Hobby to a Business

by Jim Daniel
(St. Petersburg, FL)

Best site. Most informative
Can you take it from Hobby to a business
Proprietary rights. We pay for the Video and Material. Its your design

Is it best to get started with one of your tutorials and purchase the materials and then progress from there?

Jim D.

Stacy's Answer:

Hi Jim,

I'll try and answer your questions as I understand them.

Can you take it from Hobby to a business?

Many businesses developed from very humble beginnings or grew from hobbies. As relates to a jewelry-based business, there are many venues one can explore. If you're a talented jewelry artist you may be able to make a living selling your art at shows, galleries, shops, retail stores, etc., or exclusively through e-commerce. Both retail and wholesale are options as well as mass-produced items inspired by your designs or selling only 100% hand-made by the artist pieces. Other venues in the jewelry arts are industry-supportive such as tools and supplies, materials, equipment, etc. and education: touring, teaching, videos, e-books, tutorials, books and so on. This is a full-time business for me.

Proprietary rights. We pay for the Video and Material. Its your design

Are you offering your skills/business or asking about the process? I am currently in the process of producing some videos and educational DVD's. I am also exploring on-line classroom teaching as I receive numerous requests for it. I sell my own jewelry on-line and in fine art galleries. I do not sell wholesale jewelry. I have copyrights on many my original designs and all of my written material is copyrighted. I have an Intellectual Property/Copyright lawyer on retainer for this.

Before venturing into jewelry as a business, it makes sense to first learn about said business. That makes good business sense no matter what enterprise one is thinking out undertaking! This helps you find a niche that best suits your expectations, financial situation, skills and knowledge. You are fortunate Jim to live in the St. Pete area as you can take jewelry making classes at a number of venues. The Morean Art Center in downtown St. Pete teaches jewelry, so does Art Center Manatee and I teach at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. There are also quite a few bead stores that teach different types of jewelry making, including wire. I believe that Manatee has an instructor that teaches wire and I also teach wire along with traditional jewelry fabrication using solder. All of the art centers have tools student can use during classes, so no purchase of them is immediately necessary. Spring 2015 sessions start up in 2-3 weeks.

Is it best to get started with one of your tutorials and purchase the materials and then progress from there?

The answer to this question is, no. I think it is best to take a class or course or two and see that the venue you've chosen is a good fit for you before investing in jewelry tools, equipment and supplies. Once you have a starting foundation, you can venture forth from there.