Perhaps you couldn’t find that perfect piece of jewelry for sale in a store, or maybe you wanted to use your creativity and craft a bracelet featuring a unique medley of colors. Whatever the reason, if you’ve tried and enjoyed making jewelry, you might be looking at the beginning of an exciting business opportunity. Starting a jewelry making business of your own will allow you to share your talents and ideas with others, and it’s even a business you can start up as a hobby in your spare time right out of your home.

As you navigate various responsibilities, from drafting a business plan to handling administration, our guide is here to clarify the process. We’ll provide an overview of the business, steps to get started, and answers to common questions.

Business Overview

Jewelry making businesses put creativity and an eye for design and craftsmanship to create unique jewelry pieces and lines. Jewelry makers may work with many different mediums, including precious metals and stones and more affordable supplies that can be found at local bead and craft shops. With jewelry available at many different price points, a jewelry maker can start with more affordable materials before progressing to higher-end jewelry and supplies.

A talented jewelry designer can build up a loyal customer base with effective marketing. Some jewelry makers may choose to wholesale their products to retailers, allowing them to focus entirely on production instead of customer sales. Handmade jewelry makers may also sell their products directly to consumers through venues like craft fairs and online platforms like Etsy or even their own online store.

The jewelry making industry is highly competitive, so fashion jewelry designers need to be creative and innovative in creating pieces that stand out. Jewelry makers can be skilled in specific techniques like metal smithing, gemstone setting, bead stringing, wire wrapping, or resin casting, and while artistic vision and technical competency are paramount, those skills alone don’t guarantee success.

Industry Summary

The jewelry manufacturing industry has faced headwinds in recent years due to soft consumer demand, industry contraction, and competition from low-cost foreign imports.

But, even with those headwinds, jewelry manufacturing in the US is expected to reach $21.5 billion in sales during 2023.¹ Opportunities exist for small-scale or specialty jewelers focusing on quality craftsmanship and custom-made pieces. Industry trends helping boutique businesses include the growth of online selling platforms like Etsy, rising consumer interest in locally sourced and artisanal products, and emerging technologies allowing for rapid prototyping and digital design capabilities. Jewelry makers who strategically market to a niche, keep costs low, and offer customized services can find a profitable place in the industry.

Steps To Start A Jewelry Making Business

With careful planning, starting a jewelry making business is an attainable goal for those with creative talent, business know-how, and determination to produce quality products that resonate with customers. Follow along with the core steps needed to start your business!

Step 1: What’s your Niche?

It’s thrilling to hit on a business idea that aligns with your passions. When you daydream about handcrafting and selling your jewelry designs (and making a few dollars :), your creativity ignites. It’s tempting at this stage to invest in tools, set up a studio, and jump straight into making pieces you love. But the excitement of a new venture can blind entrepreneurs. While you can skip this step and be successful, before going all in on a jewelry line, I recommend that you take a few minutes to research your target market and potential customers.

While you could make jewelry for everyone, the most successful businesses learn what a segment of customers want and deliver. Whether it’s casual bead jewelry or fine jewelry with gold and precious stones, knowing the kind of jewelry you plan to create will guide your market research and help you understand which customers are most likely to buy your creations.

Be specific in defining the jewelry niche and styles you’ll focus on. Are you drawn to working with fine metals and gemstones or intrigued by polymer clay and beadwork? Get clear on materials and methods. Then, identify associated target demographics. For example, bohemian-style beadwork may appeal to young free spirits, while diamond tennis bracelets attract affluent professionals. Know your products’ purpose – are they fashion accents or keepsake heirlooms? This shapes buyer motivations. Analyze these factors to figure out your ideal customer profile, then analyze if enough of those customers exist.

One way to gain insight into your target market is by attending craft fairs, festivals, and farmer’s markets. Take the chance to speak with shoppers. Inquire about their preferences and what they wish to see more of in the jewelry market. This direct feedback is invaluable in shaping your product line to meet customer demands. By observing which styles and types of jewelry sell well at these events, you can identify trends and preferences among potential customers.

Step 2: Write a Business Plan

You’re probably eager at this point to just get started, but the next step is to write a business plan. While contrary to what you might feel, this is no step backward; it’s all forward motion, and here is why:

1. It makes your business vision clear: Preparing a business plan gives you a chance to define what your business is about. Going this route helps you decide on the type of jewelry you want to create, who you want to sell it to, and what makes your jewelry different from others. Having these details set in stone keeps you focused on your path.
2. It helps shape marketing and sales strategies: A business plan isn’t just an academic exercise; it’s a game plan. It helps you map out how to reach out to customers and get them interested in your products. This could include your plans for social media marketing, attending trade shows, or building solid customer relationships. Your business plan serves as your guide to connecting with your customers, who ultimately pay the bills.
3. It guides your financial decisions: One of the most important but underrated parts of a business plan is the financial projections. They allow you to outline how you’ll earn money, where you’ll spend it, and how much you’ll need to keep your business running smoothly.

Related:How to write a business plan

Step 3: Register the Business

Setting up a business for your jewelry making also means registering it properly. Every state has different rules, but here is an overview of the tasks to be aware of:

Choose a business structure: When starting a jewelry making business, you can choose from four main structures:

• Sole proprietorship: It’s easy and straightforward to set up. An advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it’s less expensive than other structures because fewer legal and accounting services are needed.
• General partnership: This is an option if you’re starting the business with one or more partners. All partners equally share the profits, losses, and management of the business.
• Corporation: This structure protects you from personal liability for business decisions or actions but includes more administrative tax requirements.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Combining features of both corporations and sole proprietorships, an LLC offers the personal liability protection of a corporation but with fewer legal formalities.

Related: Comparison of business structures

Business name registration: After registering the business structure, you may need to register your business name. This process will vary depending on what business structure you pick. Sole proprietors and partnerships will often be required to register a “Doing Business As” (DBA), while corporations and LLCs register with the state during the formation process.

During this time, it’s also a good idea to check if the name you want is available as a web domain, even if you’re not ready to set up a website yet.

Related: Finding a domain name for your business

Obtain business licenses and permits: Depending on where your business is located, you may need to acquire a business license and sales tax permit to legally operate your jewelry making business. Contact your local, state, or county government office to get information about specific license and permit requirements.

Related: State guides for general business licensing

Protect your designs: If your jewelry designs are unique, consider getting them protected by trademarks or copyrights. This can prevent others from copying your work. Registering for these protections is done through the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, respectively.

Related: What are the differences between a copyright, trademark, and patent?

Step 4: Set Up Operations

Starting a jewelry-making business comes with many exciting steps, but none are arguably as fun as finding a location and setting up your operations! Let’s look into what you need to know about these processes.

The location of your business can depend on several factors, including your budget, the nature of your business operation, and your target market.

• In-home workshop: Most jewelry making businesses can be started out of a spare room in the home, saving on rental costs.
• Retail store: If your business plan includes a brick-and-mortar store where you make and sell your jewelry, think about high-traffic areas where your target audience shops.
• Rental studio: Renting a dedicated studio space for jewelry-making can give you room to grow and create in peace. Think about cost-effectiveness, convenience, and the area’s security.

Next, getting the physical side of your business in order is very important. Here’s what you need to consider:

• Workbench: This is where you’ll spend a lot of your time crafting your products. Ensure it’s comfortable, with good lighting and easy access to all your tools.
• Tools and equipment: Necessary tools may include soldering equipment, jewelers’ files, hammers, mallets, a jeweler’s saw, wire cutters, and other precision tools.
• Storage: Organize your materials and finished products in such a way that they are safe, easy to find, and don’t get damaged.
• Safety measures: Jewelry making can involve working with sharp tools, chemicals, and hot surfaces, so ensure you have the right protective equipment and that your workspace is well-ventilated.

Last, having a reliable source for your materials is essential. Research reputable suppliers and order samples to check the quality.

Step 5: Create a Marketing Strategy

When you’re starting a new jewelry making business, you need a plan to let people know you’re open for business and ready to share your unique designs with the world. It starts with knowing where you will sell your products. It could be through e-commerce, craft fairs, or partnering with local retailers.

Each sales channel may require a different approach to marketing. If your goal is to sell to retailers, you’ll want to form relationships with other businesses. Attend industry events, trade shows, and perhaps even visit businesses personally. It might take time, but the connections you make could lead to long-term partnerships that benefit your business.

If you choose to sell directly to consumers online, consider using marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy. These sites have a massive customer base that you can tap into. To succeed here, having high-quality photos of your jewelry is important. These photos could be the difference between someone clicking ‘buy’ or scrolling past your product. If you’re not confident in your photography skills, it might be worth it to hire a professional.

But marketing your business goes beyond just product photos and sales channels. You need a professional website where you can share more about your business, show your full range of products, and tell the story behind your designs. This gives potential customers a deeper connection to your work and could lead to more sales.

Your marketing plan should also involve a strong social media presence. Social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube are great for showcasing your products in a more casual environment and interacting with customers. Share behind-the-scenes snaps of your jewelry-making process, create posts that highlight each piece’s unique features, and encourage your followers to share their own experiences with your jewelry.

Finally, nothing beats the face-to-face interaction of events like craft fairs. These give people an opportunity to see your craftsmanship up close and learn more about the person behind the designs. Alongside your digital marketing efforts, these events can be an effective way to build a community around your brand and create more buzz for your new jewelry business.

Step 6: Prepare to Launch!

Starting a jewelry making business involves several steps beyond the core aspects we’ve already discussed. As you continue on your journey, there are probably more tasks to consider to help your business run smoothly and securely. Every business will have different needs, and in this section, we will cover some crucial elements, such as business insurance, bookkeeping, and payment methods.

Business insurance: No matter the size or scope of your business, consider protecting it with the right insurance. This can include general liability insurance to cover potential damages or injuries related to your business operations and product liability insurance to protect against claims related to the products you sell.

Setting up bookkeeping: Keeping accurate records and managing finances is essential for any business to handle daily transactions, taxes, and financial statements. You could hire a bookkeeper or use bookkeeping software to stay organized and manage the financial side of your business.

Opening a business bank account: Having a separate bank account for your business helps keep personal and professional finances separate. This makes tracking your income and expenses more straightforward and simplifies tax preparation.

Accepting credit cards: When selling at markets or events, be ready to accept credit card payments. This demonstrates your commitment to providing accessible payment options for your customers. A few popular options include Square or Stripe.

Steps To Start A Jewelry Making Business

Resources:

1. IBISWorld ↩︎