Many of handmade jewelry makers work around the clock putting together unique jewelry pieces and buying jewelry supplies for that new necklace or pair of earrings. Making jewelry is a fun hobby and it can be very rewarding, but it can also sap your creativity if you’re making a lot of unique jewelry designs and then spending lots of time putting together the supplies for each piece repeatedly. One unique way to avoid that jewelry making burn out while still using your jewelry design skills is to begin to repair jewelry on the side!

Fixing jewelry requires a different approach to purchasing jewelry supplies because you’ll need to have a wide variety of connectors, pendants and stringing materials available. You’ll also want think about using a good jewelry database program to track what jewelry supplies you have on hand, what you’ll need to buy soon and where you can get them for the best price. Repairing existing jewelry uses your jewelry making talents and will usually give you some fun challenges. Instead of making a bracelet from your own ideas, you generally need to take someone else’s jewelry pattern and find pieces to replace lost or broken jewelry pieces that either match the rest of the jewelry piece or at least compliment it. Here are some other tricks to remember when you start fixing jewelry for customers:

Don’t be afraid to get a little creative, especially if you want to add in missing beads, but check with the customer first. Some people demand that their jewelry to be fixed to the exact specifications it had before, some do not mind minor bead or clasp modifications.

Watch out for structural aging in old jewelry pieces. Even if a connector isn’t broken, you may want to recommend replacing it before it does fall apart.

Remember to price yourself in line with the going rates. Many times you’ll be fixing a piece of jewelry that holds a sentimental meaning or is particularly liked by your customer. You are providing a service of not just fixing a piece of jewelry, but often you’re helping restore a memory or feeling!

Don’t forget to have fun with it! Both repairing handmade jewelry and making your own jewelry are creative ways to make some extra money, but it’s up to you to find the proper balance to keep you happy and profitable at the same time. And really, you can generally charge just as much to repair a piece of jewelry as you would to make it. But since are often working with existing jewelry materials repairing a piece of jewelry can be much more profitable.

Making custom made jewelry is a great way to bring in some extra cash on the side. Many retirees have started second careers with their own jewelry and some have had great financial success!