Hola!

Am new to the site and actually new to the whole beading hobby!! I am interested to know if anyone has tips for a new starter like myself? Am looking to also make some extra $ by selling so wish me luck!  

¡Hola a usted! ¿Coma esta?

You have taken the first step, you joined the lists.  Look around, read the postings; we even have threads on pricing, selling, making, etc.

I always look for new posts, and read them all -- even back to the first ones.

Always be willing to ask questions.

And do not be in a rush to sell.

 I

Stan B.:

 

And do not be in a rush to sell.

 

 I agree with you... since am super new to this! Am going to look around I got two PDF's for a beginner bracelet and a some simple earrings. Now I looked at Joann fabric and saw that some beads are pretty expensive... any suggestion where I can get a box of bead to start with?

thanks for the welcome

I use my Local Bead Store [LBS] and Fire Mountain Gems.  When you get to selling your beadwork, and have a tax number, Caravan Beads apparently has lower prices for businesses. Others on the list use some other places.

I purchase VERY LITTLE at JoAnn Fabric, because I do not care for the low quality [my perception].  Likewise I look around at the stock before I buy at any store.

Have you read the discussions for "Where can I find..." and "How do I..."?  Some good help there, as well as in the other threads.  Then some of our members also have businesses.  Oh yes, several people have, in their postings, listed places which have free tutorials, beyond what the list offers elsewhere on the site.

Stan B.

since my grandpa told me not to rush selling things. ;-) I better keep quiet this time and just give you warm welcome :-)

 Thanks for the warm welcome.. was looking at your site.. interesting..

Nice to meet you, and welcome!  Ask us anything, we love to help.  I answered your other post about a box of beads, but I forgot to mention:  look at garage sales and pawnshops!  I've found all kinds of stuff there, usually for a fraction of what it's worth.  Of course there's always a bunch of junk, but having a bit of junky stuff to practice with and to learn the difference between good stuff/crap is not a bad thing.  I'd hazard a guess that most of us started out that way to some extent.

 Nice to meet you too! You know what that is so true about the garage sales because not to long ago my mother went to one and was able to get some beads that were just too unique for my cousin who seems to be an expert.

My grandma loves to go to garage sales, and she has found me some great things.  She seems to have an eagle eye, and she's a penny pincher so she always thinks she paid too much.  She found me a necklace full of vintage Swarovskis on rusty chain and thought 50 cents was too much for it.  I assured her it was a spectacular find!

 She thought 50 cents was too much that is so cute!

 Hi Blueskies, and welcome to the club!

So you're just getting started?  Get ready for a real addiction!  Are you going to do basic stringing, or are you going to try beadweaving?  If you are going to start out stringing, I have a couple of suggestions for you.

If you are going to string on beading wire, be sure that you use wire guardians, especially if you are planning to sell down the road.  Using wire guardians will prevent the beading wire from wearing at the clasp and breaking.  It also gives your pieces a professional look.

Secondly, if you want to purchase a good supply of beads at good prices, try going to a bead show.  I just received a schedule today for the "International Gem & Jewelry Show", which is the show from which I purchase many of my beads and findings.  You're in Illinois?  The next show in Chicago is on the weekend of December 12.  Check out the schedule yourself by going to www.intergem.com.  They had a show in Collinsville last month (which doesn't help you NOW of course).  This particular show has some great vendors.  I don't know if the same vendors go to every show, but the vendors from India have some great deals at great prices, especially on garnets!  Indian garnets are some of the best (in my opinion).  And you can buy quality pearls at low prices from the Chinese pearl farms at these shows also.  Be prepared to take plenty of money, because you won't be able to resist all of the goodies!

If you get a resale license, you can get into the wholesale section of these shows and pay even less money!  I always take at least $1,000 when I go to these shows.

Another important thing I've learned....when buying temporarily strung beads, look closely at how they are strung on the line to be sure the beads are drilled in the center of the bead (that is, if they are meant to be center-drilled, such as round beads).  If you are not careful, it is very easy to pay good money for a strand of beads that you think are quality, only to find that they are not drilled in the center, which can affect the way your jewelry piece looks.  I'm a perfectionist, and I can't stand it if round beads aren't center-drilled.

Sorry for rambling on, but you asked for tips and I love giving them!

 Haven't really started on anything yet... working on getting all the materials and ideas together. Thanks for the info on the show I will definately be going to that.

I love to hear advice and suggestions and I am more than willing to hear anyone out on something am still a young buck on lol.

 Hello Blueskies, and welcome to this forum.

There are lots of talented people here to answer any questions you have.

jaycee

www.jayceepatterns.com

 thanks!

 Hi!

If you can, see if there will be any bead shows in your area and prepare to be overwhelmed with beads!  I prefer to shop there as prices are much better.  Also, look around on the internet as some places are reasonable. 

And I agree with the advice to wait on selling.  Despite how good you may be, it still takes awhile to get things up to "professional" looking.  Even though I've been beading 6 years, I shudder now when I look at the first stuff I did.

Happy beading!

Mimi