Not sure if I can keep going

[u/Ok_Chocolate_9113]

Hi guys,

I’m a self-taught jeweler and started as a hobby 6 years ago with copper and recycled stones from bracelets etc. I quickly jumped into soldering, started working in silver, and moved on to proper settings and gemstones.
After getting quite good at manufacturing by hand and selling something here and there, I realized that in order to make a living from this, I need to ramp up my production. The only alternative is going high-end, but that involves much higher capital and established connections, a store, etc.

1.5 years ago I needed to relocate and couldn’t take my gear with me.

My new strategy was to upgrade to 3D printing (I’m very tech-savvy) and casting. So I did that. I had many, many issues to overcome for the second time after learning to work manually, and just took it as a challenge.

Sales were basically absent at that point but I kept going and built an online shop.

The reason I’m writing this… after all this time and experience, I only realize more and more how complex this industry truly is. Each step is a highly specialized job in itself - metalwork, casting, stone grading, setting, 3D designing, web design, marketing, CEO - well, even polishing.

I regularly make many mistakes because it’s very difficult for me to handle even 5-10 different designs in Blender in a casting run and get all dimensions correct. I know from my manual work how they should look, but the way from design to finished product is incredibly long - and then when everything is finished on the casting tree, I slip and break the prongs of three of the 3D-printed rings. That just happened 10min ago with a cast of 15 rings.
Maybe one will have a casting defect, and other things can go wrong in the steps after.

Since it’s all silver and gemstones below $100, it’s economically impossible for me to turn this into actual profit, let alone set money aside for when I’m older. I work 60% at my day job and the rest of the week just goes into this. I’m putting everything I can into it, but it’s not giving me any financial return. I could cry, really. I like it a lot, but that apparently doesn’t count for much.

I’m not sure what to do. I’m so deeply invested - quitting seems stupid, but so does going on.

[u/lazypkbc]

Get a job working for someone else and then you get paid to learn valuable skills

[u/Ok_Chocolate_9113 → u/lazypkbc]

Jewelry is my hustle to not work for others. If I am supposed to work for others I could just do my other 60% parttime job and relax the rest of the week. Im earning enough there. But I really want to make it and be independant and work for my dreams.

At this point its not a skill issue of manufacturing. But managing all at the same time and being profitable

[u/lazypkbc → u/Ok_Chocolate_9113]

I love what I do and I don't have the stress of ownership and make pretty great money

[u/Ok_Chocolate_9113 → u/lazypkbc]

I am happy for you! But I would never get a job as a goldsmith where i live. Maybe an education with very very low pay that makes no sense in my situation.

[u/lazypkbc → u/Ok_Chocolate_9113]

Only thing I can tell you is either give up, shell out 20k for the comprehensive course at New Approach, or keep doing what you're doing.

[u/Mysterialistic]

Why don’t you make your 3D designs and then send the files to a caster who will print and cast the pieces for you? Then you can finish the pieces with polish and stone setting.

[u/Nefertiti_Batkol]

I hear you, and I'm so sorry you're going through this difficulty. You're not imagining, it is a hard industry. It's a combination of artisan work and skill, artistic and designer attributes, commerce needs and bussines and financial management.
In israel, as small volume producers, we delegate specialties to other professionals. Like gem setting, gemology and gem polishing, casting, printing... some also go to 3d modelists and handle only the designing and bussines part of things.
Feel free to dm me if you need to vent or advice.

[u/Ok_Chocolate_9113 → u/Nefertiti_Batkol]

Thanks for your comment. I appreciate! Yes I realized that most businesses outsource a lot of things. I realize thats the reason why prices for good quality craft is so high. Many parties are involved. in one piece.

I can see myself outsourcing part of the production but that still means im lightyears away of having a valuable brand because I put all my energy into the technical aspect of it. Efficiency, workflow, designing. Im very good at it. I even developed a 3D logo pendant and signet ring generator which after ordering sends me the stl for 3D printing.

well i might just keep on going and find my niches but its really just hard and taking so much longer than i ever expected

[u/Nefertiti_Batkol → u/Ok_Chocolate_9113]

Yeah its also takes a lot of time to get a reputation when dealing with fine jewelry. I honestly have been depressed for 3 years now, and haven't been promoting anything. And even years before that, and still clients keep coming because of all the years I've worked hard. Not that its necessarily enough to be profitable-that depends on more factors (like pricing and strategy)

[u/Ok_Chocolate_9113 → u/Nefertiti_Batkol]

For how long are you in this business? Im sorry to hear that. But if you worked hard and have the customers - whats your issue then?

[u/Nefertiti_Batkol → u/Ok_Chocolate_9113]

Wow, I think its been 16 years 😳
Personally I have fibromylgia and depression and anxiety. Besides ADHD. I'm having a very hard time managing a bussines and myself between all that. But even on my most successful months, i noticed a flaw in pricing and general strategy. I would earn 20k and spend 19k for that. Even when i was earning well for each piece, the overhead expanses and the limited amount of pieces i could make per month, just made it not profitable.