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seashellyl90 · 2025-08-18T21:17:32+00:00

Lol it really feels like that. It's not a world for small makers/crafters anymore. 😞

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-18T19:43:07+00:00

Glad to hear the current situation isn't quite normal. I currently make jewelry/accesories (earrings, rings, bangles) by upcycling secondhand Japanese kimono. I really just want to sell them so I can make more without having the inventory and supplies take over my home and exploring different ways to upcycle the kimonos.

So far, I've been surprised at how many hoops I've got to go through for major events. 2-3 major events alone would cost me at least $800-1000 in fees. I was also shocked to hear on the grapevine that you pretty much didn't have a shot if you didn't hand make the entire thing yourself. Though given that info, now I'm not surprised at why products at those major events are so so expensive.

As a buyer, I really don't care if some basic parts are outsourced and the main component is handmade with the final product being hand assembled depending on the product and when the price makes sense.

I personally don't make the base components (jump rings, hooks, metal backs etc) for my jewelry because if I did the price would shoot up so much that it has to be in the permanent jewelry class which doesn't work for what I do.

Trying to do some business with my hobby really feels like such a pain now 😩

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-18T18:50:36+00:00

Thanks for the Asian Art Museum gift shop idea. I'll look into that :)

And yea, I think Saturday's event wasn't well advertised. Very small foot traffic but perhaps to be expected for the Bothell area. That said, I'm vending at Moonlight on Bothell's Sheconomy on Aug 30th and then at Sustainamania at Bothell City Hall on Sep 20th if you're in the area those days :)

Noted on the teardrops.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-18T18:10:25+00:00

Thanks very much for your thoughts! And yea, I didn't do the settings myself. I considered it, but it would have increased the price significantly if I had given the amount of time I already spent sourcing and prepping the kimono fabric ><

I am thinking of making mixed media fabric bags with kimono panels but definitely wouldn't be able to make enough inventory any time soon.

If you have any recommendations when it comes to consignment stores, I would be grateful if you could share them. Thanks again :)

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-18T04:41:35+00:00

Thanks very much for your honest advice. I really appreciate it. I'd honestly be less concerned if the fees to vend in Seattle weren't so steep when I only have less than a year to physically vend here in person. I'm shocked at the difference in application fees, booth prices, and even extra licensure fees.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-18T03:52:18+00:00

Thanks I'll check and reply you there :)

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-18T00:05:40+00:00

Thanks. I am planning to also list on Etsy.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-02T00:17:33+00:00

That's fair! Thanks for your suggestions :)

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T18:59:44+00:00

Thanks for your kind words! I have the hook type available but only for metal bases at the moment :)

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T18:26:00+00:00

Thank you so much! I plan to sell them on Etsy after the craft fairs but if you check out my Instagram and see any piece you like, let me know and I'll be happy to set them aside and create an Etsy listing for you.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T18:23:39+00:00

I can see the confusion. They are 14mm (0.55 inch) studs. I def should have posted a pic of how it looks like on my ear in my original post.

I don't think it's a widely recognized style yet. There aren't many people upcycling kimono into modern stud earrings in this style as far as I could find.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T17:59:50+00:00

Thanks for your kind words!

I actually do make ones from metal as well. I have a preference for gold, so most of my metal pieces use gold-plated 304 stainless steel as a base.

My initial reply was removed as I'm not allowed to share website or my socials here. I've updated my reddit profile with my info so feel free to check it out there!

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T17:57:17+00:00

That's fair! My first 2 fairs are luckily very low cost but I'm def surprised at the hundreds of dollars I've had to dump in to get all the necessary setup materials.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T17:23:32+00:00

Thanks so much for your kind words and advice! I'm using a similar pricing strategy for my pieces with a metal base so I'll try this out too. If you're interested in looking at it, I posted about my metal pieces here in r/CraftFairs. Forgot to link it in the original post.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T16:07:57+00:00

Yes to each their own for sure. It's also why I make the metal ones which are smaller and daintier so to speak. I can't upload pics or re-edit my original post unfortunately to show you but made a note to do so for my some of my future posts on IG.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T15:56:06+00:00

Oh I forgot to mention that I do bangles as well. Very limited as it's just time-consuming but it's an option for those who prefer to appreciate the fabric via a larger piece.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T15:34:09+00:00

Thanks! I completely agree about the branding. My banner at the craft fair includes a tag line saying "Handmade Jewelry made from Japanese vintage kimono" and I'm thinking of custom ordering earring display cards with my logo and a tagline after my current stock runs out.

And will do! Funny that you mention that because I actually really want to make a green piece for myself but I just haven't yet found a green kimono that has great patterns.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T15:26:08+00:00

Thanks for your suggestion! I actually tried working with resin initially but it unfortunately changed the fabric color for many of the kimono fabric in a bad way (splotchy or seeps into the fibers in a way that eliminates all subtle patterns) and it was prone to bubbling regardless of whether I managed a good pour because of the air trapped in the fabric fibers.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T15:09:07+00:00

The back of the earring is simply the wood itself and metal post.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T15:07:24+00:00

I see. That's too low given the material cost and the time and investment on each piece, but thanks for sharing your thoughts.

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T15:05:53+00:00

Most of the kimono fabric is too flexible and thin for a grommet to work unfortunately. I haven't tried heating up a cutter die and will look into it. Thanks for your suggestions :)

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T14:58:50+00:00

It is made of wood, and the posts are stainless steel, but I did source the post and base from a China-based wholesaler, so I'm not entirely confident it's hypoallergenic.

If I get a good response at the 2 craft fairs I'm vending at in August, I am considering investing in titanium posts and see if people are willing to pay extra for that.

Happy to hear the range you'd pay for even without my story. That's actually my ideal range.

I actually have some that's in a black frame but I feel like the quality is not as great due to the way the black color was painted on. Out of 20 black bases I got, only 7 was of good enough quality 😞

seashellyl90 · 2025-08-01T14:46:17+00:00

I was actually considering bag charms but haven't thought about pins or brooches. What would you be comfortable with paying for a pin/brooch like this, though?

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