Handmade

Handmade jewellery and beadwork

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

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

To startR100 to R1 000
First randabout 4 weeks
WhereOnline or in person
Effort Easy to start

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

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

In South Africa: Good in every province; strong in tourist areas.

What you need

A phone is enough to start
Works on everyday data
No camera needed
No cold selling
At least 4 hours a week · age 16+
Sewing, crafts or handmade (competent or better)

The money

What it can earn

Pocket money
A top-up
A second income
Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R85 to R130 per pair of earrings

Published prices for handmade Zulu beadwork earrings: about R85 to R130 (Woza Moya); wholesale-style from R43.50 excl. VAT (Africa Smiles). Sales volumes are not published.

Costs to plan for

Start-up: R100 to R1 000
Every month: Beads, wire, findings (hooks, clasps), display cards and packaging.
Payment fees: Cash, EFT, Yoco 2.30%; Bob Shop 8.75% excl. VAT (Jewellery & Watches); AYA Africa 20%; shops on consignment often keep a share.
Margin: High on materials; time and market fees are the real costs.

How it is paid: Price per piece; sets and bridal orders lift the value per sale; consignment with shops. Our viability score for it: 55 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

1
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Make ten pieces in two or three designs
- Show them to ten people and ask which they would buy and for how much
- Success signal: half sold at a market or to friends within a month
2
First week Days 1 to 7
- Pick one style you do best
- Cost one piece with your pricing worksheet
- Photograph pieces on a plain background in daylight
3
First month Days 8 to 30
- Book one market day or a meeting with a gift shop
- Set up a WhatsApp catalogue with prices
4
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Offer bridal or event orders
- Keep the designs that sell fastest

Small pieces can sell quickly at a market or to friends. First income usually takes 7 to 90 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

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

18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Gift buyers, tourists, people wanting statement or cultural pieces, bridal parties.

Affordable, distinctive accessories and meaningful gifts.

Is there demand?

Handmade Zulu beadwork earrings sell at about R85 to R130 (Woza Moya) and from R43.50 excl. VAT at wholesale-style sellers (Africa Smiles). Glass seed beads cost from about R6 to R38 per pack locally, so materials are cheap.

Markets and tourist spotsInstagramGift shops on consignmentBob ShopAYA Africa

Getting customers

Markets, Instagram reels of pieces being made, gift shops and wedding orders.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesIn-person networkingListing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!)Responding to enquiriesPartnerships with other businesses

Risks and rules

Watch out for

Cheap imports undercut generic designs
Consignment shops that pay late: agree terms in writing
Respect cultural meanings of colours and patterns, and do not copy other makers' designs

Competition: High: many makers and cheap imports. Original designs and good photos matter.

Room to grow: Low to moderate; repeatable designs and shop orders help.

Legal and tax in South Africa

Describe materials honestly (for example "glass beads", "silver-plated"): the Consumer Protection Act bans misleading descriptions.
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every sale and every material you buy (materials are a business cost).
Check your municipality's home-business rules if customers come to your home.
If you are 16 or 17, you need a parent's or guardian's OK, and an adult should look after payments and any accounts.
Never work during school hours.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start handmade jewellery and beadwork in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R100 to R1 000. Recurring costs: Beads, wire, findings (hooks, clasps), display cards and packaging.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 30 days, and between 7 and 90 days. Small pieces can sell quickly at a market or to friends.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Describe materials honestly (for example "glass beads", "silver-plated"): the Consumer Protection Act bans misleading descriptions. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every sale and every material you buy (materials are a business cost). Check your municipality's home-business rules if customers come to your home. If you are 16 or 17, you need a parent's or guardian's OK, and an adult should look after payments and any accounts. Never work during school hours.

Sources (6)

Woza Moya: Zulu beaded disc earrings (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Africa Smiles: beaded earrings (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Beads South Africa: crafting materials (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Bob Shop: selling fees (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
AYA Africa: sell on AYA (vendors) (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Yoco: card machine transaction fees (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)

Free tools for this

Test handmade jewellery and beadwork with your own numbers Estimate the tax on this side income

Not sure this is the one?

The free test ranks every option against your skills, time and budget.

Take the free test