m especially trying to get up to speed on featuring well-deserved DIY jewelry makers but it takes awhile to write these up. Anyhow, I realized I hadn’t changed out our Jewelry poll in quite awhile so here are the results of the last one which asked “Where Do You Buy Your Jewelry Supplies”?

I am actually quite surprised at these numbers… I had thought that they might be pretty equal across the board with perhaps some favoritism toward Jo-Ann’s stores. Also, I belatedly realized that it might be more interesting as a poll to lump Jo-Ann and Michaels together and call them “retail” and to add “wholesale jewelry suppliers” as a choice in the poll. I personally have not really bought “wholesale” jewelry in large bulk amounts from a bricks and mortar type place, but I think that quite a few online jewelry supply places have very similar pricing schemes.

And speaking of online jewelry supply stores, this was by far the highest vote getter in the polls with 170 votes. The internet has completed changed the rules of supply and demand and the need for a “real” store has been tossed out the window. I often think what it must have been like to have to buy ALL of your supplies in actual stores or through a print catalog. This must have been extremely time consuming and discouraging for part time jewelry makers.

I had actually thought that Jo-Ann might have beat out Michaels in terms of votes, but Michaels surprisingly won by an almost two to one margin. I visit both stores for small random jewelry supply thingies that I need right away that would take too long to be delivered through online stores. I guess Michaels may be better in terms of selection for jewelry supplies? This is at least the case for me. Both stores seem to often be pretty poor in keeping up inventory and keeping the types of items consistent. It’s a crapshoot if you’re going to design a piece of jewelry that is not necessarily one-of-a-kind based on something that’s sold at these two stores. You never know when they’ll run out of the items you need!

Still, for many people who don’t have other options in their area, they can be great places to find jewelry supplies. As for the 4th choice of the poll which was “Thrift Shops and Other”, this had a pretty good showing of 69 votes. I know a lot of crafty jewelry making folks are of the “reusable goods” mentality and that’s a great way to create a style for yourself. Thrift Shops, Rummage Sales, and Swap Meets can yield surprising treasure for jewelry supplies, especially for those involved in making special, one of a kind items. We’ve found many unique components that we’ve used for our jewelry at swap meets in our area.

OK, the newest poll that’s just gone up has to do with how your jewelry making endeavors figure in terms of business. IS it a business for you, or is it just a hobby? Or, for those who are just starting out… is it just plain difficult!?