A Reader Asks if it’s Possible to Earn Extra Income From Selling His Polymer Clay Jewelry And Beads Online:
The other day in another post here at the blog, Jonathan (Jon) Williams wrote, “I work full-time but have been looking for ways to supplement my income and a way to feed my creative (polymer clay) hunger.”
Jon… I promised you that I would write a separate article to address this topic, because it is an important one. I have actually written about it quite a bit over the last year. And by the end of this post, you will have lots of resource links to follow up on… links to articles that will give you many creative ideas to think about.
For the sake of everyone else who is also following along, see below for Jon’s full comment which was originally posted at this article: Polymer Clay Image Transfer
Hi Cindy,
I just recently discovered your web site and I couldn’t be more excited. I have always dabbled in artistic projects but just discovered polymer clay a few years ago and fell in love with the medium. I bought a few books, which I’m crazy about but nothing compares to your wonderful tutorials. What an incredible way to learn and what a generous soul you are for sharing your wisdom and incredible talent.
I get so excited every time I get your emails and almost get overwhelmed because there are so many techniques and projects I want to experiment with!! LOL
Also, I wanted to get your opinion on something. I work full-time but have been looking for ways to supplement my income and a way to feed my creative hunger. Do you think there is a good market for making/selling poly clay jewelry/items on the internet or in other venues? I’ve seen some really neat items made and it just seems that there would be an audience who would purchase these. However, being so new to this I’m just not sure.
Again, thank you for all that you do and share with the rest of the artists in the world. It is greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Jon
First off… thank you so much Jonathan for your kind words of support and encouragement. I really appreciate you taking the time to write.
To address your question about generating supplemental income by selling your polymer clay beads and jewelry, please allow me to take you on a bit of a tour of some article resources that I know will help you out.
Pricing Jewelry Focal Beads on Etsy – Tips for Polymer Clay Artists
This article goes into detail on how you can use Etsy.com as a research tool to help you price your handmade beads. Even if you don’t plan on selling online. It also goes into ways you can educate your customer on your process of making beads and jewelry, so they can better understand the value of your product.
Bird Pendant Jewelry Trends on Etsy – Make Them with Polymer Clay
This article talks about how to find current trends in the handmade jewelry world by once again using Etsy as a research tool. By the way this article mentions the trend of all things ‘Birdy’. Although written more than 6 months ago, the trend is still hot. Maybe even hotter as I see several more trend articles have been written about bird themed products!
Another Bird Necklace Pendant | Etsy Tips For Your Jewelry Business
This article is about an interesting strategy to get your listings seen on Etsy. Sometimes practically giving your product away can mean perfect sense!
Jewelry Photography Tips for Etsy | Homemade Lightbox Tutorial
Your jewelry will never sell online if your photos suck. Here is an article on building a lightbox for taking photos of your beads and bead jewelry.
Bracelet Making – Custom Bead Jewelry using Polymer Clay Beads
An article about pleasing your customer when making custom bead jewelry.
Home Based Jewelry Business Owners – 6 Tips To Beat The Bad Economy
Need to figure out how to sell jewelry even in a down economy? Here are 6 Tips.
Custom Beaded Lanyard ID Badge Holders with Polymer Clay Focal Beads
An article about how wearing a beaded lanyard to carry your YMCA Membership card can lead to multiple custom lanyard sales.
Selling Jewelry to Niche Markets – Polymer Clay Bead Making Tips
This article talks about the need to think creatively and consider selling your jewelry to unexpected niche markets.
Etsy Shop Success Story About Polymer Clay Artist missficklemedia
Want to know if others are succeeding in selling their polymer clay beads, pendants and jewelry? Here is a wonderful success story of a woman (a reader of this blog) who has done just that!
Pricing and Selling Handmade Jewelry – Valuing Polymer Clay Beads
This article reveals the importance of not undervaluing your beads and bead jewelry. Sometimes you can actually sell more by charging more. Go figure!
Another quick note…
The resource list I provided above represents just a portion of the articles I’ve written on this topic of ‘Selling The Polymer Clay Beads And Jewelry That You Make’.
For more reading material, you can look further up on this page in the left side bar where the topic categories are listed. Click on the ‘Topic Category’ link that is labeled as ’16: Sell Your Stuff’.
How do you do it Cindy? Once again you have read my mind! As I get closer and closer to completing my “studio” (I use that term in the most liberal sense) I find myself thinking ahead to the hows and wherefors of what I will do with my finished “objets d’art” and how I might possibly make some money selling them. But before I can even ask the question, “O Great Swami Cindy” answers all! I just dont know how you do it all. Videos, color recipes, articles, etc… Whats your secret? You can tell me. You’re secretly triplets right? However you do it, please dont stop. You’re the best. XOXO Jamie
Not to hog your blog hon, but to comment on two of your articles above. I totally agree with the niche marketing tips and the custom made items articles you wrote. Until recently that accounted for almost 100% of my sold items. I used to sell my jewelry in a dance club where my husband was a bouncer, that served a predominantly gay clientele. I had great success making jewelry themed around the different niches within the gay community, and also themed to some of the special event parties they had several times a year. I always made sure they understood that I accepted special requests too, and even made jewelry to match outfits for several of the “Drag Queens” featured there as entertainment. (Which they were always kind enough to mention in their acts.) And I always made sure to donate items for all of their charity events. As a result I passed out a zillion business cards over the course of a couple of years, and I still get calls for special requests and gift items. XOXO Jamie
Just so you know Jamie, “Oh Great Swami Cindy” is doing a poor job of her housework and yard work lately! :-)
Love your second comment! Talk about niche markets! What a clever girl you are! Bet you have no competition at all. And I bet they just love the special pieces they get from you!
That is what’s great about polymer clay’s ability to adapt. Whether you’re making tiny teapots and roses for the gentle crowd, custom jewelry for Drag Queens, or yoga beads for Hippies, if you can dream it, you can create it in polymer clay!
Thanks for all you add to this blog Jamie! Hugs and Kisses back!
Hi, Cindy,
Thanks for all the recipes, etc that you send our way. I’m still enjoying making beads; it’s wonderful to be able to make jewelry to match outfits. I may be doing some custom work for a potential customer next year. Am in the midst of inventory, which I must complete for tax purposes in the US. One of the challenges is how to place a monetary value on certain polymer items after making them…..how much of a block of clay did I use, etc etc. A real brain-puzzler! Anyway I LOVE making beads. Your course has been so very helpful.
Jane
@Jan VW: I know what you mean, it sure can be a brain puzzler. There are several articles as well as some Gallery posts of my own pieces that are priced, that may be helpful to you in figuring out your pricing. Just type ‘pricing’ or ‘gallery’ or any other word that will help you, into the search box at the top of the page and a list will come up of posts you can read. Good luck!
The other day someone offered to buy the very first piece of polymer clay jewelry I had ever made. I was so excited, but I can’t sell it. Lol. Your site is great, thanks again.