When Making Seasonal Beaded Jewelry You Have To Plan Ahead

It’s just about April, so are you working on your Fourth of July beaded jewelry yet?

Yes, I know it’s still cold and rainy in most parts of the country and summer still seems a long way off, but if you’re going to make enough jewelry for any craft shows and fairs this year, then you need to think in advance! I’ve learned that having a few different “seasonal” beaded pieces on my table is a great way to pull people over to my table at a craft fair.

But making seasonal jewelry obviously takes time, and if you’re like me with a family and a job, time isn’t exactly easy to come by. I remember I was signed up a large indoor craft fair and I thought I was ready about a week before the show. But then I happened to notice that it was a day or two before St. Patrick’s day… and I didn’t have a single piece of beaded jewelry that could be considered Irish.

I remember running out to Rag Shop (they were still around at the time) and picking through their remainder of Irish beads, just so I could make a few green jewelry items or pins for the show. I think I ended up putting together a couple beaded bracelets and some shamrock earrings, but I wasn’t particularly proud of them because I didn’t really put the thought or time into them that I should have.

Of course, those few Irish pieces sold out within the first few hours! I probably could have sold a lot more beaded pieces with a St. Patrick’s theme if I had more. But I learned my lesson that day: If you’re going sell your jewelry at a craft show (or anywhere really) then you have to pay attention to the upcoming holidays!

I don’t make a lot of seasonally themed beaded jewelry, but I do always try to keep a few bracelets, earrings and necklaces on hand that are specifically designed for that season. It still isn’t easy sometimes, so here’s my trick:

Use two calendars! At my beading desk I have a little wall calendar that I only paid about a dollar for. I have that up on my wall, but I have it set for three months ahead! So if it’s April, my wall calendar is turned to July! I have all my craft shows that I plan to attend written on it so I get a sense of exactly when I’ll be working and selling jewelry. All the major holidays are already printed on the calendar, so I can see what’s going on around my show schedule.

And, yes, I do usually know what shows I’m going to work at for the year, or at least a few months in advance. I pay attention to my local papers, but I also subscribe to FairsAndFestivals.net, which is a pretty good resource if you like selling your beaded jewelry at fairs and craft shows. It’s super-affordable, with the profit from one show easily paying for a subscription. They also give you some free tips and tricks for selling your beaded jewelry and have a few other member benefits. Since it’s a business expense, it’s also tax deductible!

By planning ahead you can sometimes even save money on the beads you buy. I just ordered some fireworks charms on clearance online and I bought a few little “American Flag” silver clasps last week for next to nothing! I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do with them, but I do know that come June all those red, white and blue beading supplies will all be on display and marked up to their full price!