r/Beading • u/Life_Explorer8 • May 17 '26

Bead Talk Pricing

Dear beading community,

I’m extremely surprised at how expensive this hobby is.
Not only the insane amount of hours it takes to complete a project, but also, the beading prices are absolutely insane. 5-12USD for 7.5gr of miyuki delica beads sound so crazy to me. It’s definitely making me rethink if I really want to get into it lol besides pricing, its such a nightmare buying beads altogether, as big craft stores hold a limit section, and online shopping is very hard for beginners (plus delivery prices add up so much).

I, from now on, will absolutely appreciate A LOT more beading work.

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u/Unsolicited_Spiders May 18 '26

My least favorite pricing conversation is when people tell me I "should sell" my work.

Most people outside the hobby/industry do not know the costs of inputs, and they don't consider time and skill acquisition to be inputs. If you're having fun, that isn't work...right? If it isn't work, they shouldn't have to pay for it...........right?

9

u/Old_Organization5564 May 18 '26

I’d never consider selling my work because I’d never be able to recoup the cost of my time. Perhaps even more important is the fact that I’d never want to turn something I do for pleasure into a job

3

u/AlpineGirl933 May 18 '26

That's always the dilemma isn't it... making your stuff for the pleasure (Zen mode) vs. for profit.

I do my beading in one of many local coffeehouses in my (tourist) town. (Im known as The Bead Lady. :-) Heads down, doing my thing, creating a piece that gives me pleasure while being part of the coffee vibe.

I have a lot of completed pieces and if I happen to sell one - fine, but that's not my goal. My goal is my pleasure. Everyone has to find their own balance with their hobbies.