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Step-by-step guide

Handmade jewellery and beadwork: your step-by-step start

Make beaded earrings, necklaces and bracelets, or wire and resin jewellery, and sell at markets, online and to gift shops.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • People with good colour sense and steady hands, including those with traditional beadwork skills.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: cheap imports undercut generic designs.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How handmade jewellery and beadwork worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Cost one piece with your pricing worksheet3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Photograph pieces on a plain background in daylight3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Book one market day or a meeting with a gift shop3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Set up a WhatsApp catalogue with prices3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Offer bridal or event orders3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Keep the designs that sell fastest3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R100 to R1 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Pliers set, wire, findings
  • Bead mat and needles
  • Display cards
  • Yoco card machine for markets

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.