Creative and Collaborative: 6 Unique Crafts for Families This Summer

Families with children between the ages of 3-17 are preparing to spend around $470 over the summer. Most parents charge an average of $1,019 on their credit cards for summer activities. Entertaining the family during the summer isn’t always the most affordable task to complete, but there are a few ways to have some inexpensive fun.

This summer, plan on diving into a few unique crafts that the entire family can enjoy doing together. You can spend the day inside the house, enjoying the backyard, or soaking up the sun in a local park while creating DIY jewelry and other fun craft ideas for families. The best crafts are the ones that bring the family together and give the children something to keep them busy when out of school.

In our guide below, you’ll find a list of several unique craft ideas to try this summer. Continue reading to get started!

1. Seasonal Wreaths

There’s a seasonal wreath for just about every month out of the year. You don’t have to only focus on holiday themes. You can also create a summer-time wreath, a spring wreath, and so on. 

Then, when a special holiday is approaching, switch out your seasonal wreath for the holiday wreath. With so many different holidays, special occasions, and seasons throughout the year, you and your children will be making wreaths all summer long! Start with a wreath base

Then, collect some fun items associated with the season or holiday you want to use the wreath for. You can easily tie and hot glue various items to the wreath to make it look the way you want. Flowers, pinecones, and ribbon are just a few examples of accessories to add to your own wreath. 

2. Sewing Projects

Sewing might not be the first activity you think of when determining something for the entire family to do, but sewing is a great skill to have and teach to your little ones. Although it might seem like something difficult to teach, there’s an easy way of doing so. 

Use a recycled styrofoam meat tray to get you started. You’ll then decide on what shape you want to sew on the tray. Use a stencil if needed and poke holes in the tray to create the shape. 

Make sure the holes are spread out evenly throughout. You can make letters, hearts, pumpkins, flowers, and more! Then, you and your little ones will use a thread and needle to sew the thread through the holes to create the image. 

Make sure to teach your little ones sewing techniques and sewing safety. 

3. Marble Paintings

To create marble paintings, you only need a few items: paper, paint, and a toothpick. Choose two colors that’ll blend well with each other and pour them on a blank piece of paper. Make sure you start with a small amount of paint first and work your way up if more is needed. 

Once you have the two colors on the paper, you can then take a toothpick and start to swirl the colors together. Don’t worry too much about a specific pattern or design. Give your little ones a toothpick and let them go for it! 

The toothpicks will create the marble look between the two colors. 

4. Fairy Gardens

Building fairy gardens is a good way to get the children outdoors. Fairy gardens can be as simple or as complex as you’d like them to be, so they’re ideal for all ages. To get started, choose a pot or something similar to build the garden in. 

Make sure whatever you choose can withstand outdoor elements. Then, see what you can make of it! Lay down some dirt and plant a few small plants or succulents. 

You can also add a small fence, rocks, stone mushrooms, fairy houses, and even bridges that connect one pot to another. You can purchase items for your fairy garden or make them yourself using various items such as popsicle sticks and marbles. 

5. Rock Painting

You may have seen small painted stones around your neighborhood. Painted stones have become popular recently and contain hand-painted images or quotes. Now it’s time to paint your own. 

You can purchase smooth stones from your local arts and craft store or try to find some around the yard. Clean them up nicely, and then paint your own image on them. You can even use these in your fairy garden if desired! 

Paint flowers, ladybugs, fish, butterflies, and other beautiful pictures on them. Spread them around town for others to find and enjoy if you have extra.

6. Kindness Keychains

There are several ways to make keychains, so the type of keychain you make is up to you. You can use beads, string, and a keychain ring for a simple keychain kit. Loop the string around the keychain ring and send the string through the beads. 

The beads can be plain colors or have letters on them to spell something. When using letter beads, think of something kind to say. You can say something like, “you’re kind,” or “you’re a good friend.”

Your children will not only enjoy making these keychains but will enjoy passing them out to friends as well. 

Which Unique Crafts Will Your Family Try This Summer?

School’s out, and summertime is here! Summer is the perfect time to bond with family. What better way to do that than creating memories while making unique crafts? 

Use all of these great ideas listed above to get you started. Then, visit our shop to find all of the arts and craft supplies you’ll need this summer. We have a wide range of various supplies, including kits and kid’s crafts. 

Click here to shop all. 

How to Start Building Your First Jewelry Kit

In a 2020 report, in the custom jewelry category, 38 percent of respondents reported an increase in custom jewelry sales compared to 2019. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, making jewelry was a great way to have fun and de-stress inside during the lockdowns. Making jewelry is a relaxing hobby, it’s so soothing as you string each bead to create your own unique pieces.

Whether you’re keeping it for yourself, giving it as a gift, or selling it online, DIY jewelry is in demand more than ever. You can buy a pre-made jewelry kit or you can make your own. 

If you’re just starting out making jewelry, you’re going to need your own jewelry kit. What’s a jewelry kit? It’s where you keep your jewelry-making supplies, jewelry tools, beads, and other jewelry pieces.

Want to know what you should put in your jewelry kit? We’ll tell you in this guide.

Please keep reading for more information.

Flat Nose Pliers

An essential part of every jewelry kit, flat nose pliers will be one of the most used jewelry tools in your kit. Flat nose pliers have a multitude of uses, including helping to tuck and bend your wire ends and complete your wrapped stones. They are also helpful tools for opening jump rings.

Round Nose Pliers

Round nose pliers are well-suited for smooth curves. If you’re making your own jump rings, hoops, and loops for bracelets and earrings, and clasps, you need a tool that can create a natural circle. This is where round nose pliers will be an all-star of your jewelry kit. 

Wire Cutters 

You’ll need wire cutters for cutting your jewelry craft wire to the right length. These are especially good to have on hand for any thick gauges of wires that are harder to cut through. Make sure you get a good quality one that can create a clean-cut that won’t fray your wire tips.

Wire

What would a jewelry kit be without one of your most vital jewelry-making supplies, your beading wire? You should stock several gauges (thicknesses) of wire in your jewelry kit for many different jewelry projects.

It is recommended you have 24, 26, 28, and 30. The higher the number, the thinner and finer the wire will be.

Jewelry or craft wire comes in copper and stainless steel. This is usually covered in thin nylon for extra smoothness.

Use high gauge wire for delicate projects and lower-numbered gauges of wire for pieces that will have some weight to them. 

Cord

If you prefer to use another medium for making jewelry besides wire, choose cord. Cord is a versatile and sturdy alternative to wire.

Cord comes in bright colors and also more natural earthy tones. It is a fun way to play with texture and style.

Cord is made from nylon, jute, hemp, plastic, faux suede, satin, leather, and faux leather. Keep several styles and types of cord in your jewelry kit to enhance your jewelry-making supplies.

Tweezers

For dealing with small or delicate beads and charms, tweezers are an amazing tool for making jewelry. You can also use tweezers to hold down one end of a length of wire while you string the beads on the other side.

If you need to knot or unknot a section of wire, tweezers are small enough to maneuver into tight spots and help you finish your projects. Tweezers are one of the best multipurpose jewelry tools. Tweezers with a magnifier are two jewelry tools in one.

Earring Findings

If you want to make earrings, you will need earring findings in your jewelry kit. A finding refers to any item used in the production of jewelry making.  This includes findings for studs, clip-ons, hooks, and hoops.

For long dangle earrings, you’ll need head pins. These are pre-cut lengths of wire with a flat or decorative bottom or a small loop at one end, called an eye pin. This keeps the beads in place.

With these, you’ll place your beads on it to rest on the head pin at the bottom, and then just bend the top part into a loop that connects to a hook or clip-on earring mount.

There are many colors of earring findings including rose gold, sterling silver, gold, black, and brass. With earring mounts, you can also choose from styles such as lever back, French hook, chandelier, ear screws, kidney, or shepherd’s crook.

Clasps

For bracelets and necklaces, clasps are vital for holding your creations together.

There are traditional lobster clasps for necklaces and bracelets. These are perfect for dressier jewelry pieces. They provide a firm hold.

But another way to finish your jewelry pieces is with a toggle clasp. These will give your jewelry a more modern and eclectic look. Toggle clasps add their own extra layer of embellishment. 

Beads

What would making jewelry be without beautiful multicolored assortments of beads? Beads bring color and dimension to all of your projects and no jewelry kit would be complete without them. You can buy individual strands of beads or buy them in sets. 

Glass beads, gemstone, acrylic, metal, crystal, stone, wood, resin, plastic, and more. Take your pick, you can’t go wrong.

The more different types, colors, sizes, and styles of beads you have, the bigger the possibilities are for amazing creative projects. 

Charms

Charm pieces are wonderful accents for making jewelry that pops and catches the eye. You’ll definitely want to fill your jewelry kit with them.

Go big, bold, and modern with chunkier pieces of gemstones and pendants. Or use small charms as accents. Charms are also ideal for bracelets and even for making jewelry pieces like earrings

Find Everything You Need For Your Jewelry Kit at Cousin DIY

Making your own jewelry kit is just as fun as it is making jewelry. You can customize however you want with jewelry-making supplies.

With the right jewelry tools and accessories, you’ll be on your way to making beautiful and unique jewelry pieces in no time. DIY jewelry is entertaining and a great creative outlet. 

Cousin DIY has everything you need for making jewelry and so much more in stock at low prices. We also carry a wide range of other arts and crafts supplies too. View our range of products on our website today. 

Contact Us with any comments, questions, or concerns. 

10 Easy DIY Gifts You Can Make in Under an Hour

The majority of participants in a study agreed that they would far prefer DIY gifts to store-bought. There’s something about a handmade gift that feels very thoughtful and personal, and really shows you’ve put in some effort.

If you love the idea of creating a handmade gift for someone but aren’t sure where to start, we can help.

Here are some ideas for DIY gifts you can create in under an hour.

1. A DIY Mug

If you’re making a gift for someone who drinks coffee every morning or just appreciates a good hot chocolate, a DIY mug is one of the best handmade gift ideas.

You can buy a porcelain pen and a plain mug and draw your own design. If you don’t consider yourself artistic, consider a handwritten message instead.

2. A Jar of Sauce

Are you making a gift for a foodie? Consider creating your own BBQ or buffalo sauce to present to them in a jar.

This is a great gift because you can customize it to the person. If they’re a spice fiend, get more peppers in there to really turn up the heat. If they prefer something sweet, you could make a sauce with more sugar that will really please their taste buds.

3. A Date Night Jar

Trying to think of ideas for a creative project for your significant other? Consider a date night jar!

Get any plain jar (that you can decorate if you want) and cut up some strips of paper. Write some date night ideas on them, fold them up, and put them in the jar.

Whenever you want an exciting night or can’t decide on where to go, your partner can pull one out of the jar!

Try to include places and activities that you know they love.

4. Personalized Coasters

Coasters can be an amazing personalized gift, as you can find a kit to make them and then decorate them with things you know the person loves.

Whether it’s images of their favorite movies, logos, or text, they’ll know you made it just for them.

You can use cork, ceramic tiles, or a bunch of other materials depending on what you can easily access and there are plenty of guides available on how to do it right.

5. Jewelry

58% of women would prefer to receive jewelry as a gift over anything else. Jewelry is something you can wear for a long time that reminds you of the person that gave it to you — and it doesn’t just have to be for women either.

Consider creating a necklace or bracelet for the person you want to give a gift to. You can string beads together and even find beads with letters to have it say a message, like a name or a love note. 

6. Bookmarks

Do you have someone who loves to read on your hands? Do they still often opt for physical copies of a book over an e-reader?

Consider making them some bookmarks! The great thing about these is that you can make them from a whole bunch of things.

You could get some cardboard, decorate it, and laminate it, or you could find strips of fabric in their favorite colors and patterns.

The possibilities are endless. Look online for plenty of design inspiration!

7. Artwork

If you’re artistic and want to keep it fairly simple, you could give them some artwork for room decoration. Paint them something, or create a list of reasons you love them in fancy typography.

If you’ve traveled together or there’s a place you know they love, consider getting a photograph blown up on a canvas. This doesn’t take long to order at all and really has that personal touch to it.

8. A Phone Wallet

Know someone who’s always dropping their phone and having to pay for cracked screen repairs? Consider making them a phone wallet out of felt or another soft material.

This is really easy to do as long as you know the rough size of their phone and, best of all, you can customize it. Choose a pattern or color you know they like and if you want to go all out, you can add a message to it and they’ll think of you every time they look at it.

9. Knitted Bows

Considering a knitted project but don’t have the time to take on something that will take over an hour? Consider some bows!

Some people love to wear bows in their hair. Even if they don’t, bows can be used to decorate a whole manner of things — and much like some of the other ideas, they’re very customizable.

Make them in black and white for a sleek monochrome look or pick some fun colors if they’re more into that.

10. No-Bake Cake

Instead of sauce for a foodie, consider a cake. Baking usually takes a long time and between the prep work and baking itself, you could be there for well over an hour — but what about a no-bake cake?

There is plenty of cheesecake and other cake recipes online that don’t require baking at all. Simply mix up the ingredients, organize them as the instructions tell you to, and put them in the fridge for a certain amount of time to let it set.

Once you discover no-bake recipes, you may never go back to more traditional cakes!

Consider These DIY Gifts

The best gifts are handmade, but that doesn’t mean you need to carve hours of the day to put effort into them. There are plenty of DIY gifts that you can make in under an hour, and your recipient will really appreciate them.

Need crafting materials? Check out our bundles and kits as well as all of the other materials we have on offer.

How to Wear 2022’s Color of the Year

Pantone recently revealed the color of the year, and it’s a brand new one created specifically for 2022. PANTONE® 17-3938 Very Peri is a gorgeous mix of periwinkle blue with violet undertones.

If you’re looking for new and creative ways to incorporate the 2022 color of the year into your wardrobe, you’re in the right place. We’re going to give you some fashion advice and tips on how to rock this trendsetting color.

Here are some creative ideas to inspire your inner fashionista.

What Is the 2022 Color of the Year?

We mentioned Pantone’s color of the year, Very Peri, but what is the color of the year, and why does it matter?

The Pantone Color System solves the issue of color matching in the printing industry. Each Pantone color has an associated number to make color matching easy. It’s a critical color matching tool for designers, manufacturers, and more.

The Pantone Color Institute created the Color of the Year in 2000 as a concept for marketing, branding, designing, and much more.

Many entrepreneurs and artisans eagerly await the reveal of the new color of the year, as consumers often want to stay trendy. For instance, making beaded jewelry is a great way to hop on this trend.

So what’s the big deal about Very Peri? Why did Pantone choose this color to represent 2022?

According to the company, Very Peri represents carefree confidence and curiosity that fuels our creativity. It’s a symbol of the transition we’re all going through this year.

The blue tones certainly evoke a feeling of the digital world and the importance it has on our lives right now.

What About Other Colors of the Year?

While Pantone is the go-to color matching system, it’s not the only company with a color of the year, and it’s not the only trendy color in the fashion world.

Here are some other trendy colors of the year and the associated company releasing them:

  • Pantone: Very Peri
  • Krylon: Satin Rolling Surf
  • Minwax: Gentle Olive
  • Benjamin Moore: October Mist
  • Better Homes & Gardens: Laurel Leaf
  • Sherwin-Williams: Evergreen Fog

Regardless of the company, you’ll notice a trend among the colors of the year. Most of them are tranquil colors, with tones of blue, green, gray, or earthy hues. Maybe it’s all the stress we’ve all been through the last few years, but these colors are a welcome change that makes anyone feel more at ease.

How to Wear Very Peri

We’re going to focus on Very Peri for the rest of the article, but you can use these tips with the other colors as well. So now that you know more about the color of the year, how do you incorporate it into your wardrobe?

You have a few options. You can go all out, rocking this color as the main part of your outfit, or you can add in a splash of color with accessories.

Go Bold

If you adore this color, go bold and make it the main focus of your outfit. Buy a shirt, pants, or a dress in this color and become a trendsetter for the spring.

The great thing about popular colors like the color of the year is that you’ll soon see it everywhere in stores. It was certainly everywhere on the runway.

If you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own clothes too. Find a nice breathable fabric and make a dress or sew a spring jacket.

Accessorize

If you don’t want to commit to wearing too much of this color, you can add subtle pops of it to your outfit with accessories.

You could buy a purse or a hat, or pick up a pair of sneakers in this trendy color. Jewelry is probably the easiest way to incorporate a natural color like this into your wardrobe. A bold necklace or bracelet would be perfect, and you could pair it with any of your go-to outfits.

Make Your Own Accessories

The easiest way to take advantage of a trendy color is to make your own accessories. We mentioned jewelry being the best way since you can mix and match the pieces you make with your existing wardrobe.

For example, you could make a beaded bracelet, a pair of dangle earrings, or a layered necklace. Choose periwinkle-colored gemstones or beads and mix them with complementary colors.

Check out some of our DIY videos to discover the latest trends and tips for making the perfect accessories.

Matching Colors

The best colors that go with this shade of periwinkle blue are shades of green, white, orange, yellow, and shades of purple with red undertones. Other great color combinations include using variations of gray or going with a monochromatic theme and varying similar shades.

Match your outfit and accessories using the color wheel for the best results. Start by experimenting with monochromatic hues, complementary, split-complementary, or analogous colors.

Monochromatic colors are light or dark variations of a color, such as periwinkle blue.

Complementary colors are opposites on the color wheel. They work well together because the visual contrast helps enhance each color.

Split-complementary colors are two analogous colors across from a complementary color. For instance, a dress with violet and indigo print would look great with orange jewelry.

Analogous colors are next to one another on the color wheel, such as red and orange.

These techniques work the same way in design as it does in fashion. Understanding the science behind color can help you effortlessly work the color of the year into your outfit.

Discover Your Creative Side

Pantone’s color of the year for 2022 is the stunning Very Peri, a color that you can easily work into your outfits or accessories. If you love working with popular colors and being trendy and fashionable, why not make your own accessories?

We carry everything you need to make your own jewelry. Discover your creative side and get started by mixing the color of the year into your accessories.

The 4 Jewelry Trends You Won’t Want to Miss in 2022

Well here we are again a fresh start to the new year which can only mean one thing… new jewelry trends. So, let’s get into it! 

What are we seeing overall? 

The runways for 2022 are not for the weak of heart. They were filled with bold, statement pieces where each piece was more impressive than the last. A good way to put it is imagine your favorite cookie, you think how could this get any better? Well, warm it up and add a scoop of ice cream, suddenly it’s better than the first. This is the state of our current runways. Each piece is somehow more impressive than the previous.  

We saw throwbacks to the past which led to many of the â€śremember when,” statements. But also funky twists that took us by surprise. That being said, we had a lot of fun creating our DIY pieces this year!

Y2K is Back! Are you having Flashbacks to the Aughts? 

The early 2000s had memorable fashion trends. Millennials are thriving right now remembering what they wore “back in the day,” as many of those same trends have resurfaced.  

These pieces are loud and proud. They are bright, colorful and stacked one on top of the other. We’ve also seen a mix of materials from glass to resin.  

We made a 2000s inspired necklace using our resin kit!  

This was super fun to make as you can pick your resin colors and shapes! Want to spice it up and add some glitter, no problem! Each pendant you make out of resin will be unique and unlike any other. With our custom made pendants we had to pair them with an equally fun bead. While exploring the depths of our warehouse we found these bauble beads. Let me tell you these beads really do make the necklace. 

The size and colors of these bauble beads are just so fun. I don’t think there is a better way to put it. I do know one thing, it’s impossible not to smile when wearing this necklace. Pair it with a basic white tee-shirt or an animal print, either way you can’t go wrong.  

DIY here

Don’t Forget your Arm. 

This trend made an appearance in just about every fashion show. This year our arms will most certainly not feel left out. Arm cuffs are back in session.  

We decided to make two different styles so there were options. First, we made this black studded cuff. If you’re a beginner at jewelry making this is a great project for you. This option is more edgy and it’s important to note it doesn’t go around your whole arm, just half. Being so, it allows you to wear it comfortably on both your upper and lower arm. 

This next cuff we made is entirely from scratch. Meaning we didn’t start with a premade base like the previous cuff. This one is made to be worn on your upper arm and will fully go around it.  

With having the whole cuff being made out of wire you can made each one custom to fit the person. So there’s no worry of it slipping during your day.  

When you’re getting ready to head out the door this year, don’t forget to throw on your arm cuffs. 

DIY here

The Choker. 

Time and time again we see chokers resurface. Each time with a new twist. For this year the magic words are big, thick and chunky. Chokers are typically worn as they sound, close to the neck. This year we noticed the chokers got even smaller, because somehow that was possible.   

 

We decided to create a tortoise colored choker made out of acrylic links! Once again I’m happy to say if you’re a newcomer to jewelry making this DIY has the stamp of approval. The acrylic links comes together much like a bead strand and you’re able to disconnect and reconnect them however you like. We also decided to add a pendant in the middle just to spice it up. This isn’t needed but we thought it brought a little something extra to the choker.  

Chokers are fun to create so, we actually made 2 more. Now these are ever so slightly longer and both include a stone pendant. One aspect of the use of stone pendants in jewelry is that no two stones are ever identical. Therefore the jewelry pieces won’t be identical. Just a slight difference in color or shape of the stone can really alter the overall piece. 

Which of the three do you like best? 

DIY here

They Say Save the Best for Last for a Reason. 

Our final trend we wanted to highlight might not be as widely popular. We all expect jewelry trends that consist of earrings, necklaces and bracelets, however this one was slightly outside the norm. 

Body Chains 

This isn’t completely new. Body chains have existed and been popular before, but this trend came back with a bang on the runway. We saw these paired with bathing suits and worn directly on the skin. However, these were also spotted paired with normal clothes and worn on top of an outfit. 

We made a body chain to be worn on top of an outfit, however you can wear it any way you like.  

We wanted ours to be eye catching and really stand out for being different. To do this we made it out of a delicate gold chain with a piece that goes around your neck and arm. It’s a jewelry piece that for being as light and airy as it is, somehow it’s also a statement piece.  

Who knows what body chains will look like at the end of 2022? But we’re excited to see how they evolve. 

DIY here

That’s a Wrap. 

As always we love looking at the current trends. Every year they seem to get more interesting and more of a challenge when we ask ourselves, “how can we recreate this at a lower cost?” 

Who knows what 2023 will bring us as far as jewelry trends, but we can’t wait to find out.  

A Quick Guide on How to Start Your Own Jewelry Business

Do you dream of turning your passion for jewelry-making into a business? More people are starting businesses and side hustles they enjoy to pay the bills. A recent report revealed that a whopping 85% of people hate their full-time jobs. 

So how can your turn your creative hobby into a career? Setting up a jewelry business can be tricky if you don’t know where to start. If you do it right, you could create a profitable and enjoyable career.

Are you interested in learning more about setting up a jewelry business? Here is everything you need to know to get started. 

How to Start Your Own Jewelry Business

Is it time for you to quit your day job and start your own jewelry-making business? If you have the tools and knowledge to craft beautiful pieces of jewelry then you might be ready to start making money from your creations. 

Decide whether you will start full-time or part-time to maximize your chances of success. You should be financially prepared to start your new venture without impacting your monthly income.

Write a Business Plan

Before you start buying materials or searching for customers, you should write a business plan. In your business plan, you should include details about your product or service, finances, and competition. Consider how you will market your product and whether jewelry making is the right option for you. 

Writing a business plan will increase your chances of success as an entrepreneur. Does your business fill a gap in the market? Identify your target customer by doing some market research.

You should also include details about the products you’ll be selling such as cost and retail pricing. Getting the pricing wrong could scare off your customers before you get started. Check out what your competitors are doing to get a feel for how you should price up your own products. 

Design Your Brand

Do you make luxury jewelry or fashion jewelry? Your brand design will depend on what type of product you are selling. Defining what you sell will also help with developing a business name. 

Coming up with a memorable brand name and logo is everything. Ask friends and family to offer their thoughts on your ideas before deciding on the overall look of your business. Think about what you want your customer to see when they look at your products. 

Check to make sure that no other business has the same business name as you. Run some checks with the trademark office to get the green light for your new business name.

Form Your Business

When you know the name of your business you can start filing your legal documents. You’ll need to register your business to make it a legal entity. You can also trademark your business or product to prevent other companies from taking your ideas. 

There are a few different ways that you can form your business. The best option is to register as a limited liability company (LLC) to protect your personal assets. You could also register as a sole proprietor but this will not provide as much protection.

Depending on your state, there may be licenses or permits that you need to sell jewelry. Check with your local authority to make sure you are doing everything above board. 

Buy Equipment & Supplies

Making jewelry requires lots of different equipment including wires, beads, and chains. If you are making luxury jewelry you might even need a 3D printer. You’ll also need to source quality gemstones and metals for higher-priced products. 

Now that your passion is a business you may need to work quickly to produce results. Additional storage and specialist tools will help you run your business smoothly.

What you need to buy will depend on the type of products you want to sell. Try looking in local craft stores and other small businesses to find inspiration for your new pieces. 

Develop a Marketing Strategy

Spread the word about your wonderful business through promotions, social media, and trade events. Your customers will only find you if you promote your products in the correct channels. Attend networking events and collaborate with other business owners to form valuable connections. 

The quality of your product photos will also speak volumes to your potential customer. Ask a professional photographer to take some high-quality photos of your products to showcase on your website or online store.  

Start Selling

All of your paperwork is in order and you are ready to sell your products. Do you want to start an online business or sell jewelry in person? Start off with one method of sale before branching out to different locations. 

There are various websites that allow you to create an online store for free. Once customers start visiting your store you can think about expanding and developing your website. You could also sell through social media platforms and other selling websites. 

Opening a physical store to sell your products is more complicated than starting online. Try selling your products at craft fairs and trade events to develop some interest in your jewelry before committing to opening your own store. 

Start Your Jewelry Making Business Today

Starting your jewelry business will take time and preparation to ensure success. Remember to test out your products with your customers first to see what is popular. Once you know what your customers like you can put time and energy into producing more of those products. 

Are you looking for wholesale jewelry-making supplies for your business? Take a look at the dazzling bundles and kits at our website. You’ll also find DIY videos, project inspiration, and more to help you on your journey to success. 

5 Tips to Help You Start Creating Fantastic Jewelry Today

Are you looking for a way to create awesome jewelry that people will admire? Do you want to have a way of making pieces that no one else in the world has access to? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about jewelry making. 

Doing so can help you pick up a fulfilling hobby. You’ll love getting the chance to create your own pieces of art and either wear them yourself or give them to friends.

See below for an in-depth guide listing several helpful tips that can help you kick up your jewelry-making at home right away.

1. Find Your Inspiration

Have you found yourself rolling your eyes when you see redundant themes like heart-shaped necklaces or earrings? If so, then you need to find a way of creating unique jewelry for yourself.

True, genuine jewelry designers always find the inspiration behind the pieces they create. When you really think about it, jewelry is a form of art and those that wear it are benefitting from the original inspiration of the artist.

For that reason, we recommend that you maintain an open mind when you start jewelry-making at home. All you need is to find someone or something that challenges your thoughts or helps you to have a different perspective.

For example, let’s say that you’re outside one night staring up at the stars with your kids. You might create a bracelet to remember that moment or use it to fuel positive vibes. You can use blue and black gemstones around the bracelet with silver charm pieces in different shapes to represent the stars you all were staring up at.

Inspiration is all around you. We challenge you to keep your eyes peeled for anything that you can try to replicate in your jewelry. Whether it’s a field of sunflowers or the waves of the ocean, almost anything can be represented in the jewelry you create. 

2. Stock Up Before You Design

Typically, when people pick up a hobby, they think that it’s wise to only invest in certain things when they’re finally in need of it.

For example, some people who are into jewelry making have the misconception that they should only purchase charms, beads, etc. piece by piece. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Like we just mentioned in the paragraph above, you never know when inspiration will strike. But when it does strike, you’ll want to get to your jewelry-making table right away, bust out the supplies, and get to work to capture your thought.

If you wait until that inspiration comes to purchase the beads, charms, stringing, and so on, then you’ll have to wait a few days for the items to ship.

We recommend that you stock up on different items from the get-go. That way, you at least have pieces that can help you establish the foundation of your newest piece. You can always purchase a specific item or two if you feel that the jewelry piece really calls for it.

But here’s the thing: whenever you do make those one-off purchases, make sure to buy a few extra. That way, you have them ready to go the next time you want to use them.

3. Create a Budget

As with all great hobbies, it’s wise to create a budget for you to stick to each month. Otherwise, those one-off purchases start to add up quickly. 

We recommend establishing a monthly budget for this hobby. How much can you set aside for purchasing jewelry materials and making sure you have everything that you need?

You’ll find that this budget gives you a bit more accountability in your jewelry making. You’ll be more intentional with using the pieces you’ve purchased, rather than just buying them in bulk and never touching them again.

Once you improve your skills, you may even start to sell your jewelry for a small price, which can give you more money to spend on materials for your jewelry-making hobby.

4. Grow Your Knowledge

Perhaps you’ve noticed that all of your jewelry pieces are looking eerily similar. Maybe you’re tired of making the same style of necklace, bracelets, etc.

Whatever the case might be, you always want to continue to learn. This will keep challenging you to improve your skills, expand your ideas, and grow your repertoire of jewelry design.

There are many places you can go for more jewelry-making tips such as YouTube videos, our blog, Facebook groups, and more. Find your preferred method and set aside some time to learn a new trick or two.

5. Keep a Portfolio

Have you ever designed a piece of jewelry for a friend, given it to them, then wished there was a way you could’ve kept a piece of it for yourself? 

It’s for that exact reason that we recommend all jewelry makers keep a portfolio of their work. Always take pictures of the finished pieces and keep them somewhere that you can reference at a moment’s notice.

For example, you could create a social media page that shows all your different creations. You could invest in a Polaroid camera and keep an awesome journal of those that you make.

Start Your Jewelry Making Journey Today

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on jewelry making and all of the tips we recommend, be sure to use these to your advantage.

Take the time to read this article for more information on how to find the best wholesale jewelry supplies for the pieces you create. For more inquiries, please be sure to contact us by phone at 1-800-366-2687 and we will be happy to assist you further.

How to Make DIY Jewelry That Looks More Expensive Than It Is

Are you a born crafter? If you are, then you’ve probably come to a point where you’re feeling more confident. You know how to use your tools a little better and you’re wondering how to take your DIY jewelry to the next level.

If you’re looking to make your jewelry look more expensive, you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you’re getting ready to gift your DIY jewelry this holiday season. Or you may be considering launching a small business to sell your wares.

You’ll look forward to the surprise on people’s faces. They’ll feel shocked that you’ve been making jewelry that looks far pricier than it is. Follow these practical tips to boost your made-at-home jewelry pieces.

Consider Your Colors

Expensive jewelry usually has more muted colors than cheaper jewelry. Costume jewelry is often bright and cheerful. Bright colors are great when you’re working with kids’ items.

If you’re looking for a fun kit for children, choose happy, fun colors. But when it comes to making DIY jewelry for adults, consider colors carefully.

Using only one or two colors when you’re beading can immediately boost your jewelry’s look. Even choosing a monochrome color palette can add an air of quality to your pieces.

Look For Quality Pendants and Beads

If your DIY jewelry budget is big enough, you can look into semi-precious stones for your work. If you’re not using semi-precious stones, try to use clear, high-quality beads. Make sure you choose a quality bead-making kit when you start.

If you want to use pendants in your DIY jewelry pieces, keep an eye out for enamel and settings. If the enamel work looks messy, your jewelry will look cheaper.

You don’t need to pile on the jewels or beads. In fact, this usually reminds people of costume jewelry.

For example, say you want to make a pair of earrings. Try one or two gorgeous high-quality glass beads per earring hook. Contrast that with 10 or 15 beads hanging off your earring.

Usually, a few higher-quality pieces will translate as more expensive. 

Minimalistic Materials

Expensive jewelry is often more minimalistic in design. That’s because the materials used are high quality and expensive. The designer wants to showcase the quality of the material rather than distract you.

If you’d like to mimic this design approach, you don’t have to break the bank. Try using a metal stamping kit to make pendants. With a few delicate lines or shapes, you can create beautiful DIY jewelry.

You can even customize the stamping to spell out a name or word. This adds to the expensive feel of the jewelry, since engraving usually costs extra.

Customized metal plate pendants make amazing holiday gifts. At very little cost, you can make minimalist pieces from a jewelry kit. Not only that, but the customization will make it feel extra special. 

Scale Down Your Size

Costume jewelry and inexpensive jewelry are often large. Think plastic crystals, blindingly shiny metal, feathers, tassels, and so on. If you want your DIY jewelry to feel expensive, consider scaling down the size.

Make your pendants smaller and delicate. A single pearl bead on a thin gold chain looks more pricey than 10 plastic crystals hanging off a long, thick brass chain.

You can create luxury DIY jewelry with a few materials. When you scale down, you actually create more perceived value. It’s a funny case of “less is more” when it comes to jewelry design. 

Choose the Right Clasp

When you’re making a necklace or bracelet, pay attention to the clasp you choose. Some clasps are attention-grabbing.

If you opt for a big or chunky clasp, like a toggle, make sure it is of good quality. A tarnish-free, statement clasp can elevate your jewelry. 

How You Wear DIY Jewelry Counts, Too

Planning to wear your DIY jewelry yourself? You may be wondering how to make sure it looks more expensive than it is. Think about how you wear and style your looks.

Try to layer delicate necklaces and bracelets. The bigger an item is, the more space it needs to shine. If you have large gold hoops with delicate beads on them, you may want to skip necklaces that day.

The same goes for bracelets and rings. The bigger an item is, the more you’d want it to shine if it were an expensive investment. Treat your DIY pieces the same: give them room to breathe.

After all, everyone else may never know you made it yourself for a fraction of the price of retail items! 

Presentation Is Key

Last but not least, don’t forget your presentation. When you buy expensive products, the packaging is high quality. The company will invest in branded boxes.

They’ll also often use tissue paper or velvet inside the box. If you’re using a pouch, look for a satin or suede drawstring bag. This matters, especially if you’re launching a small business to sell your DIY jewelry.

Selling your jewelry will require you to set up a webshop and create branding. Keep your packaging in line with the branding you set up for your company. If you plan to photograph your pieces, make sure your photography is top-notch.

These elements will bring your DIY jewelry to the next level. Your jewelry will look pricier than it is because people will be impressed with how they receive it. 

Expensive in Looks but Not in Cost

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to make your DIY jewelry look way more expensive than it was to make. Your crafting and hard work will pay off.

No matter if you’re giving it away or wearing it yourself, you can be sure your work will look pricey and high-value.

Ready to get crafting? Be sure to check out our crafting kit offerings here.

Jewelry Tools: What Do You Need To Start Your Own Jewelry Store?

Are you getting into jewelry making? Making and selling jewelry is a great way to collide your artistic creativity and making money!

Before you start your new journey, you need to make sure you have the right jewelry tools. It may seem like you could use just anything to put your jewelry together, but having the right things will make the process a lot easier.

Here are the top jewelry tools you need to start your business.

Pliers, Pliers, and More Pliers

The most important tools you will need to make jewelry will be a variety of pliers. Needle nose pliers and round nose pliers being the two most common. 

Grab this toolset which also includes side cutters and you will be set for beginning your jewelry-making journey. 

Beads & Accents

Once you have decided what kinds of jewelry you want to make, you can start picking out the beads and accents you want to feature. 

You need to know the materials you want to use before purchasing the stringing material, findings, claps, and any additional tools. Look into wholesale jewelry supplies so you can purchase your beads for less and make a higher profit off your jewelry.

Stringing Material

There are many different materials you can use to string your jewelry, the most common being wire and thread. Depending on the beads and materials you are using, you will have to purchase different gauge wires. 

Make sure you either start with a variety of gauges or that you double and triple-check the size you need for the beads you are using. 

Clasps, Findings & Other Jewelry Tools

Depending on the jewelry you are planning to make, you will need to purchase bases, clasps, or findings. How will you close the necklaces or bracelets?

When shopping around for different styles, consider who you are making the jewelry for. If you choose to make earrings for children, you might want to make some clip-on earrings, as there is a lot of controversy over children’s ear piercings

What metal will you use for rings and earrings? Consider the quality of the metal you are choosing. Hypoallergenic, real metals, gold, and silver are always the best choices for people of all ages and genders. 

Selling Your Jewelry

When you are ready to start selling your jewelry, take a look at online selling websites such as Etsy. A lot of local farmer’s markets will allow you to rent a spot to sell your products.

There is also the option to start selling to friends and family and then starting to branch out from there. 

Go Get Your Jewelry Tools

Making jewelry is a very tedious but rewarding hobby that can easily be made into your own online or physical store. Your first step is to acquire the tools and start buying some beads!

Head over to our website and pick up a 6 piece tool set of essential jewelry tools from Cousin DIY you will be ready to make your jewelry dreams come true!

What You Need To Know About Wholesale Jewelry Supply

Why should you buy from a wholesale jewelry supply store?

Before we answer this question, consider this. Did you pick up a new skill while staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic?

You’re not alone: a lot of people took up new skills like baking, jewelry-making, and crafting to pass the time while in quarantine. Many of these people took their new skills and turned them into profit. As a result, there has been a small business boom in the past 15+ months.

If you’ve dreamed of selling your handmade jewelry, now is the time to make that dream a reality. Even if you aren’t selling your creations and simply want to make jewelry for yourself, you can save money when you shop at a wholesale jewelry supply shop. 

In this article, we tell you what you need to know when you buy from a wholesale jewelry supplier. 

Benefits of Buying Wholesale Jewelry Supply

Before you can make your small jewelry business dream a reality, you need to buy supplies. Jewlery-making supplies can be expensive, forcing you to charge more for your finished product.

Shopping wholesale allows you to lower the costs of your products and therefore lower the costs of running your jewelry business. It would be more expensive for you to go to your local craft store and buy twenty strands of beads than it would if you bought those same beads in bulk from a wholesaler. 

When you buy in bulk, you can pay less for jewelry tools and supplies without sacrificing quality and increase your profit margin. 

Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Buy

You don’t want to go in blind when you make a wholesale purchase and end up with something you won’t use. Before you take out your wallet, ask yourself the following questions and avoid buying something you’re not happy with:

What Style Of Jewelry do You Want To Make? 

Do you want to make funky dangle earrings or stylish necklaces made with eye-catching glass beads? Each style of jewelry requires different supplies, which is why it’s important you know what you want to make before you buy. 

What Kind of Materials Are You Looking For?

Knowing the kind of materials of jewelry you want to make is also important when planning what you need to buy. For example, sterling silver jewelry findings are going to cost you more than brass ones with sterling silver plating.

When you know what materials you want, you can cross out suppliers who don’t sell what you’re looking for. This makes the process of finding the right wholesale jewelry supplier go much quicker. 

How Many Supplies Do You Need?

Wholesale jewelry suppliers have a minimum purchase volume (MPV), or the least amount of product they are willing to sell you at one time. If you have your eye on wholesale beads that have an MPV of 1,000 pieces and you only need 50 beads, then there’s no need to overbuy.

You want your supply to stay in line with your demand so that you can avoid being stuck with beads you don’t need and can’t sell. 

Are You Making Jewelry for Yourself or To Sell?

If you’re buying jewelry-making supplies with the intent of selling your final product, you need to get a business license and tax ID number first. If you buy your supplies wholesale for the purpose of making jewelry for yourself, then this step is unnecessary. 

What’s Your Niche as a Small Jewelry Business?

As a jewelry business owner, your niche is different from the style and material of the products you sell. Your niche helps you stand out from other jewelry businesses. Your niche may be that you only sell book-themed jewelry or that you make your jewelry using paper.

Whatever your niche might be, you need to make sure that there’s a demand for it. Otherwise, you won’t make much of a profit.

What’s Trending?

Likewise, you want to sell jewelry that’s trendy. You won’t move much product selling jewelry that’s considered out of fashion. 

Tips on Buying From Wholesale Jewelry Suppliers

Now that you’ve answered these questions for yourself, you can start looking at wholesale jewelry suppliers. Keep the following tips in mind while you search:

Do Your Research First

You wouldn’t buy your clothes from somewhere you know nothing about, so why buy from a mystery wholesale jewelry supplier? Not all wholesale jewelry suppliers are made equal, so vet the supplier first before you purchase.

A good way of gauging how your experience with a supplier will go is by reading verified customer reviews. 

Look for Their MPV 

If a wholesale supplier is selling charms for jewelry making at an MPV of 100 pieces, but you need only 10 charms, ask them if they are willing to sell you a smaller amount. The supplier may be able to accommodate you. 

Keep an Eye on Shipping Time 

Don’t buy supplies in bulk two weeks before your product launch date if you know your supplies will take a minimum of four weeks to ship. If the supplier is selling products manufactured in another country, you want to allow for extra time to account for international shipping. 

Cousin DIY: Your Wholesale Jewelry Supplier 

Now that you know everything you need to about buying from a wholesale jewelry supplier, you can avoid buying bulk products you don’t like and make purchases you’re happy with.

When you need jewelry supplies, you can rely on Cousin DIY to provide you with quality jewelry-making supplies and an excellent customer experience. We are your one-stop wholesale jewelry supply online shop.

Cousin DIY is originally out of Largo, Florida, and has been a family-owned company for over 40 years. Browse our small findings blog for more tips and information on jewelry and craft making. 

Winners #DIYchallenge – Earth Day

Thank you so much for all the beautiful entries in this week’s #DIYchallenge. We love to see all of the upcycling projects, it’s always amazing to see every day’s items in a new artistic form.

This week’s winners are:

Rosanne Rosenberger

#DIYChallenge Earth Day Sterling Silver with Tanzanite from a beginner class I teach…

Rosanne we want to learn from you?! Maybe we could do live or something? this is so fun 🙂

Anita Heras

This was surprising but pretty cool. Anita transformed a water valve and repurposed it into a pendant using gears and aluminum wire.

If you are a winner, please send us a DM to CousinDIY on Facebook or email us at socialmedia@cousin.com

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Interested in joining the #DIYchallenge? Join our Facebook Group for a chance to win $50 of jewelry making supplies!

Winners #DIYchallenge – Spring is here

Thank you so much for all the beautiful entries in this week’s #DIYchallenge.

This week’s winners are:

Stacy Diaz 

#DIYChallenge #Springishere
I love these beautiful earrings for Spring! Made with clay and glass beads ?

Linda Susan Claus Henry

Her first entry! This beautiful necklace was beautifully designed and the perfect representation of Spring! 

If you are a winner, please send us a DM to CousinDIY on Facebook or email us at socialmedia@cousin.com

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Interested in joining the #DIYchallenge? Join our Facebook Group for a chance to win $50 of jewelry making supplies!

Winners #DIYchallenge – St. Patrick’s Day

Thank you so much for all the beautiful entries in this week’s #DIYchallenge.

This week’s winners are:

Susan Ange Lee

#DIYChallenge#StPatricksDay#leprechaun#CreatewithCousinTwo of my favorite things- Beads and Rainbows!

Patricia Jacoud

#DIYChallenge #St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 is my birthday. I decided to make myself a birthday present and this set is the “PERFECT” gift for me. I absolutely love it ?.

Happy Birthday Patricia!!!!

If you are a winner, please send us a DM to CousinDIY on Facebook or email us at socialmedia@cousin.com

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Interested in joining the #DIYchallenge? Join our Facebook Group for a chance to win $50 of jewelry making supplies!

Finding a Gem: A Complete Guide to Getting the Best Wholesale Jewelry Supplies

Are you looking for wholesale jewelry supplies and not sure how to navigate your options? We explain what to look for and how to find it here.

Jewelry-making crafters and hobbyists are always looking for great deals on supplies. Fashion retailers are also on the lookout for high-quality wholesale fashion jewelry. The hitch often comes when looking for wholesale jewelry supplies from reliable online stores.

Family-owned Cousin DIY is based in Florida and also operates an extensive online craft store. For over 40 years, we have specialized in arts and crafts, and floral and home decor products. We are devoted to the craft and know you are too.

That’s why we’re happy to share our guide to finding the best wholesale jewelry supplies with you.

Costume Jewelry Delights

Costume jewelry is fun, creative, and inspiring. It is the most versatile of fashion accessories. Crafted pieces provide huge scope to incorporate something of the individuality of the wearer.

This is especially true when you are able to procure original materials with ease, no matter what your project. Often your creative output as a costume jewelry maker is limited by the quality and the price of the materials you are able to source. This is when buying wholesale has its advantages.

The first advantage is that by sourcing cheaper materials you can increase your profit margin. Another option is to pass on the saving to your customers by offering your jewelry pieces at a more competitive price.

One thing is for sure: by being a better entrepreneur, you free up time and money to produce more pieces with more variety in your range. As a retail business or even as a sole proprietorship, you need a supplier as a partner you can count on.

Going through the proper registration so that you can take advantage of wholesale offers is the first step towards spending your money wisely.

How Do I Buy Wholesale?

As you probably know, the wholesale business model is based on volume. Wholesalers rely on selling bulk quantities of goods quickly. That is why they are able to offer lower prices. 

They take advantage of what manufacturers call “the economies of scale.” This does not mean that you as an individual or small business are excluded from the opportunity to buy wholesale. Far from it.

You start by doing your research to find sellers of the goods and materials you will need, and vetting their bona fides. But first, you have to do some administrative work of your own.

Get a Business Licence and a Tax ID Number

If you’re planning to resell wholesale items, you will need to get a business license with a valid tax ID before you start. The Small Business Administration (SBA) can help you to register your business.

You need to make your business a distinct legal entity.  Your business structure and where your business is based will determine how and where you need to register. The SBA will help you by directing you towards the correct application form.

You will need to describe the nature of your business in your application form. Details such as what you are buying and your possible intention to resell the items to other customers should be included. If you are going to make jewelry with some of the products you buy wholesale and then sell your creations, then that information should also be included in your application.

It is not a complicated process to register. Some government offices allow you to do this through their website. As soon as you register your business, you will get your tax ID number, also known as a federal employee ID number.

What If I Am Purchasing Wholesale Jewelry Supplies For Myself Only?

If you’re purchasing wholesale products for yourself only, you don’t need a business license. You can buy wholesale without a license, but you will have to pay sales tax.

If you have a valid tax ID, then your wholesale purchases will be exempts from sales tax.  It is only when you resell to your customers that they will have to pay tax on those goods.

So, by having a tax ID, you save money by not having to pay sales tax, and you get the benefit of the lower price by buying wholesale. That’s a personal win-win situation!

Who Needs My Tax ID?

Legally, when you buy from a wholesale manufacturer or distributor, you need to provide them with your tax ID. This is a condition of being able to apply for the exemption from tax on your purchases.

So, wholesalers will ask for your tax ID whenever you place an order. In terms of data gathering, wholesalers have to keep your tax ID details on record so that they can prove that they have been selling to certified exempt customers only.

Being legitimate is the way to go. It makes for good business sense. 

Once You’re Registered Research the Wholesale Landscape

The way to get the best wholesale deals when sourcing materials is to research the wholesale companies that sell items you’re interested in. Do price comparisons on, say, five different items. Engage with their sales team.

Ask if they have a minimum order quantity. Ask whether they have any discounts for larger orders. Ask about current promotions and loyalty programs – and any other useful information you can think of.

Most of all, make sure that the wholesalers are reputable. That means checking their Better Business Bureau rating, and reading online reviews so that you can verify the trustworthiness of your potential wholesale supplier.

Get Inspired

Once you’ve got as much information as you need on the wholesale jewelry supplies landscape that you need, it’s time to start placing your orders. Getting jewelry-making supplies wholesale is guaranteed to bring a whole new perspective to your business.

Cousin DIY has a full-service approach, so you’re likely to find exactly what you’re looking for in our store, no matter what fashion trends you follow. It’s not only the huge variety we stock or our environmentally friendly outlook, but our value-for-money prices that will leave you inspired.

Be sure to sign up with us to unlock access to wholesale pricing on our website. We look forward to seeing you there!

How to Start a Thriving Jewelry Business: Top Considerations for Creators

From gathering wholesale jewelry supplies to getting to crucial jewelry tools, we explain how to start a jewelry business (that thrives) in this guide!

If you’re looking to break into a booming business, the jewelry business might be for you. In 2018, jewelry stores in the United States made almost forty billion dollars, with a year-over-year increase of seven billion. 

Though this market may seem saturated, there is always a place for the jewelry entrepreneur to find their niche and thrive. 

However, creating your own business means figuring everything out for yourself, which can seem daunting. But don’t fret. This guide will show you how to start a jewelry business successfully, so keep on reading! 

Discover Your Niche

When starting a jewelry business, you’ll first want to discover what your niche is. Because there are so many different jewelry businesses out there already, you’ll have to stand out with whatever product you intend to produce. 

Do you want to sell fine jewelry, or would you rather work with trend pieces? Do you want to focus on one specific type of jewelry, such as earrings or necklaces? 

Do you want to work with crystals and stones? Would you prefer beads or metals? 

Focusing on what you want your business to create is a great starting place for building your business’s brand, marketing plans, and having an overall idea of what your business is going to look like. 

Create a Business Plan

Now you can start looking into the logistics of your jewelry business. You need to think about if you will be operating your business from your home or an office, as this will be a big part of your budget. 

Think about your staffing and if you will be creating each piece and selling it alone, or if you’ll need to hire help. You should also consider if you’ll be handmaking each piece or outsourcing the projects.

Decide who your target customer is and what price range you want your jewelry to be in. Do you have a marketing plan or a space to sell your products? How much money do you need to get yourself started? 

Your business plan will continue to change and evolve with your business, so don’t worry too much about having all of the answers straight away, and don’t be afraid to make changes when necessary. 

Calculate Your Budget

Calculating your budget is an essential step to success, so you can plan ahead and avoid any financial issues. You should first create a list of your start-up costs, such as:

  • Marketing material
  • Equipment and tools
  • Licenses and permits
  • Offices or co-working spaces
  • Payroll 

When you create your budget, you’re ultimately predicting your future business costs. This will help you predict where your money is going and how much of it you will need to secure. 

Study Your Competitors

If you really want to know how to start a jewelry business online or from your home, you need to look at your competitors. 

This will help you in a few different ways. First, you can look at what you’re making and compare it to them.

How do your products stand out? Are they unique, or are they exactly what everyone else is making?

You can also learn from your competitors, discovering how they market, what their angle is, who their audience is, and how they sell their products.

Do they have their own websites, or do they use another platform to sell their goods? Do they have a brick-and-mortar store, and is that successful? 

This will also help you learn how to price your jewelry products, as this an important factor when first breaking into this business and gaining new customers.

Create Your Brand

Creating your brand and marketing is an essential step for your business’s success. Since you already know what you want to sell and your niche, you now need to decide what story you want your business to tell. 

A great way to go about this is to start with a logo. A unique and enticing logo is important in establishing your business’s aesthetic. This is also what your customers will recognize you by. 

You should establish social media accounts that are supported by your brand. This is a great marketing strategy that is essentially free.

You can create business pages on Instagram and Facebook, as well as on Pinterest and Etsy. 

You should also have your own website surrounded by your brand, including particular colors, fonts, and your brand’s logo.

As your business progresses, you might want to execute paid marketing strategies, such as Google Ads.

Don’t worry too much about this in the beginning. Focus on the free resources you have, and work on building your brand identity and building an engaging audience and customer base first. 

Make It Legal

In order to make your business legal, you will first need to get a tax ID number. You will need to register your business, collect and pay sales tax, and get a license to operate if your county or state requires it. 

This can all be done at your local chamber of commerce, so don’t worry too much if this seems a little out of your element. 

Secure Suppliers

Now that you’re ready to start creating your products to sell, you need to decide where you’ll be getting your supplies from. 

You’ll need to acquire wholesale tools and equipment, including any safety equipment required and any materials necessary for your jewelry products.

If you know other jewelry makers and designers, asking them for recommendations for trusted wholesale suppliers could be beneficial. Otherwise, research different companies and read reviews to find the most trusted suppliers. 

Start Selling 

Upon completing all the previous steps, you are now ready to start selling! There are many different ways you can go about this.

You can begin by selling your products on eCommerce platforms like Etsy, Amazon, or eBay. It’s simple to set up a shop at any one of these, and this could be a great testing ground to see how your products will sell. 

You should also consider creating an online store on your website through Shopify. This platform is very professional and helps you learn about your customer analytics, and it includes built-in marketing tools. 

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth marketing. Sell to your friends and family, and participate in local flea markets or craft fairs. This is a great way to get your jewelry out there and to network with other shop owners. 

How to Start a Jewelry Business 

Now that you know how to start a jewelry business, you can begin your jewelry-making journey. There are so many benefits to owning your own business, as you get to decide precisely what you want your business to be and how you want it to operate. 

Of course, this comes with many things to figure out, so take it one step at a time. 

Let us help you with your jewelry business! Customers who sign up here can unlock access to wholesale pricing, so you never have to worry about your jewelry supplier again.  

Winners #DIYchallenge – National Embroidery Month

Thank you so much for all the beautiful entries in this week’s #DIYchallenge. Embroidery can be a challenging skill but we are so happy to see that a lot of you tried for the first time!

This week’s winners are:

Jill Lewis

#DIYChallenge#nationalembroiderymonth bead embroidery on hand dyed silk. This was a fun project out of my comfort zone. The challenge definitely inspired me.

Chicogal Maulik

#DIY Challenge, #National Embroidery Month This is my entry for the month. I beaded a butterfly using mostly seed beads, and a couple of other sizes of beads. I took a canvas and put a Gelli print design on it. I used wire for the antennas and added some DIY crystals to add sparkle. I love doing bead embroidery as you can make it as real to life as you want or make it abstract. It’s fun to use whatever materials you have on hand to help the design. (The black/white rope is really a shoelace!) My sister has a wonderful flower garden that attracts butterflies all the time.

If you are a winner, please send us a DM to CousinDIY on Facebook or email us at socialmedia@cousin.com

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Interested in joining the #DIYchallenge? Join our Facebook Group for a chance to win $50 of jewelry making supplies!