Do you enjoy creating jewelry for yourself and your loved ones? What if you turned your favorite hobby into a source of income?

Living from your creations may seem utopian, however, it is quite possible to achieve a nice turnover thanks to the sale of jewelry. For that, it is enough to have the artistic fiber, to be manual and to be rigorous.

After a first article on this same theme dedicated to the positioning and the inspiration necessary before launching, we are going with this second part to look at the manufacture of jewelry, the management of a team and a workspace as well than about setting up an online jewelry store.

The manufacturing method—hand or factory, in-house or outsourced—will depend on the complexity of the design, price, materials, and your skill level.

Although assembling jewelry by hand is a method that requires dedication, it is still very customizable and versatile. Other methods employed in jewelry making require specialized training/certification and expensive equipment, depending on materials and design.

Often, making jewelry by hand involves only assembling existing elements (chains, wires, beads, pendants, etc.), and does not require specialized training or special equipment beyond pliers, hammers for jewelry, glue, and wire cutters.

Handmade jewelry making is an activity that can be scaled up more smoothly. This is because the component parts of jewelry can be purchased in bulk and the assembly process can easily be modeled and outsourced to interns or a team of employees.

Instead of making your jewelry by hand, you could outsource its production to a third party. This outsourced manufacturing method is not suitable for making jewelry, custom jewelry, or limited-edition jewelry. However, it is profitable for the mass production of fashion/costume jewelry. There are several options for outsourcing:

Local manufacturing: Local manufacturing has many advantages. Dealing with partners close to you allows you to exchange more fluidly, but also to go on site to check the quality of the materials and the finished product and also to ensure that the working conditions of the employees are good. . In addition, local manufacturing is a very good selling point. One thinks in particular of the higher manufacturing costs and the more limited choice of manufacturers.

Manufacturing overseas: Manufacturing your jewelry overseas can also be advantageous. The main advantages of this method of manufacture are: lower costs, more options in terms of materials and processes. As for the negative points, we think first of all of the working conditions of the employees and of the communication which can sometimes prove difficult with the manufacturer.

The easiest way to make jewelry, if you’re not experienced enough in jewelry making, is to go through a fulfillment service. These companies operate like Printful , an on-demand printing and shipping service for customizable t-shirts/products.

There are several online resources that allow wholesale purchase of jewelry materials, tools, and raw materials, including raw metals and gemstones. Here are some French resources to explore:

Tip  : You may find more platforms specializing in the sale of jewelry accessories, supplies and tools by searching for relevant keywords on Google (e.g. “tools for making jewelry”).

Finding good suppliers is often a worry for startup creators. While many names are easy to find on the internet, it is still essential to check their reputation.

But don’t forget that word of mouth is probably the best way to find the perfect supplier, one who will work seriously and in whom you can have complete confidence. Do not hesitate to ask other craftsmen, if some will probably jealously keep the name of their suppliers, others will undoubtedly help you with pleasure.

If you choose to learn a specialized skill like crimping, there are many resources you can find useful (including credential courses and online tutorials). Prioritize workshops and programs in your area, or start by exploring these resources to get you started: