My First Official Bag Charm

What do you think?






I have never done these before and wanted to have a go, thanks to Carol mentioning it

I already had a horrid charm necklace that I bought last year to cannabalise to make stuff with, so I made 4 out of that. But decided to set to and have a go at making from scratch. I even managed to sort of make some headpins, though I've no idea really how to do them. I just flattened the end and bent it a bit so the bead is stuck in place. I even managed to do the loops fairly well too. I made a charm from wire, wrapping and looping and then added some beads.

Only thing I will say is that I have not got any clips or ring things, so I have added a clasp and a jump ring further down the chain so it can be looped round a handle and clip that way.

I really like this, may just have to keep for myself

It looks excellent, and I think you should keep it. Don't give your
first work away, you'll regret it. Will be interesting to watch how
you go on.

I am doing hehe, already claimed it and made another instead. I really like this.

Nowt wrong with that for your first attempt hun! Very pretty. They do get quite addictive though, so look out hehehe

I remember my 1st one i ever made, i kept for myself too, good job to cos it broke the 2nd day of being on my bag lmao. Didnt think about the strength of chain i had used wasnt strong enough to withstand my bag being chucked around Still live and learn eh? hehe.

Make some more and post more pics lol. Im nosey and wanna see more

Keep up the good work.

Carol XXX

Nice one, Karin. A great start, it's lovely.

Very pretty Karin

BUT....do you think theres enough on the chain. I'm worrying needlessly no doubt, but it looks lovely on my bag for me, but I know that some people like them chunky.

karinlouise wrote:BUT....do you think theres enough on the chain. I'm worrying needlessly no doubt, but it looks lovely on my bag for me, but I know that some people like them chunky.

That's a matter of personal preference. As you say, some like them small, some chunky.
If you were going to sell them, you'd need a selection of each. Personally, I wouldn't
want big and chunky.

thanks steph. I have added one or two smaller beads to the ones I've made and they don't look over the top. But I am going to offer to make these as commissions and that they can choose how many beads go on. If I say something like 30p a bead then add on the links/chain cost it should cover it all. The first two I made only had 6 beads/wire on them. So with chain and clasps etc I thought £2.50 for them on this occasion. But I think I may have to up the price but don't want to overprice myself. Most of the beads I am using are from packs or pick/mix that I have bought.

I can't make up my mind what to do about pricing. Carol gave me some very good suggestions but the people I know that will come apart from a couple, will expect cheaper priced things. I've seen some bag charms on the net going for £7.99 but no way would they sell for that.

Mind you on this first occasoin I aren't too bothered what I do sell, I suppose I can start high and then can always go low once I realise what they will and won't buy. Not many outlets for stuff to sell round here, car boots etc., but then they want something for nothing.

Don't under proce your work; you'll find it difficult to ever put prices up. If they want something for nothing tell 'em to go shop in a £1 shop! You are selling hand crafted items, not tat!

Scrap Monkey wrote:Don't under proce your work; you'll find it difficult to ever put prices up. If they want something for nothing tell 'em to go shop in a £1 shop! You are selling hand crafted items, not tat!

DITTO!!!!!

Looks lovely, very chic colour too.

Great for a first attempt, Karin! Hope you do well with making and selling them and, as everyone else has said, don't under-sell!

Lynda

Ok sorry.


I'll put higher price on them then. Hehe, think I'll have a noisy about see how much they normally go for.

See i told ya! hehe

Also i have found if you put a cheaper price on some things, they dont sell because the customers think they are not very good if they are cheap (does that make sense?)

I never sell my cheap earrings There is nothing wrong with them, just a few less beads or something, but they always go for the ones that are £4+

You will get your confidence at pricing stuff up, the more you do and the more input from other beaders / crafters helps. I have been told so often that my prices are 'too cheap' for the quality of the stuff i make, and its taken me till now to start putting a decent price on things. You and your time is worth the extra Dont forget it!

((hugs))

Carol XXX

THanks again. Carol those bag charms, and then phone charms are so so cute. I don't want to sell any I want to keep them all !!!!!


I'm going to price the bag charms at £4 I've decided that I think thats prob the limit for these people, and the phone charms which really are only a couple of stones I can sell at £1.50 maybe. Thing is, if it doesn't sell I'm not bothered I'll know for next time.

I've finished doing the BC now and so next on list tonight is earrings. I bought some clip on backs last month cos one of my ladies only wears clip ons.

I do understand the 'mentality' if thats the right word, of more expensive means better quality in peoples minds.

I've only made so many bracelets, but I have a lot of my own that I can put on the board and say...."this is how much, this is colors etc" but I think I am going to aim to do another party towards easter and make quite a few bits.

Just need to sort packaging now !!

Thanks again everyone, it really really does mean so much that you are all helping me. I panic (Nooo, moi!) all the time that my stuff is not good enough or that I won't have enough or something. But this is just a tester really. I can always do more another time.