What’s better than making jewelry? How about saving money on jewelry supplies while you’re doing it? Here are some saving tips for you:

1. It’s good to shop around

Us creative folks tend to be quite loyal, but there is nothing wrong with looking outside your usual supplier for your beading needs. There are a lot of great sources online and offline that have weekly and monthly coupons, deals and discounts, free shipping, and great products. Signing up for newsletters will alert you to deals when they happen, and sometimes these sales and discounts are offered exclusively to newsletter subscribers.

2. Buying in bulk can save you a bundle

This doesn’t only apply to rice and toilet paper. You’d be amazed of how much you can save by buying a certain amount of beads, wire, chain… and you’ll need this stuff eventually, so in the long run, you save time too!

3. Copper, Steel, and Brass are metals too

Sometimes artisans that sell jewelry think only silver and gold can command the kind of retail sales prices that can actually pay the bills but that is not always true. I must admit, I do have a special place in my heart for sterling silver, but the possibilities of brass, copper and steel beads, charms, and findings should not be overlooked. There are a number of well respected and renowned artists making beautiful jewelry using these metals in their work. And the variety of beads and findings in these metals are growing by leaps and bounds as silver and gold continue to rise in price.

4. Watch for Garage Sales

Other people’s junk is a jewelry maker’s treasure. Don’t necessarily look at an item “as is”. Old costume necklaces are a great example. Remember that everything can be taken apart and used for its spare parts.

5. Check out Thrift stores

Other than bell-bottoms and romance novels, there are other great finds in those mothball-smelling treasure troves. They are one of the best places to find old costume jewelry, and I’m talking CHEAP! And if you’re really lucky and determined, you might even find some actual vintage pieces.

6. Think outside of beads

Ever heard the term greencraft or eco-jewelry? Go green in your hunt for jewelry making components by reusing and recycling. Jewelry can literally be made out of anything, so look around! Old CDs, bottle caps, Christmas ornaments, games pieces, and old watch parts are great components for creative jewelry. Reusing and repurposing will save you money and result in a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

7. Go to a Hardware Store

If you need wire, chains, links and the like, head to the source! Amid countless racks, rolls and hardware bins you will find jewelry making supplies and fixings at rock-bottom prices. You will also find other things you can’t live without, such as storage bins and baskets, small hand tools, torches and daylight lightbulbs for your photography setup.

Handcrafted items take a person with skill and talent time to make using hand tools.

Handmade jewelry isn’t confined to the boundaries factory made jewelry must have simply because it is mass produced. In order to make thousands of pieces that look exactly the same they have to be made in exactly the same manner. Machines can do that easily and cheaply. Each piece of handcrafted jewelry can be different, like the artist.

We all know the difference between a home cooked meal and fast food. Handmade sweaters are a more personal gift than machine made sweaters. Handcrafted jewelry is special in the same way. The person who made it cared about what they were doing. The artist hoped this creation would find a home with someone who would know, feel and truly appreciate the unique nature of their jewelry.

Handcrafted jewelry can be made of almost any material. Designs can vary with every piece. It is truly an art form. Most jewelry artisans design unique rings, pendants, earrings or other jewelry items. Many will make a series of related designs that compliment each other. The creative process is different for everyone. The limited manufacture of handmade jewelry is what drives the artist to constantly create new designs.

Art has many mediums. Contemporary art jewelry is made with an endless array of beads from all over the world. It can be made from rubber, many types of metal, plastic, glass and even paper. Art jewelry is available to fit every individual and every budget.

More are shopping in small stores, craft fairs and online from small artisans. Handmade jewelry is becoming more popular every day.