Comments on: Am I Crazy?

By: joyce becker

joyce becker — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 14:41:54 +0000

Seems like I’m in great company. Having moved twice this year, leaving my best sales locale behind, am questioning …”now what”? I don’t wear much jewelry, only earrings. So, I started making 7″ wired sun catchers, and giving them away for gifts. That is helping to exercise creativity (I’m making up the design) and is helping use up all the boxes of beads gifted to me (when someone decides they no longer want to make jewelry). Not sure what the next step is, but I am hopeful.

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 14:46:43 +0000

Hello. My name is Janet & I’m a beadaholic.
WOW, I love this group!! I am with you all the way. I have invested so much money & have boxes & bins & shelves full of beads, findings, the works. At least I am now making lots of pieces. I’ve opened my Etsy shop earlier this year but like many of you, not many sales. I had no idea how saturated the handmade jewelry market is on Etsy. I am at the point of having open houses & asking friends & family to host jewelry parties.
I am very much like PhyllisC in that I have never been a crafty person. Aside from a bit of embroidery, I thought I had no artistic talent. Thanks to my daughter, I was introduced to this wonderful, sparkling world of jewels & gems. My girls are grown & gone, I’m retired from nursing & spend hours every day learning, practicing, creating. I call myself obsessed. So what?! There are worse things I could be doing! So, rock on baby!

By: Julie White

Julie White — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 22:12:55 +0000

@ Christa, Are there any little shops or boutiques that you know of, or that you could visit with your jewelry to see if they would carry the pieces on consignment?
Sometimes they will buy outright too.

By: Esther

Esther — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 19:21:16 +0000

OK, You’ll!!! I am a bead-ahollic and I also have tons… but I make more beads, pendants earrings and bracelets out of polymer clay. I also have a web site, an Etsy store (by the same name) and have not sold a thing. I live in North Vancouver, and I can’t seen to get anywhere with it. I keep making it because I go to my very own happy world. I put some cool music (from YouTube) and there I go. It’s amazing I have dinner, clean clothes and clean teeth! When I am not at my workstation, I am knitting!!! I will continue, because that’s what I do, and I know my stuff/jewelry looks a lot better. And yes, I have tons of made jewelry packed away. Sometimes, I don’t even remember what I have made… I do take tons of pictures and I have been uploading them to flicker Just keep making beautiful stuff!!!

By: Ellen Hafner

Ellen Hafner — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 07:27:08 +0000

I’m just starting out making jewelry. Like several of you, when I start trying to sell, it’ll mainly be to cover the cost of the materials so I can keep on making more. I’m already having anxiety over it though – what if I’m unable to sell anything? If I can’t sell anything, does that make me a failure? I know it doesn’t, but like I said, I’m still having anxiety. My wish for all of you is that you’re able to sell your jewelry, but it’s kind of a relief to hear that others are not selling as well as they would like.

I just recently found this website and I think it’s great – I love the free tutorials and reading about others’ experiences.

By: Julie White

Julie White — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:27:55 +0000

Thanks Rena, for a GREAT site and community. I’m thinking of incorporating metals and jewelry elements into paintings now. Also, speaking of crazy, I’m getting a kick out of coming up with a few outlandish jewelry designs just to challenge peoples’ perception. Go beyond the safe and ordinary, I say!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:43:20 +0000

In reply to Julie White.

So well said, Julie – “It’s like painting with metals, wire, and beads!” I totally agree!

By: Julie White

Julie White — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:11:30 +0000

I know what you mean about the bead hoarding! I have a big enough stash to be making stuff for my lifetime but I always want MORE. We are like packrats and magpies…..attracted to pretty baubles. I made jewelry years ago, then was a painter for years. I have returned to jewelry making because it satisfies my ” tinkering” instinct and designs emerge so serendipitously as one tinkers with the materials. To me, it’s like painting with metals, wire, and beads!

By: Nenette

Nenette — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:24:09 +0000

I have stash and stash of beads, pearls, gemstone, findings and the list goes on but this does not stop me from buying materials online and at the Gem/Bead shows. My husband thinks I’m crazy, even a hoarder, it’s taking a lot of space in our office/craft room/guest room. For now, this is a hobby but I do sell some pieces to friends who love my creations. I have a fulltime job in IT and a mother of three, 14, 17 and 46 year old (hubby):) Designing and creating unique jewelry pieces help me unwind , wish I can do this fulltime. We’re not crazy, just crafty:) Keep it up!

By: Joybelle

Joybelle — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:59:38 +0000

WOW…I feel as I am in a family. I appreciate everyone’s comments and is so good to know I am not alone. So just to mention, I have now gone bonkers with bracelets. OMG, what a fever but I’m loving it (smile). Keep up the good fight all and last but not least, thank you Rena for givinging us this platform.

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 22:19:03 +0000

Keep right on beading and making jewelry. Eventually someone will fall in love with your art and purchase. That is the best sense of satisfaction. Until then, keep on working your stock, giving gifts, hone your skills and have fun!

By: Liz Juneau

Liz Juneau — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:25:45 +0000

After moving, starting a new job and buying a house, I did not make jewelry for a period of time…probably because all my supplies were still packed up. After I unpacked and set up my studio, I started making jewelry just for myself to get me back in the flow. I am looking for new avenues to sell in my new location and have done just that – I had a trunk show and sold to a boutique recently – but I still have lots of inventory. Not that I let that stop me. I work full time and I have another small business in addition to my jewelry business. I hope to always have the passion to make jewelry and am fortunate to be able to do it when I want to – not because I have to.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 20:16:26 +0000

I love making jewelry! I rarely sell any, and have even had a website for over 6 months, without a single sale. I was a little discouraged, but decided to keep doing it for me, and to give as gifts. If I sell something once in awhile, it is a bonus…

By: Autumn

Autumn — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 01:32:29 +0000

Have you received the decoder ring? Cause a member of the club just by posting the question. ^.^ I haven’t made a single sale in almost a year, since I moved to a new state. But I still make jewelry, I still wear it, and I’m still happy doing both. Would I like to see every item right after it’s done? Sure. But I’m not in it for the money. I enjoy making jewelry, plain and simple.

By: Patricia Eisele

Patricia Eisele — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 17:22:48 +0000

I’m in this same club. I enjoy making jewelry, but rarely sell anything. I ususally love what I’ve made and keep it for myself or give it as a gift. My husband thinks I should open a shop with all the supplies I’ve accumulated. He’s so funny!

By: Rose Barden

Rose Barden — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:33:35 +0000

I started out, just makingit for fun, and then when I learned, someone was actually going to pay me for it, I went crazy, yeah crazy making jewelry like mad crazy, lol. So, go with your flow girl it’s all good! We will just be Crazy Jewelry Ladies together! 🙂

By: Alla

Alla — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:24:50 +0000

Glad to be a part of CRAZY gang 🙂 ! I don’t have a shop, I don’t have a website and I rarely sell my jewelry. I just make it for the LOVE OF MAKING IT! I give out my pieces to family, friends, and friends of friends.
Sometimes people give me that “sorry” look when they learn I don’t sell my jewelry. But I am not sorry at all! It’s the process, the joy of creating something , the satisfaction of seeing the finished product, aways the rash to start new project…or two…or three; that what makes it all so fun! So I say ” GO CRAZIES”!

By: irina dalah

irina dalah — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 21:19:59 +0000

either you’re not crazy at all, or you’re in exactly the right place for it 🙂
you’re definitely not crazy.
since I really needed a big boost in my income and I got to teach other crafts than beadweaving, I’ve been creating the most insane designs! and wearing them too. now that I don’t have to meet some deadline for a fair, I can take as much as I want over each piece, and do it as artsy and as outlandish as I want. I even made a few wall-art pieces (yes, with beadweaving techniques!). and you know what?! having those outlandish artsy pieces on my fair booth makes customers want to buy the simpler, less expensive ones… probably everyone wants a piece of the artist 😉
so yes, keep doing what makes you happy and keep being crazy with the rest of us!!

By: Lynn L.

Lynn L. — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:24:40 +0000

I’m glad to know that I am not alone. I enjoy making jewelry more than making money, my daughter and husband complain that I am not asking enough for my jewelry but I am more interested in selling it just to cover the cost of the beads so that I can keep making more. I tell myself “I’m not buying any more beads” but when I go out I usually come home with more beads and I can’t wait to get home so I can look at them again. It’s fun being crazy.

By: Christa

Christa — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:37:42 +0000

Thank you Rose for the suggestion.

By: Rose Barden

Rose Barden — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:05:27 +0000

@ Christa, since your apartment people won’t allow it, maybe you can have a series of small parties of 3 to 5 friends, and then in your presentation, let them know that because of rules, and the apartment being small; is the only way to have a viewing.

So have them (the 3-5 friends) tell others that your having a little get together at your place for the viewing of your jewelry.:-)

Rose Barden
Riverview, Florida

By: Christa

Christa — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:32:42 +0000

Thank you Rena for the tip. Unfortunately I have an apartment in a private home and first of all there is no parking space and the owner would not allow this. Plus I have a very tiny one-bedroom apartment, my bedroom serves as studio, storage, office – all my jewelry is stored in boxes on top of each other and there is no space in the living room to display all.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:16:27 +0000

In reply to Christa. Christa - just a quick thought, could you do a jewelry show at your apartment building? Is there a recreation room, lobby, or outdoor patio where you could get permission to set up a table for an afternoon? Right before Mother's Day would be a great time for that!

By: Christa

Christa — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:05:10 +0000

Hi Joybelle, join the club. I was recently without my computer for over two months (I do a lot of work on my computer). During that time I made 94 pieces of jewellery. I have a website but I have very few sales and now I have added 3 more pages of jewellery to my website. So I am crazy too, what I am going to do with all this jewellery if I can’t sell it?
I can’t do shows and fairs anymore because I am in my eighties and have 20 steps up to my apartment and can’t carry all that stuff up and down anymore.

By: Pauline

Pauline — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 14:32:35 +0000

Hi Joybelle,

Your posting came at a perfect time for me. I was just told I am “obsessed” with jewelry making. Not “passionate,” mind you, but “obsessed.” Obsessed, crazy, call it what you will. I’m happy to be a part of this group!

By: Joybelle

Joybelle — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:02:06 +0000

Hello all,
Thank you so much for your comments and encouragements, glad to know I am not on this journey alone. Rena, you are awesome, thank you for this platform, especially for folks like me who just do not have the time to FB. I get such inspiration from your site because there is such a plethora of information and the huge connection you have with others!

By: Beverly Holman

Beverly Holman — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 12:32:29 +0000

Beaders are a special class of wonderful and crazy people who I love being a part of. Yes, I am a bead hoarder but love every minute of it. I have tubs of finish pieces along with many unfinished pieces. At the moment I am on a low but with this newsletter and comments keep me inspired. To show you are not alone, I have found beader groups on Facebook with a lot of inspiration.

By: Dana

Dana — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 09:46:20 +0000

I’m cra,cra too! I think of each of my pieces as my babies. I have a nice collection and one day will market them to make room for new babies.
Nothing says crazy like a woman or a man on a mission with a torch and some good old fashioned silver to get the blood pumping! From the land down under.

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 09:39:38 +0000

Ditto to the above. Bead hoarder, jewelry addict and I’m not interested in getting rehabbed! Glad I’m not alone!

By: PhyllisC

PhyllisC — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 19:16:19 +0000

Thanks Rena! You should also know YOU are a very important part of my joy and learning too! Your ability to share and INCLUDE all of us in YOUR life lets me grow and share and know wonderful people like you and everything you do for US!!!
hugs and kisses from Florida!!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 19:11:26 +0000

LOL Joybelle! Phyllis is right, you’re not the only jewelry-making crazy one here. 🙂 I have that joy and peace too – it makes everything else fade away and is a very lovely place to be. Also I like your idea for a bead-hoarding reality show – I’d be interested to see the clever ways they stored those huge bead hoards! 🙂

And Phyllis – I’m so glad you got in touch with your creativity after all those years of thinking you were born without it. And thrilled to hear that your jewelry is selling like crazy! Keep doing what you’re doing. 🙂

By: PhyllisC

PhyllisC — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 15:26:29 +0000

Well Joybelle……… IF Indeed you are c-r-a-z-y, then You my dear, are in WONDERFUL company – as Most of us are all crazy about jewelry making too 🙂
I never in my life thought I was the least bit creative, always admired others’ talents, but didn’t think I had a “crafty” bone in my body, and one day “poof” it appeared!!! I’ve been making jewelry for a little while, and sell it like crazy to OTHER PEOPLE!! OMG, THAT is even MORE amazing!!
What a wonderful, relaxing, and necessary part of my life jewelry has become!