| What's better than making jewelry? How about | | | | Don't necessarily look at an item "as is". Old |
| saving money on jewelry supplies while you're | | | | costume necklaces are a great example. |
| doing it? Beads, wire,metal sheets, charms, stones | | | | Remember that everything can be taken apart |
| and tools can add up to a mighty sum. And don't | | | | and used for its spare parts. |
| get me started on the precious metals like gold | | | | 5. Check out Thrift stores |
| and sterling silver! These metals are skyrocketing | | | | Other than bell-bottoms and romance novels, |
| in price aren't they? | | | | there are other great finds in those |
| I love silver and gold, but I find I can't afford | | | | mothball-smelling treasure troves. They are one |
| them anymore - at least not regularly. Rising | | | | of the best places to find old costume jewelry, |
| market prices don't have to bring you down | | | | and I'm talking CHEAP! And if you're really lucky |
| though. They really are a blessing in disguise if | | | | and determined, you might even find some actual |
| you're willing to challenge yourself to try you | | | | vintage pieces. |
| never would have thought of when silver was | | | | 6. Think outside of beads |
| relatively inexpensive. | | | | Ever heard the term greencraft or eco-jewelry? |
| I've made a bunch of happy discoveries in my | | | | Go green in your hunt for jewelry making |
| quest to save money on jewelry supplies and I'm | | | | components by reusing and recycling. Jewelry can |
| pleased that the challenge has prompted even | | | | literally be made out of anything, so look around! |
| greater levels of creativity than ever before. I've | | | | Old CDs, bottle caps, Christmas ornaments, |
| compiled some money-saving tips for you, the | | | | games pieces, and old watch parts are great |
| thrifty jewelry artisan, that don't break the bank. | | | | components for creative jewelry. Reusing and |
| 1. It's good to shop around | | | | repurposing will save you money and result in a |
| Us creative folks tend to be quite loyal, but there | | | | truly one-of-a-kind piece. |
| is nothing wrong with looking outside your usual | | | | 7. Go to a Hardware Store |
| supplier for your beading needs. There are a lot | | | | If you need wire, chains, links and the like, head to |
| of great sources online and offline that have | | | | the source! Amid countless racks, rolls and |
| weekly and monthly coupons, deals and discounts, | | | | hardware bins you will find jewelry making supplies |
| free shipping, and great products. Signing up for | | | | and fixings at rock-bottom prices. You will also |
| newsletters will alert you to deals when they | | | | find other things you can't live without, such as |
| happen, and sometimes these sales and discounts | | | | storage bins and baskets, small hand tools, |
| are offered exclusively to newsletter subscribers. | | | | torches and daylight lightbulbs for your |
| 2. Buying in bulk can save you a bundle | | | | photography setup. |
| This doesn't only apply to rice and toilet paper. | | | | Some last words of advice before you run off to |
| You'd be amazed of how much you can save by | | | | shop for supplies. Sometimes we are our own |
| buying a certain amount of beads, wire, chain... and | | | | worst enemy, aren't we? Here's what I mean: |
| you'll need this stuff eventually, so in the long run, | | | | We don't want to spend too much, but when we |
| you save time too! | | | | get to the store everything seems so shiny and |
| 3. Copper, Steel, and Brass are metals too | | | | beautiful, and there are such great deals too! |
| Sometimes artisans that sell jewelry think only | | | | Before you know it you've blown a wad of cash |
| silver and gold can command the kind of retail | | | | on stuff you didn't plan on buying until you saw |
| sales prices that can actually pay the bills but that | | | | them. |
| is not always true. I must admit, I do have a | | | | The best money saving tip I can give you is plan, |
| special place in my heart for sterling silver, but the | | | | plan, plan! Make a list (and stick to it), a spending |
| possibilities of brass, copper and steel beads, | | | | limit (that you don't go over), and a reward for |
| charms, and findings should not be overlooked. | | | | being so disciplined (or maybe even a price you |
| There are a number of well respected and | | | | need to pay if you have poor follow-through!). If |
| renowned artists making beautiful jewelry using | | | | you are particularly challenged in these areas, let a |
| these metals in their work. And the variety of | | | | friend or a spouse know your plan and ask them |
| beads and findings in these metals are growing by | | | | to help keep you accountable. Better yet bring a |
| leaps and bounds as silver and gold continue to | | | | friend or a spouse who is bored to tears by |
| rise in price. | | | | beads - you're more likely to quickly get what |
| 4. Watch for Garage Sales | | | | you need instead of lingering and browsing if you |
| Other people's junk is a jewelry maker's treasure. | | | | know that someone is waiting for you to finish up. |