It's Not Free!

So, a few months ago someone asked me how much it would cost for me to make several bracelets. So, my question was, "Well, I haven't priced that bracelet out recently, let me see if the materials are still available". No problem. This order would have been for four to five bracelets, all depending on the cost of course. So, I know exactly how much others are charging online for products similar to mine and I know they are overpriced. I diligently went to the bead store, priced out all the items and started a spreadsheet to do some online price comparisons. I love spreadsheets for just this reason. It took me some time at the Bead store, but I got all the prices, came home, whipped out a spreadsheet, then did some more research online to see where I could get any of those products cheaper.

Now, the reason for this is that if I can make the item as inexpensive as possible, I will charge less. Common Sense. This isn't my only job, so I am not looking to make a million dollars making jewelry, just a little profit and making someone happy with a beautiful creation at the same time. But, I am not making it for cost, nor for a $5 profit. That is not worth my time depending on the complexity.

So, I got all the info compiled and figured out the price and the time to make one bracelet. I gave the potential person the price and she flipped out! She told me that it was too expensive and the bracelets needed to be cheaper! The nerve. So, I responded, "if you look for something similar online, you are looking at $XXX.xx and I am charging 2/3 less than that." I said that if I am going to spend the time making something that it has to be worth my time and I am not making them at cost. The price I gave was incredibly reasonable for the item. It actually was a bargain and I went a little cheaper than I even wanted to begin with. Needless to say, those orders have not been placed. Why is it that people think that because an item is handmade that it should be really cheap and the person making the item shouldn't turn a profit (albeit a small one), but still. And the nerve of this woman, who doesn't make jewelry, to tell me that the price was a little too steep and can't it be cheaper!! You don't even know how much it cost me to make the item!! I am sure this isn't the only time or the last time that someone will be this rude about pricing but, to assume I am going to give it to you at cost is competely ridiculous and rude!!

Multi-Colored & Blue Swarovski Bracelet

Multi-colored Swarovski Cyrstal Bracelet. I have made several versions of this bracelet. Here are two versions that are available. This picture is a little blurry, but I will post a clearer one soon.

I made this bracelet for a fundraiser last year and it was a huge success. The woman that purchased it has gotten so many requests for this bracelet, that I have now started taking orders for this bracelet. It was made with Swarovski Crystal Aquamarine AB Bicone beads. The clasp is a button clasp that can be fastened with one hand very easily. I have made this bracelet in several different color schemes. If anyone is interested in one, email me for prices and colors.

My Current Jewelry Creations

This was a gift that I made for my mother's birthday. The design was a modification of a bracelet I saw. The pearl beads are not real pearls, but swarovski pearls so the color won't chip like fake pearls. The accents are smokey topaz swarovski crystals and gold filigree balls. The clasp is a button clasp so it can be put on and taken off with one hand and easy to clasp.

This silver bracelet is another modification of the bracelet above. I don't wear gold/bronze jewelry and made this one for myself out of silver beads. The accent balls don't come in silver, so I bought silver sparkly balls as accents for this bracelet and used a regular toggle clasp.

This was another design modification. The main black and white bead is a black sardonyx which is not easy to find. The white accents are cateye beads, with bronze swarovski pearls, black swarovski's, and oval/disc swarovski beads. I again used a regular toggle clasp.