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My Jewelry Side Hustle That Makes a Full-Time Income – How an accident turned something from a hobby into a passion that was making a full-time income through a side-hustle.
I believe every person should have a side hustle. I’ve had my side hustle for over 10 years, and I just never really knew to call it that. I’ve said things like, “I make jewelry and sometimes sell it” or “I make things and sell them.”
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Ever since I was young, I’ve always been a crafty girl.
After car accident about 11 years ago, I was left with a few broken bones or two in my thumb. After about 12 weeks of hand therapy (I didn’t know that was even a thing) and learning how to write all over again with my right hand, my doctor suggested that I learn to knit or something working with small pieces like beading.
Of course, I looked at him like he was crazy!! I’m never going to knit was my exact thought (even though I have tried).
So, after about 2-3 months of not doing anything, my hand starting hurting again. I decided to at least attempt this jewelry making thing. So, I bought a book, some beads, and string and a plier or two. I had no idea what I was doing, and in fact, I skimped on buying everything I really needed. In my eyes at the time, it was just therapy.
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But in the first bracelet… something changed in my mind.
I hated it. It looked downright tacky and was awkward to even put on. I was ready to quit again… but something told me to keep trying.
I bought the right tools and I remade the bracelet. Just one bracelet. That was my goal. One little bracelet that didn’t look like a macaroni bracelet made by a toddler.
I did it! I still didn’t love it, but I was proud of it nonetheless!
That led to me making several other bracelets and then necklaces. Eventually, I had more than I could wear and my mom starting wanting to wear them.
Fast forward almost 2 years later of just making random bracelets and necklaces here and there when my hand hurt, I got married. And as gifts to my bridesmaids, I made all of their jewelry. A full set including a necklace, bracelet, and earrings. I sourced the best materials I could find. And they absolutely loved them. And even better, when they discovered I actually made them, they became keepsakes.
This led to doing a few more bridal party jewelry sets for friends, and shortly after a few co-workers who had caught onto the story asked me to bring in some of my wares for them to see at work.
I brought my handmade jewelry in scared to death
To my surprise, they wanted to buy them! I had no idea what to price them at but we came up with a price of what seemed fair and reasonable. After that, I was encouraged to sell my jewelry and the confidence to continue making items to sell.
That was when I knew that I needed a website for my side hustle. Since I am not a techie person at all, I was so glad that I could just go to GoDaddy and get my site up and running easily and quickly. Within less than an hour, I had my own, professional website that I could actually use to sell my jewelry online.
I sell my jewelry and other handmade gifts to friends, family, boutique shops in my local town and through craft shows. I also sell on deal sites and even have done a few wholesale sales through Zulily.
What started out as car accident trauma ended up to be a great blessing.
I haven’t quite transitioned in full time as I have 3 kids in those last five years including a set of twins. But, I’ve seen the opportunities that are out there, and if you are willing to do the work it can certainly be something beyond what you expect.
My jewelry making crafty shop has made thousands in sales over the years. It filled the gaps when we needed it to for our family. Its paid for vacations, extra goodies, and sometimes been the saver on a forgotten or unexpected expense.
The day the accident occurred, I was just a twenty-something who thought I knew who I was, a girl that was college educated, finding her way in the world who could operate a glue gun if need be.
Yet, it was the accident and the effects of it that really unlocked my creative crafty side that gave me the insight to work and be part of a creative world. Not just in my local area but worldwide through online channels as well.
I have been published in jewelry making magazines such as Stringing and Beads. I submitted my designs and they published them. At home, I have taught jewelry-making classes locally. I have even posted how to tutorials on my blog to share and teach others to do the same.
Looking forward to the future.
Now, all I want to do is be that girl who creates special keepsakes for others and shares them with the world, and through my blog Crafting A Beautiful Life teaches others to do the same. I hope I’ve inspired you to do the same.
Maybe you don’t make jewelry, but you make awesome wreaths or kids clothes. Whatever it is, I challenge you to explore that talent deep inside and share with others. Your God-given talents might just take you places you never even dreamed of going.
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Layne is a crafty girl, jewelry maker, embroiderer, planner addict, and runner-ish girl from the blog Crafting A Beautiful Life. She loves to share her life’s crazy, fun and beautiful moments while also running her online boutique, The Dashing Pearl.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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