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Beadwork or… Making Beads Work for You by Crista Toler

Everyone likes something new for their business; whether it is a new bisque shape, a new marketing concept or even a new product line. When looking to expand your studio offerings, be sure to consider beading. Beads offer excellent margins. The low price points for beads, findings and tools allow you to increase your bottom line while keeping your customer excited and coming back for more. Beading is fun, easy and a great way to make money!

 Why Beads?

Adding beads to your studio offerings allows you to provide a wearable art project. Bead parties for adults, kids, and tweens are hot activities. A party during which the participants create a work of art that they can take home that day provides a fun and profitable solution to the customers’ desire for immediate gratification. Beading also provides an excellent “make and take” project for summer camps or off-site events. If you are short on time or are in need of pieces that do not need to be fired, beading is the perfect option. Whether you are looking for an introductory offering of beads or a more advanced beading program, you are sure to please customers of all ages.

The tween market is one of the hardest groups to reach and yet is one of the most fun groups to have in your studio. They know what they like and they enjoy creating finished pieces that are unique. They also like to work with friends toward a common goal. By promoting beads in your studio, you will be better equipped to sell to these young customers with disposable income.

Who – When - Where?

Most studios that have opened beading areas offer the activity throughout all studio hours. Classes are often held throughout the month to either teach customers the basics or a specific project. Some of the more popular class projects include combining beads with bisque shapes such as platters or serving pieces and more advanced jewelry. Summer camp, scouts and after-school art programs are ideal for introducing beads. Boys enjoy making simple surfer-type necklaces and bracelets in addition to beaded pieces as gifts for mom. Girls’ night out gets a twist when you encourage groups to work on beading projects. Beading gives your customer a new way to express their creativity and keeps them from catching the painting-burnout bug. The best customers are those that loyally visit your studio and become repeat business as well as walking advertisements for your studio. Keep them inspired and they will in turn inspire others by bragging about your studio (word-of-mouth advertising!).

Off-site events such as office parties or school projects are ideal for beading. Kids will enjoy painting plaques and adding their own beads once the plaques are fired. Taking a variety of beads, tools and findings to an office gathering would be a unique way to promote teambuilding. Imagine the fun of each employee creating a piece of jewelry for themselves or a friend. Brownie points would be flying for those men that come home with a necklace or earrings that they created for their sweetie.

What to Order

So you are ready to bring in the beads, but what do you order? Bisque Imports offers two Bead Starter Kits – The Basic and The Studio. Each is complete with everything you need to begin beading in your studio -- from bisque beads and glass beads to a display unit and a book all about beading. Basic projects may consist of cording, bisque beads and a few glass accent beads. The next level takes you to bead wire, crimps, spacers and even more glass beads. It may sound like a lot to learn but it is truly easy. Once you have the basics you are better able to get creative and try new techniques.

If you are interested in starting small, try Bisque Imports Bisque-Kits. These pre-packed projects provide everything you need (including a photo and instructions) to create simple jewelry. Bisque-Kits are big sellers for summer camp and for the child or parent that is waiting for their painting partner to complete their project. You may see all of the Bisque-Kits and Bead Starter Kits at www.bisqueimports.com.

Learning to Bead

The best way to learn is by doing. Order a few beads or visit a bead shop in your area to get a better understanding of what interests you. Do you like bisque beads that may be decorated with glazes, acrylics or silver clay products? You may prefer glass and silver beads plus a few crystals. Remember your customer is the ultimate consumer so be open to designs and shapes that may be foreign to your own sense of style. Purchase a book on basic beading from your local bookstore and start playing. As in all studio aspects, it is important to have well-trained employees who are ready and willing to help customers along this new avenue. Keep your employees involved as you learn more. Their feedback and creativity will go a long way in planning what you will offer. Some studio owners have hired professional bead artists or instructors to get their employees trained and ready for the new program.

 Selling Beads

You have purchased, played and planned. Now it is time to sell! To keep your beads organized and easy to find, display them in either tiered stands, small bowls or jars (preferably with lids). If using jars, it is a good idea to glue a sample of the beads stored inside to the lid for ease in locating the shapes and colors desired. Be sure to add beading to all of your marketing materials, website and signage in the studio. Show your customers your excitement for this product line and their enthusiasm will follow. Create displays of finished bead projects – necklaces, earrings, key chains, purse pulls and more! Let your imagination run wild!

Markup on bisque beads ranges from 300 – 500% while glass bead markup is slightly greater at 500 – 600%. Studio pricing for bead wire, use of tools and findings (crimp beads, wire, clasps, spacers, etc.) varies from charging the standard studio fee to charging only a supplies/finishing fee. For example, if you typically charge a $6 per hour studio fee, you may wish to keep that rate and include the bead wire, use of tools, crimps and other accessories in that price. Conversely, other studios charge a flat rate of $5 - $7 for two projects worth of tools and accessories. Beads are almost always sold individually; however, some studios charge by the gram, ounce or scoop for either less expensive or higher end beads.

Beads with a Twist

Combining bisque beads with glass beads is certainly the most popular trend in studios today. A large bisque bead is painted with glazes or a crystal-type glaze is great as a focal piece. Keep it simple with a strand of seed beads or go elaborate and chunky with colorful beads, wire and charm-style beads. One of the best things about beads is that there are limitless possibilities. Your customers will surprise you and you may just surprise yourself!

In addition, mixing bead with functional (platters, pitchers, mugs) or decorative (picture frames, vases, plaques) is great fun for children and adults. Mixing mediums creates depth and a unique twist on the basic bisque shape. Drill holes in the rim of a platter or serving bowl and thread beads and colorful wire through to create a festive piece such as a centerpiece or clock.

Have Fun!

No matter what style you choose, beads are a hot item for most studios. Customers enjoy the variety and the expanded creative options that beads offer. Build projects and events around beads for a fun and friendly way to increase sales while keeping up with the hot beading trends.

For more information on beading or adding beads into your studio, feel free to contact Crista Toler at Bisque Imports – crista@bisqueimports.com or 888-568-5991.

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