Choosing Beads for Your Hemp Jewelry
I have been thinking lately about beads and hemp jewelry. Do people enjoy different and unique beads for their jewelry? Do they prefer the same type of beads that you see in a lot of stores that carry hemp jewelry made overseas? I see a lot of bone type beads, small wooden beads and the same colors of beads in these stores, and to ME they are boring.
I have come to a block in making my hemp jewelry. Which is kind of obvious going through my site, as there is not many styles to choose from as I have been clearing out designs that do not sell. It is so hard to know what will sell and what won’t, what people like and what they do not like. Ever have a piece of jewelry that you think is so cool and unique and then no one likes it?
I guess I am not a marketing type of gal. It is all about knowing and researching your market, and suppling to them what they want.
When you choose your beads for making hemp jewelry what do you look for? Specific colors? Materials? for example glass, wood, polymer clay, lamp work, sea glass. Do you pick what you like and hope others will like it as well? Do you go with trends that you see? I am curious to see what others think about this and how you choose what your jewelry will look like.
Happy Knotting
June 12th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Chris Moran
June 14th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Personally, I love using glass beads. Recently I used some that were light blue with gold along the outside. Two colors together work really well, like red and yellow crackled glass beads. Stones are pretty, too, like birthstones for the month I was born. Colors have to match, but I’ve found I like just one color of cord, usually just traditional color. Or something like small blue glass beads on black cord in that waving knot, that would look cool. Ooh, idea. x) I pick what I like and make stuff for myself. I hate making stuff for others ’cause, as you said, it’s hard to know what they’ll like. If it’s for a friend, I can take a guess, but that’s about it. I definitely go with trends that I see, I look at etsy for ideas then make my own.
Hope this helps you!
Andi
Andis last blog post..Forum Rules
June 16th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Hey Andi,
Awesome comment!! Thanks for sharing.
See everyone has their own preferences. It is hard to know when making them for others.
I have so many pieces of jewelry laying around here, which half are not on my site ( I know..my bad) but I just have them from experimenting and such, then I don’t take time to get them posted. Frustrating sometimes to me.
Etsy is such an awesome site for inspiration!!
As always thanks for stopping by!
June 20th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I think in order to have a following of any kind you have to develop your own style and taste. Things that you like personally. To get a feel for what other people will like as well, I like to wear my jewelry all the time. Lots of different pieces and listen for comments.
If you go to a place like etsy you will see the most successful sellers have a unique style. When you find one that you would love to wear, look at the seller’s sold items. This will tell you what people buy from that seller. They most likely have the same ‘voice’ to them. If you keep changing styles to suit the latest trend you won’t get a following and repeat sales. You will just be another me-too seller.
And trust me Kristy, you are so cool and unique that people will want to buy from you if you just be yourself and make things that you love!
Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutors last blog post..Part 3 – Making Polymer Clay Beads from a Spring Color Palette
June 24th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Hey Cindy,
Thanks for the tips and inspiration.
I love etsy, but never thought of looking there at that point of view!!
You rock!
June 27th, 2008 at 4:27 am
I read similar article also named g beads for your hemp jewelry, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I like a natural look… Natural, or darker colored hemp, With stone/wooden beads.
November 30th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I tend to stick with either wooden or glass beads, usually glass. I prefer brighter colors but occasionally I like more subdued colors depending on what outfits I want to match it with.
Sarah @ Troll Beads Guides last blog post..Troll Beads Make A Perfect Christmas Gift
December 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I just have a question. Some one wants me to make him a hemp necklace with real marijuana seeds weaved though it. Do you have any idea how to do that?
Thanks in advanced
Tina
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Tina,
No I have no ideas on how to do that.
Good luck in your search
June 25th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I like colored hemp, and I like smaller designs. I like the colored hemp because the natural ones make me itch, and also because I love bright colors. I usually like some kind of center design, whether it be a pendant, or a number of beads just in the center. I like the square knot and the fishbone; I like mushrooms and other unusual pendants. Here is the fishbone: http://jewelrymaking.allinfoabout.com/features/hempfish.html
I do have one question though: Do you know how to make those square knot necklaces where the edges are one color and the rest is a different color?
January 13th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
my girlfriend has a hemp dread and she has 2-3 glass beads, and one bone colored with a small picture on it, i think she would like something new but thats what she has always had. i love the ideas tho. nice work.