101 Great Resources for Beaders and Jewelry Makers
Whether you are new to the Jewelry industry, or already have your own business, hopefully you will find something in this resource list that is of value to you. We have concentrated on trying to provide you with the top 101 websites that give the best advice and product information to help you start your jewelry business or increase profits for an existing one.
If you would like to download your own copy of this list you can download a pdf version here that you can save to your local machine.
Please feel free to share this report (Complete and unaltered) with other jewelry enthusiasts!
If you have a favorite site that you think should be on this list please feel free to add it using the comments box at the bottom of the page.
Tutorials and Freebies:
Jewelry Pricing Calculator Software When starting a business or to make sure that you are pricing your work correctly in your existing business here is a great Free software package that will help you work out the hourly rate you should be charging EXACTLY.
Beading for Beginners A Complete Beading for Beginners Book that shows you the Fast, Easy and Convenient Way to Begin Beading – The Hobby That Gives a Sense of Glamour and Fun to Everything and that is One of Today’s Hottest Trends!
Making-jewelry Learn how to start your own home based Jewelry business; this book covers everything from start up, marketing, legalities to giving some great additional resources that include tons of design ideas.
Tips For Your Own Home Jewelry Business Success is a free eBook available for download full of great ideas and helpful tips to steer you in the right direction, and as a free download it is surprisingly packed with information available for a cost elsewhere.
Eni Oken’s Jewelry site offers step by step instructions on making the most exquisite jewelry. The tutorials range from beginner to very advanced, definitely worth having a look if you are looking for detailed instructions.
Business Tools and Software:
B W Simon helping Jewelers become more Profitable by providing an e-mail newsletter, books, tapes etc.
Aweber an email marketing campaign is essential not only to increase sales, but to let everyone know about your business and increase awareness. This site offers these services that will ultimately increase profits.
Selling Your Jewelry Online:
ebay Who doesn’t know ebay? ebay is one of the most popular online places to sell your products or to source suppliers.
Wordtracker This is an online tool that helps you when it comes to your website. Learning how to use it is fairly simple and will help you to find how to get ranked higher in the search engines for your specific product.
go daddy web hosting company is one of the most reliable and cheap places to have your web site hosted. They have various price packages, from a single website to hundreds of websites.
Elance For those of you who are not to clued up about webhosting, web design etc, Elance is a great place to find freelancers that can take your ideas and put them into practice. Whatever your web site needs you will find a professional on this site that will be able to assist you.
Guru is the same as idea as Elance above, whatever your online needs you can find a professional from either of these sites.
Online Communities / Social Networking:
Beaders showcase A great place for all beaders to showcase their work. Offers free membership, free announcement, personal page and an artist community.
Stitching cow Blog, tutorials and other helpful tips and advice.
Social Networking: Sell Your Jewelry Online the new way A detailed tutorial that focuses on selling your jewelry from an online perspective. Very informative, with lots of new and original marketing technique ideas.
Etsy Buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art and supplies on Etsy, the world’s most vibrant handmade marketplace. Share stories through millions of items from around the world.
Jewelry Suppliers:
JewelryDealz Your Source to Over 200+ Jewelry Wholesalers, Drop shippers and Manufacturers.
Asia-wholesale-jewelry A fantastic Wholesale site where you can make huge profits from buying jewelry from third world countries and forgetting about paying retail ever again.
Katiehacker Katie has written over 15 books on the jewelry industry so you can feel confident that the advice that she has to share here is worth looking over.
Crystals and Jewelry This is a jewelry artist owned business, so you can be assured that when you order or look for information you will receive a knowledgeable answer and will also have the benefit of years of practical know how.
Muna’s Cameos Absolutely huge variety of cameo designs. If you get onto the mailing list, Muna will custom order cameos at a discount for you.
Ornamentea A very addictive site that supplies a whole range of unique bits and bobs for making unique jewelry.
GRS Benchmate A great tool that serves as a work-holding system for jewelry. Artists, you will wonder how you ever coped without this.
Cool Tools Great source for metal clay tools, supplies, and information.
Printing and Packaging:
Printingandpackaging This and the following sites are great sources to find all your printing and packaging needs.
Dixiebox Although this company may not be able to provide you in your state or city, the information given to help you determine sizes etc is worth a look.
Bigplusprinting Once again having a look at this site will give you a good idea of what you need to be focusing on regards your printing and packaging needs.
Shipping:
Postcalc United States postal Service Postage Price calculator
Fedex International Postage Price Calculator
Auspost Australia Postage Assessment Calculator
Jewelry Displays:
Jewelrydisplay Jewelry Display Inc. has been in business since 1982 and is a great place for all your jewelry displays, jewelry boxes, jeweler’s tools and jeweler’s supplies.
Fetpak Online ordering and free delivery of jewelry displays, gift bags, jewelry boxes, jewelry pouches, organza pouches, and packaging supplies.
Subastralinc metal jewelry displays are perfectly scaled for counter-top use and made for organizing various types of jewelry and accessories.
Magazines:
Astarte’s Mega-Zine offers some inspirational ideas for creating jewelry and other art related topics, well worth a look over.
Stepbystepbeads A magazine that offers beaders everything they are looking for. Not only is this the main site for the magazine, it has hundreds of free designs and tutorials.
Artjewelrymag Subscribe to this site and get free video tutorials. Also available free are ring charts, metal piercing charts and drill bit conversion charts.
Books:
How to Value Your Jewelry From Home or Work This is a good book that teaches you a lot about the appraisal side of the jewelry industry.
Making-Metal-Jewelry-Techniques A great read if you want to learn metal jewelry making and get some great design ideas.
Creative-Metal-Clay-Jewelry This book combines metal and clay techniques, giving you a huge collection of different ideas and resources.
Selling Your Jewelry at Shows and Parties:
Ultimate Guide to Your Profitable Jewelry Booth There are hundreds of things you can do to make a tremendous difference in your success and income at shows, fairs, and festivals. This book is a step-by-step information resource to help you succeed in selling your handcrafted jewelry at shows.
Secrets of a Handcrafted Jewelry Shopping Service Discover a way to sell your jewelry to customers who are VERY willing to buy from you – again and again.
Marketing Jewelry Learn the Secrets of the World’s Most Successful Jewelry Artists from the ONLY Expert on the Psychology of Selling Handcrafted Jewelry!
Guilds and Online Jewelry Societies:
The International Jewelry Designers’ Guild is an internet community for artists creating unique jewelry made from materials as diverse as can be imagined.
International Society of Glass Beadmakers A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the art of making hand-crafted glass beads.
The Metal Arts Guild website Members create hollowware, jewelry, sculpture, flatware etc.
Northwest Bead Society… Non-profit organization open to anyone, dedicated to the study of beads, beading techniques.
Portand Bead Society… Another great guild to learn and share knowledge with other enthusiasts.
Metal Jewelry Reference Resources:
Wire-sculpture Discover the Joy of Jewelry Making using
Wire-Sculpture’s Personalized Jewelry Videos.
Papyrusbooks Although this is mainly a bookstore, they have a massive collection of books about jewelry making and books like Ancient Egyptian Jewelry, that are sure to give you some inspiration.
Jewelrymaking-beads-library Jewelry Making, Beads, jewelry supplies, jewelry inspirations & aspirations -free-house library of all things related to jewelry making.
Beads and Beading Reference Resources:
Wigjig This has to be one of the most comprehensive free jewelry making tutorial sites on the web. All tutorials are illustrated with a lot of clear photographs. They also offer a huge range of supplies that can be shipped to any country.
Artbeads Check out our Learning Center for FREE design ideas and more.
Handbegh These hand-felted wool gems are a whimsical touch of fiber for your favorite jewelry and craft projects.
TheBeadFactory Focuses on contemporary jewelry designs & showing you how to get these looks.
Gemstones, Gemology, and Mineral Resources:
ABeadStore ABeadStore.com by Beaded Impression sells unique and affordable beads, jewelry findings & beading supplies in our on-line store. We stock a huge selection of semi-precious gemstone, glass, metal & pearl beads to fit every budget.
Fusionbeads our online destination for an inspiring selection, exceptional quality, guaranteed service and volume discount pricing. New jewelry designs with step-by-step instructions every week on our inspiration page! FREE SHIPPING! No minimum order!
Artful Beads specializes in a variety of classes, exceptional assortment of beads and supplies and Central NJ’s premier in-store PMC studio. Our online store offers unusual Czech pressed glass beads and snap clasps.
Piercing and Body Jewelry Resources:
Tribalectic offers all the knowledge that you need to be skilled at body piercing. The information and videos will guide you through the art of body piercing from different styles to the healing process.
Naturalexpressions Your only place to go for books and videos on how to learn the art of body piercing; the latest styles and find all the tools to make exquisite jewelry.
Accents Beads has over 5,000 sq ft of BEADS, BEADS, BEADS and all the findings, supplies, tools and everything that goes with them!
Other Jewelry Making Resources:
Beadstore Apart from the huge variety of supplies this site has to offer, it is most definitely worth taking a look for the free tutorials.
Affordable Beading… Specializing in high quality beads for everyone! No Minimum Order!
AuctionBeads.com – Jewelry supply, glass bead supply, and more. AuctionBeads is an easy to use, fun venue to find jewelry, glassbeads, and jewelry supplies at the prices you want to pay….
Bali Bead Shop – Quality Bali Sterling Silver Beads & Findings… Silver beads, caps, spacers, barrels, headpins, clasps & toggles. All handcrafted in Bali and shipped directly from Indonesia. Check out our site for specials and new items….
BJ’s Craft Supplies – Craft supplies ranging from the usual to the not so u… Large variety of craft supplies for all your craft supply needs. Fast, quality service and shipping. Most orders shipped within 24 hrs. Small and large orders welcome….
Wire Jewelry Tips and Techniques:
Beaducation is a dynamic and extensive site offering you a wide selection of tools, supplies, project kits, PDF tutorials and ONLINE CLASSES video classes taught by some of the Nation’s best instructors.
Chain Maille Tips and Techniques:
Lapidaryjournal As well as some unbelievably complicated jewelry design tutorials, this site is a wealth of up to date information for the jeweler.
DeesPlace Find some great advice and products for making your jewelry, packed with design ideas.
Metal Jewelry Tips and Techniques:
Uniquejewelryguide you’re new to jewelry making, some of the terms can be confusing. Bananabell is actually pretty self-explanatory, but what is a Monroe? This is a great site for information and resources.
Sedona Stones and Silver, LLC copper findings, pewter, and many more items. Site gets updated daily with new items.
Metal Clay Tips and Techniques:
Jewelrymaking You’ll find information about different jewelry making techniques ranging from opening/closing jump rings to executing advanced off loom bead stitches.
MonsterSlayer All your metal jewelry needs in one place.
Artful Beads Studio and Workshop offers unusual Czech pressed glass beads and snap clasps.
Jewelry Classes:
Idyllwild Arts Summer Program workshops in Etching, Metal Clay; Overlay (Hopi), Inlay/lapidary, Glass beadmaking. All levels of experience.
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts Design, Fabrication, Wax, Casting, Setting, Gemology, more. Diploma programs and Masters Symposium.
Colorado School of Jewelry and Metal Arts Basic stone setting, Anticlastic raising, Cloissone Enameling, Damascus Knife Making and more.
PaperSilverStone LLC All levels of art clay silver taught. Flat, syringe, cork clay, stone setting, bezels, molding, firing techniques.
The Down The Street Bead Shows classes in basic beading, seed beading, beading with chain, PMC and art clay, wire wrapping, cold fusion, soldering, chain mail, fused glass, kumihimo braiding, and more.
Glen Parr School of Metal Art Learn basic to advanced stone setting, fabrication, wax carving, introduction to casting, recycling metal.
Conner Jeweler’s School One of America’s oldest jewelry schools.
Fretz Miniature Stakes Learn the art of Miniature Silversmithing and Hammers with Bill Fretz, designer of Fretz Miniature Stakes.
Columbia Association Art Center offers a variety of introduction, intermediate and advanced jewelry workshops including precious metal clay, various wire-wrapping techniques, lampworked glass beads, bead-stringing, pendants, and polymer clay.
World of Rocks Classes include highlighting chain maille, metal work, wire wrapping and other jewelry classes.
Peter’s Valley Craft Center Offering fine metals workshops by nationally recognized instructors.
Santa Fe Jewelers Supply Comprehensive Jeweler’s Journeyman Program: training in basic and advanced techniques in Stone Setting, Wax Carving, Casting, Soldering, and Repair.
American Jewelers Institute AJI has been training jewelers since 1968..
Bead Fest Philadelphia 2009 250+ classes to choose from by experts half-days and full-days. Learn to make your own lampwork and metal clay beads, create beautiful beaded jewelry and wirework.
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Arrowmont offers beginning to advanced workshops that cover a variety of jewelry making techniques.
Northwest Gemological Institute, LLC Learn to identify gemstones, grade diamonds, detect substitutes and treatments with our intensive, 16-hour hands-on courses.
Resources for Improving Your Jewelry Business One Step at a Time:
Clixgalore Once you have your website up and running, you can make money not only from your jewelry, but also as an affiliate marketer. Clixgalore has thousands of merchants that you can promote on your site using text or graphic advertisements and earn extra income.
Earthenwoodstudio Looking to expand into a different market, take a look at these unusual beads and other jewelry supplies.
Vintaj Natural Brass Co Stocks 100% natural brass findings, filigree, beads, charms and chains.
Advice from Other Jewelry Business Owners:
How to Start a Home Jewelry Business If you love making jewelry, you may want to start a home jewelry business to make extra money or may already be doing so. Peggy shares her experiences here on what worked best for her.
Beadingbuds Included with some great advice is some great videos including one on making a Baby Name Bead Bracelet
Artbeadscene Some stunning jewelry ideas and lots of other advice from Cindy.
Resources for Getting Your Jewelry Business Moving Forward:
Home-Jewelry-Business-Success-Tips Wanting to learn how to photograph your jewelry, display tips, join a jewelry business blog or read the latest news articles to do with the industry, this site is the one to visit. Great looking site packed with useful information.
Beadandbuttonshow Jam packed full of great stuff. A huge wealth of information that is useful to your jewelry business.
Beadphoria This has some of the best tutorials on the web, also has classes to join if you want to get one on one lessons.
Computer Software:
Jewelry Software is an essential piece of software for all serious business minded people. This saves a massive amount of time and puts your jewelry business on auto pilot. A few of the features included are, automated inventory, instant pricing, instant tax calculations all designed to save you time and therefore money.
Wholesaling Your Jewelry:
Alibaba.com A trade site that lets you find suppliers, manufacturers and wholesale companies from all around the world. It is a free service, but always do some homework when sourcing from other countries.
Alibaba.com Resources The forum is very active and looks like a good place to find people who can help you to source reliable international manufacturers and partners.
PugetSoundBeadFestival One of the largest bead festivals, a great place to showcase your work and find new contacts.
Throughout this list we have made many suggestions of possible contacts you can use for various areas of your business. Contacts are one of your most important business assets. Many of the websites have long standing proven track records in business, and some are rather new.
We don’t accept any liability for the performance of the recommended sites, and we urge you to determine for yourselves your comfort level for business transactions. That being said, with a little investigation on your part, you will quickly determine who would be a good “fit” for your business model and interests.
Good luck with your jewelry business!
One last tip: Always check out the privacy policies of companies online before you offer them your email address and name. Be sure that they have committed to keep your information solely for their purposes. Not everyone plays fair – online or off, so protect yourself.
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