Fine Jewelry's Loss Is Craft Beaders Gain

If you were planning on starting your own retail jewelry mega-chain, it might be wise to reconsider. Sales of fine jewelry are off 34% compared to a year ago, and even diamond giant DeBeers is getting a little uneasy. The entire precious stone industry has taken a huge hit recently, but their loss is the independent crafters gain. Craft jewelry, once relegated to the jewelry boxes of girl scouts with crafts badges, is more popular than ever thanks to online sales at sites like Etsy, Amazon and eBay. According to a recent New York Times article about the craft boom, "On eBay, people bought 13,137 handmade crafts over the last 60 days for an average price of $8.21, and sales of handmade crafts climbed 34%, the company said."

Jewelry crafters with a compulsion to stay on top of fashion trends and a dedication to thrift might feel more inclined to create their own versions of contemporary designs, others may use their crafting hobby as a means of supplementing their income. 
"My friends see the earrings I'm wearing and place orders with me to create more for them" says Lydia Ramos, from the Beadaholique shipping department.  No matter what your reasons, odds are someone is out there looking to buy a piece of your imagination.
Who wouldn't want to make a few extra bucks doing something they love?