Growing a Bead Store

Hi, my name is Tammy Kemp.  Tom is my husband.

I worked in the dental field for 30 years, then became unable to work shortly after launching a handmade jewelry business, in 2012.  I became ill and was actually bedridden for an entire year.  I am no longer able to sit for extended periods of time to make any jewelry.  Plus, I'm really shaky now, which is quite frustrating.

This year, my husband and I heard the beads and components calling out to us, begging to be handled, so he decided to sell my inventory.  I didn't want to give up beads completely, though.  It's very therapeutic for me to run my hands through them!

I also love to try to design new woven bead jewelry, hence the Oh, My Stars! bracelet and the designs that followed.  I do charge for the patterns as a way to help recoup some of the business costs until the shop and website grow a bit more.

So, he's selling my current inventory and purchasing more beads to resell with the proceeds.  Although, the term "Seed Bead" has broadened in its meaning, that will be the focus for building a new inventory.

It’s hilarious to teach him bead names and attributes – it’s a man thing.  But, he’s getting it slowly, with a bit of help from me.  He has big hands too and you should see him measuring out 15/0 beads. 

He renovated one of the rooms in the house to be his "bead store".  He's hoping the store will grow enough to keep him busy when he retires.

It's definitely something to keep my mind busy, researching fashion trends and beads when I feel up to it.

Hopefully, some day I will be able to help him more with the store and we can enjoy working with the customers together.

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4 comments

Hi, I’m Jeannette
I recently took a look at your site and ended up buying some things. You have great prices and a good selection. I just wanted to make a suggestion, It would be great if you have a favorite or wishlist for buying at a later day. Sometimes there are items that are out of stock or you need to buy later and that is a good way to save them for a later day. I apologize if you have that list. I didn’t see it or know how to get to it. Thank you.

Jeannette

I found your website trying to find a bead and I checked it out and ended up buying some things from you. I just have a suggestion, I would love it if you have a favorite or wishlist so you can put the things you like and buy them later. If you already have one, I don’t know how to look for it. Thank you

Jeannette

By the way I love shopping at your store. The orders are always correct. It’s good quality and shipped fast. I will continue to use you for as many of my bead needs as possible. Keep up the good work. Be safe and stay at home!

Tanya

I too was diagnosed with an illness 15 years ago. It is a lot like having bad MS all the time. I got into beads about 6 years ago. I love it. I do have a hard time sometimes so like you I enjoy my beads. I am not real good at making up patterns but I do well using patterns I find on line. I have so many bracelets it’s crazy. I would like to sell them so I could buy more beads, but I really don’t know how to do it. Like you I can’t sit or stand for any period of time and I have a hard time walking. Everyone tells my to go to a flee market but I am not able to anything like that. Could you offer some suggestions? At one time I tried Facebook that was a bust. I am in the hospital about every three months so I take bracelets and give them to the nurses. I love to do that but, that doesn’t get me any more beads. I wish you well. I thank the lord every morning that my feet hit the floor. That I have another day with my grandchildren, my little dogs and my husband. Not to mention my beads.

Tanya

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