Craft Paper Scissors

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Projects
    • Kids’ Crafts
    • Paper Crafts
    • Jewelry Crafts
    • Christmas Crafts
    • Holiday Crafts
      • Easter Crafts
      • Father’s Day Crafts
      • Fourth of July Crafts
      • Mother’s Day Crafts
      • Halloween Crafts
      • St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
      • Seasonal Crafts
      • Special Occasions
      • Thanksgiving Crafts
      • Valentine’s Day Crafts
    • Full Tutorials
    • Crochet
    • Home Decor
    • Organizational Crafts
    • Wedding Crafts
  • Newsletters
  • Giveaways & Contests

How to Make Jewelry on a Budget

April 4, 2016 by CraftPaperScissors

Today we have a guest post from Nina Blaicher of Tronex Tools! She’ll be telling us all about how to make jewelry when your budget is tight. You’ll never have to let your wallet get in the way of your passion for jewelry-making again! Be sure to check out Tronex for all of your jewelry-making tools, too.

different beads made of glass and plastic chains and tools for making jewelry

Jewelry making is hot right now! Pinterest has been inspiring crafters with the possibilities, and Etsy has provided a way for them to sell their wares. Whether you want to sell jewelry or just like to make it for yourself and friends, jewelry making is a great hobby that gives you a wonderful creative outlet.

Real talk though: Making jewelry can be expensive. You have to buy a lot of tools and materials, and since the hobby is so popular right now, you’ll pay a pretty penny for it all. Fortunately, there are plenty of strategies for making jewelry on a budget. You can either get in more jewelry making time as a result, or you can maximize profits on what you sell.

Here are a few ideas for how to limit your expenses:

Buy Quality Tools

You will need a variety of tools, depending on what type of jewelry you make, such as jewelry cutters, pliers and punches. You can buy the cheapest tools available, but you’ll probably be replacing them in a few months because they’ve broken or become dull. Spend a little more, and you’ll have those tools for years, thereby lowering your costs over time.

different beads made of glass and plastic chains and tools for making jewelry

Catch Sales

Jewelry supplies go on sale at craft shops and online retailers all the time. There really is no reason to ever buy your tools or supplies at full price.

If you can’t wait for a sale, you can use a coupon. Many craft stores have a weekly coupon that’s good for 40 percent to 50 percent off a single item. If you are looking at a vendor that doesn’t offer the coupon, ask if they will honor their competitor’s pricing. Most would rather match the price than lose the sale. Just make sure you are looking at the same item if you are trying to get the match.

Recycle Materials

Most beads and jewelry findings can last for lifetimes before they start to decay. There’s no reason you can’t recycle materials for your jewelry.

Shop yard sales and thrift shops for old jewelry or household goods to strip for beads and parts. You’ll also find beads and other components that will make your jewelry more unique.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Crafters have made beautiful jewelry that features Barbie doll parts, game pieces, puzzle pieces, and more. You can find a lot of these items for pennies at sales.

DIY

Of course, you’re already doing it yourself by making the jewelry. However, there are even more things you can make yourself, such as the settings for your gems and even the beads themselves. You can make beautiful beads with a pack of Sculpey clay, or you can get more advanced and learn how to make glass beads.

different beads made of glass and plastic chains and tools for making jewelry

The more items you can make, the more you will save. You may spend more time and money up front, but you’ll spend far less over time on those materials. If you’re really good, you can even sell your own jewelry making supplies, thereby supplementing your hobby.

Making jewelry on a budget doesn’t have to be hard. You just need to make good buying decisions and think a little outside the box. Don’t just go to your nearest craft store for your jewelry making tools and buy what you see. Find the best quality tools and materials and then get them at a great price or on sale. Then recycle everything you can to save even more.

Have you ever tried making jewelry?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
CraftPaperScissors
Editor at CraftPaperScissors
Craft Paper Scissors is a creative hub for DIY enthusiasts, devoted hobbyists, casual crafters, and serious artists. Known as a crafter’s paradise, Craft Paper Scissors features craft advice, tips and tricks, tutorials, round ups, and inspiration in your favorite arenas: holiday crafts, wedding crafts, paper crafts, kids’ crafts, jewelry crafts and more.
Latest posts by CraftPaperScissors (see all)
  • Bundle Up: 25 Winter Accessories to Keep You Warm - January 7, 2023
  • 10 New Year’s Crafts to Help you Throw the BEST Party Ever - December 30, 2022
  • Operation Christmas Child Craft: DIY Spinning Top - December 7, 2022

Filed Under: Jewelry Crafts Tagged With: Jewelry Crafts, jewelry design, tips

Email Email Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS

Subscribe to the Craft Paper Scissors Newsletter.

Paper Crafts

25 DIY Paper Bookmarks

15 Paper Camera Crafts That Click

Categories

Free eBooks

Gorgeous Paper Crafts

Make It Gorgeous! Create Beautiful Paper Crafts

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: these paper crafts are simply gorgeous! We love beautiful paper crafts over at AllFreePaperCrafts.com, which is why our very first printable collection of craft ideas is simply stunning. In Gorgeous Paper Crafts: 18 Card … [Read More...]

More Recent Posts

DIY Bohemian Car Charms

Paper Crafting With Heart: 12 DIY Valentine’s Projects

Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Wreath

50+ Nostalgic Easy Kids Crafts from your Childhood

See All Posts Here

Archives

Kids’ Crafts

50+ Nostalgic Easy Kids Crafts from your Childhood

50+ Nostalgic Easy Kids Crafts from your Childhood

Holiday

DIY Carved Glitter Candles

Jewelry

Silver and Gold Jewelry: Have Yourself a Merry Metallic Christmas

Silver and Gold Jewelry: Have a Merry Metallic Christmas

Paper Crafts

Paper Crafting With Heart: 12 DIY Valentine’s Projects

Weddings

DIY Wedding Backdrops

21 Instagram-Worthy DIY Wedding Backdrops

Crochet

On Your Mark, Get Set, GO: How to Make a Scarf in 1 Night

Prime Publishing Craft Group
Copyright © 2023 · CraftPaperScissors.com - A Prime Publishing LLC property. All rights reserved.

About Us Advertise Contact Us FAQs Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Subscribe Terms of Service Unsubscribe

Copyright © 2023 · Tidy Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in