How to Become a Professional Jewelry Artisan
Becoming a professional jewelry artisan can be a fun road to take if you enjoy crafts and the art of jewelry making. There are few things you may need to know, such as running a business and the concepts of jewelry making. With the right knowledge and plenty of motivation, the dream of becoming a professional jewelry artisan can come true.
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Instructions
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Attend some jewelry-making classes at a nearby school or local college. Learn the basics of jewelry making, including general information about types of stones, crystals, wire and metals. You may also want to take some business courses so that you can learn the concept of running a business if you would like to open a jewelry store or start a home business.
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Register at a nearby college to begin taking some art courses. It will help to have a background in the arts along with some type of degree to make you more credible as a professional artisan. Look into programs that help you receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts or some other type of art degree.
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Decide what type of jewelry you would like to create or if you would like to teach jewelry-making classes. Focus on a niche, such as wire jewelry, beaded jewelry or semi-precious stones. Learn more about the niche that you have decided to go into by attending classes, doing research and viewing handmade jewelry of other artisans.
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Network with other professional artisans to create contacts. Attend craft fairs, jewelry shows and bead shows. Speak with jewelry artisans to see how they started their businesses or if they took any special classes to obtain certificates or degrees. Let them know you are interested in becoming a professional jewelry artisan. Try to obtain business cards if they would allow you to contact them for future references.
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Plan your business. Decide if you will be selling jewelry online, conducting home parties, selling at craft fairs, opening up your own jewelry store or teaching jewelry classes. You can do a combination of any of those, as well. Find out what kind of financial plans you will need to make, a budget to follow and how to market your business. Write your plan out first, and then analyze the steps that you will need to follow to create your name in the professional jewelry business.
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Join a jeweler's guild so that you have access to current trade shows, jewelry products and special deals. Depending on what kind of jewelry that you decide to sell, there are a variety of jeweler's guilds to join. If you are interested in selling watches or other jewelry, join the International Watch and Jewelry Guild (see resources). Prices to join start out at $50 a year. Another jeweler's guild to join is the Leading Jeweler's Guild (see resources). They formed in 1958 and have access to more than 170 stores.
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Sell your jewelry products at online auction websites, craft galleries or at craft fairs. Try out your beginning selling skills at Ebay by listing some of your jewelry products. Create an online jewelry store, and sell them at fixed prices or by auction. If you decide to create your own jewelry, sell your items at Etsy (see resources). Etsy is a website that sells all handmade products and gifts. Etsy is an easy website for beginners to get their "feet wet" in the craft-selling business. Stay up to date with local craft shows and area festivals by checking with your local city board or chamber of commerce. Buy booth space to set up your own booth to sell jewelry products. Pass out business cards at your booth to create contacts and returning customers.
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Tips & Warnings
Becoming a professional jewelry artisan will take some time and patience. It is something that will definitely take time and major planning. With plenty of motivation, knowledge, and business skills, you can turn your hobby into a professional business if you set your mind to it.
Resources
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