Do you love to make Jewelry at home?  Have you thought about adding income by applying this wonderful craft?  Hear it from someone that has done just that!  I was able to interview Rosie of Paradise Gifts.  She and her son make beautiful hand crafted jewelry. 

She has answered some questions for us regarding her business and how to get started:

1.  How was it that you first started to make jewelry?

I first started making jewelry by checking out handcrafted jewelry sold on eBay. I saw all those lovely creations and thought, "hey, this is something I could do!" I searched online for sites that would teach me how. About.com is a very good teaching site. After I got a few tips from them, I started buying supplies from eBay sellers. I also found a wholesale source, so I also sell supplies to folks who make jewelry. I sell my supplies and some of my creations on JustBeads.com under my seller ID rtanza, and I also sell my jewelry (which my 8 year old son
helps make) on my own website.

2. How long have you been making jewelry?

I've been making jewelry for about three years.

3. I see that your son helps you make your jewelry. What has that experience
been like?

It's been a wonderful experience to have my son by my side in helping me make the jewelry. Not only does he help with the beading, but he also has great design ideas! He's also my "critic." I show him the items after they're made and he sees how they look on me. He tells me, "Mom, if they look great on you, I know they'll look great on other ladies, too!"

4. Where do you find the material to make your jewelry?

I sometimes buy a special piece, like a specially handcrafted lampworked bead, from an online auction seller, if I want to make an extra special item of jewelry. But, I usually make my jewelry from the beads I purchase through my wholesale sources.

5. How do you advertise, online and offline?

I advertise online by listing my site throughout the most popular search engines, by using a signature on my outgoing email with a link to my site, and by placing ads on free jewelry and craft-related classified sites. I've also joined several WAHM and crafting webrings for extra exposure. Offline, I usually advertise word-by-mouth to friends, I wear some of my own creations to create that "hey, were'd ya buy that lovely necklace?" and I reply, "funny that you'd ask, ... ." I also make gifts of jewelry for birthdays and other special occasions, and usually the gift recipients and/or their families and friends ask to see my items to possibly buy a special handcrafted gift for someone they know.

6. What has been the most challenging aspect of making jewelry at home?

The most challenging part of making jewelry at home is to find the time to do it. Being a single, home schooling mom, I sometimes find it hard to find the time to sit down for at least a couple of hours and create an item. I like to finish my items the same day I start them.

7. What was the best advice given to you in regards to making jewelry?

The best advice given to me in regards to making jewelry was to not be afraid of marketing my talents. Sometimes we believe that nobody would even be remotely interested in something we've created, but it turns out that others usually are interested in one form or another.

8. If someone wanted to get involved in making jewelry at home, as a
 business, what advice would you give them?

The advice that I would give anyone who'd like to make jewelry at home is to find a FREE online course or online tips on how to start. You really don't need to waste money on expensive courses. Most of it is online for free anyway. Unless you want to get into bead creation in itself (like lampworked beads) to create and sell them to other jewelry makers. Then you may need to take a course on it.  If you decide to sell your creations,  remember that you'll also need to buy bubble wrapping and mailing supplies if you decide to sell online, and to decide whether you'll sell to folks just within your country or internationally. Get advice from the USPS on how best to ship items and the cost of postage. You can also get some FREE mailing supplies from the USPS. Don't forget to check out the supplies that I have at JustBeads.com under my seller ID rtanza, if you need supplies. You can also email me for help on how to start your own business.

You can also have "jewelry parties" at home. Invite a few friends and family over for one of these parties, serve coffee, tea, and cakes or cookies, and show your jewelry.

Also, wear your creations to "ooohhh!" and "aaahhh!" those people out there. You, too, will be able to lure those secret admirers of your jewelry into wanting to "capture" one of your creations!

Rosie Tanza, single, home schooling, WAH mom of Dominic, age 8, and co-creator of "Paradise Gifts."

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