business advice - Craft Focus Magazine

eautiful beading
VINTAGE
As with most other lifestyle areas the credit crunch has generated a
huge trend for all things vintage and in jewellery making that means
upcycling! Michelle Powell said, “Vintage pieces and old jewellery are
being snapped up at car boot sales and charity stores to be pulled apart
to recreate something modern but with a real feel of nostalgia. Pearls,
antiques fi ndings and diamante brooches all work well for this look”.
“Venetian style seed bead and wire fl owers are also gaining popularity,
again for their vintage feel. Nude shades and necklaces featuring multiple
blooms are very chic and easy to make with a little practice, plenty of
wire and seed beads!” added Michelle.
COPPER
Copper is also big news, partly as the price of precious metals is
currently so high that many jewellers have turned to copper as a slightly
more affordable alternative.
WATCHES
Add a watch face charm to your
jewellery to create a practical
and in vogue accessory
Stitch or wire seed beads in nude
shades for an on-trend look.
Pocket watches are also having a revival, this time as components of long
bohemian style necklaces or as a quirky element on a charm bracelet,
along with a selection of kitsch or cutesy owls and birds!
Photo: Beads and Beyond Magazine
Photo: Beads and Beyond Magazine
Photo: Beads and Beyond Magazine
Appeal to card crafters
by using pretty patterned
papers to create jewellery
STOCKING BEADING SUPPLIES
Michelle has some tips on selling beads. “If you’re considering introducing
a beading section to your store, make sure you have an eye-catching
display of beads and a selection of the essential fi ndings and tools along
with plenty of design inspiration!” She explained that beginners will tend
to be attracted to sparkly colourful beads and those that offer great
value, so they can make several pieces of jewellery for just a few pounds.
Look out for glass beads and strings of crystals that really will draw
attention, Temporary strung beads are so appealing as they already look
like jewellery and so it’s easy for a beginner to visualise the fi nished item,
and no crafter can resist a beautiful sparkly array of different colours to
choose from!
Creative Beadcraft agreed that “A selection of fashion items and
eye-catching pendants is a great way of re-vitalising your staple range,” A
few simple pieces of jewellery in a prominent place are a great way of
showing customers how they can put a look together. “Big bold pieces
are currently very popular, for example using semi-precious stones.
Alternatively, go for the ethnic look by using lots of seed beads to create
long stranded necklaces. Stock up on bright colours such as red, orange
and fuchsia for sizzling summer appeal,” they added.
Peak Dale Products also feel retailers should always have plenty of
the basics in stock, Beaders will always need thread, seed beads, spacers
etc., but shops should stock big statement beads more sparingly. They are
very fashion-led, and if you buy too many, you could be left with a lot on
your hands when the trend suddenly changes. It’s much better to stock
little and often, introducing new beads every time you order.
The fi nal word goes to Michelle Powell “Whatever you choose to
stock, the golden rule is to inspire your customers with plenty of design
inspiration, actual fi nished samples are perfect and the more you have
the more your tills will ring. If you don’t have time to make samples,
make sure you stock a good selection of beading books and magazines,
such as Beads & Beyond so that your customers can still be inspired to
create!” C
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