Selling Custom Beaded Lanyards | Make It, Wear It, They'll Buy It
A Simple Strategy For Selling Your Handmade Jewelry That Works… Today, Tomorrow and Even During A Recession:
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Wear the polymer clay jewelry you make. Others will notice and some will ask where you got it. Being able to say you made it yourself is a great feeling. Ending up with a new customer that loves what you do and wants to buy what you make, is even better.
I often sell my custom beaded lanyards (one of them is pictured above in the photo) right from around my neck. I first wrote about selling lanyards like this back in an April 2008 article titled: Pirate Crossbones Jewelry Pillaged in Broad Daylight
Keep in mind that just because times are financially tough right now, does not mean people aren't spending. They are just being wiser with their money. They want to get good value. And in my opinion, handmade jewelry with custom polymer clay focal beads, is really great value for the customer… especially when they get the opportunity to buy direct from the artisan… YOU!
Let's face it, no matter what the economy is doing, people still need accessories for a special outfit. And gifts are still exchanged amongst friends and family.
So why not put yourself in the loop. Wear the bead jewelry pieces you make. Be proud of them. And let others know that you can do custom work for them too.
I have a friend at the YMCA that bought her first Beaded Lanyard ID Badge Holder from me just before Christmas last year. Ever since then she just keeps coming back for more and more. I love it. She loves it. Her friends love it. Everyone is happy!
So if you could use a few extra bucks during these recessionary times, try making and wearing your own custom beaded lanyards to the gym, to work or to wherever you need to have your id badge or keys handy. You may find yourself making some new friends and some potential customers.
Need more Beaded Lanyard Patterns and Eyeglass Leash Ideas? Here's 2 more resources for you:
- Beaded Eyeglass Holder Made with Polymer Clay and Glass Beads
- Badge Lanyard Project Using Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise Beads
Filed Under: 11: Bead Projects, 16: Sell Your Stuff by Comment. 
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Comments on Selling Custom Beaded Lanyards | Make It, Wear It, They'll Buy It
1:53 pm
This is so true! I think even though times are tough right now, people are buying handmade goods more than ever! Great post!
I must admit though that I had no idea what a Lanyard was. ;)
4:01 pm
How do you price something like this? Use a lanyard at work for my ID, I have a couple one of which is my PC beads. Even though the lanyard's do not need a closure I do put magnetic due to my work environment. These can be gotten from Fire Mountain Beads. this feature might be an added bonus for customers.
4:43 pm
@Kelly: Glad to see you agree! I think handmade is almost always a better bang for your buck, especially since you can cut out the middle man plus get something more unique! Thanks for the feedback!
@Anna: The price you charge really depends on a few things. I've sold beaded lanyards for as much as $60 and for as little as $15. Right now the $15 – $20 range sells well. In that case I use mostly seed beads to keep the cost of supplies down and only add a few handmade beads as focal beads. I like the idea of the magnetic closure for places where a breakaway closure is needed for safety. Would possibly need to raise the price for that if the cost is higher though.
4:15 pm
Hi, Cindy!!
just wanted to pop in and say hello. I hope you're having a great week!
-betsy
4:47 pm
Thanks for popping by to say hi Betsy! Hi Back. So what's up in the fashion world these days? Any cool new trends in jewelry we should know about?
5:47 pm
I recently found this link that show the spring 2009 color predictions. I plan to use the 2008 and 2009 colors in my creations:
www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/PANTONE-FCR-sp2009.pdf
6:14 pm
I really like the Pantone color predictions. Made up a recipe for Blue Iris the 2008 color of the year awhile back (click the link by my name). Was thinking of making polymer clay recipes for the rest of the colors as well….
7:16 am
I could not remember how I heard abut Pantone and it was definitely from you. i made up the Blue iris last year and the color was absolutely beautiful,
12:07 pm
I'm glad you liked it Anna! I will try and make up some of the other Pantone colors as well. Thanks for your comment!
4:37 pm
No better advertising than wearing your own designs. I can't tell you how many I've sold while wearing (even when I really wanted for myself). Thanks for getting the word out that even today, women still want jewelry.
5:17 pm
Thanks for the comment Donia! I think especially in times like these, women will turn to handmade jewelry. It is the unique and small luxuries we all seek when times are tough. It is a time of great opportunity for all handmade jewelry artists!