Making jewelry is a challenging hobby and it can be very rewarding, but it can also sap your creativity if you're making a lot of jewelry pieces and then spending lots of energy putting together the supplies for each piece repeatedly. One unique way to alleviate that jewelry making burn out while still using your jewelry design talents is to begin to repair jewelry on the side! A lot of handcrafted jewelry makers work throughout the day putting together custom jewelry pieces and hunting for jewelry supplies for that new necklace or pair of earrings.
Repairing handmade jewelry uses your jewelry design skills and will often give you some fun challenges. Instead of making a necklace from scratch, you generally need to take someone else's jewelry pattern and find beads to replace missing or broken jewelry pieces that either match the rest of the jewelry piece or at least compliment it. Fixing jewelry requires a slightly different approach to buying jewelry supplies because you'll want to have a wide variety of clasps, seed beads and stringing materials available. You'll also need think about using a professional jewelry supply inventory software package to track what jewelry pieces you have in stock, what you'll need to order soon and where you can get them for the lowest price. Here are some general tips to remember when you start fixing jewelry for customers:
Remember to get a bit creative, especially if you need to fill in missing beads, but check with the customer first. Some people want their jewelry to be fixed to the exact condition it had before, some do not mind minor bead or clasp modifications.
Keep an eye out for structural aging in old jewelry pieces. Even if a connector isn't broken, you may want to recommend replacing it before it does fall apart.
Remember to price your services in line with the going rates. Often times you'll be repairing a jewelry piece that holds a sentimental meaning or is particularly liked by your client. You are providing a service of not just fixing a piece of jewelry, but often you're helping restore a memory or feeling!
Finally, remember to have fun with it! Both fixing handcrafted jewelry and creating your own jewelry are enjoyable ways to make some extra money, but it's up to you to find the proper balance to keep you smiling and profitable at the same time. You can usually charge just as much to fix a jewelry piece as you would to build it. But since are often working with existing jewelry materials repairing a piece of jewelry may be much more profitable.
Repairing handmade jewelry uses your jewelry design skills and will often give you some fun challenges. Instead of making a necklace from scratch, you generally need to take someone else's jewelry pattern and find beads to replace missing or broken jewelry pieces that either match the rest of the jewelry piece or at least compliment it. Fixing jewelry requires a slightly different approach to buying jewelry supplies because you'll want to have a wide variety of clasps, seed beads and stringing materials available. You'll also need think about using a professional jewelry supply inventory software package to track what jewelry pieces you have in stock, what you'll need to order soon and where you can get them for the lowest price. Here are some general tips to remember when you start fixing jewelry for customers:
Remember to get a bit creative, especially if you need to fill in missing beads, but check with the customer first. Some people want their jewelry to be fixed to the exact condition it had before, some do not mind minor bead or clasp modifications.
Keep an eye out for structural aging in old jewelry pieces. Even if a connector isn't broken, you may want to recommend replacing it before it does fall apart.
Remember to price your services in line with the going rates. Often times you'll be repairing a jewelry piece that holds a sentimental meaning or is particularly liked by your client. You are providing a service of not just fixing a piece of jewelry, but often you're helping restore a memory or feeling!
Finally, remember to have fun with it! Both fixing handcrafted jewelry and creating your own jewelry are enjoyable ways to make some extra money, but it's up to you to find the proper balance to keep you smiling and profitable at the same time. You can usually charge just as much to fix a jewelry piece as you would to build it. But since are often working with existing jewelry materials repairing a piece of jewelry may be much more profitable.
About the Author:
Making custom made jewelry is a great way to bring in some extra cash on the side. Many retired men and women have started second careers with their own jewelry and some have experienced great financial success!
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