Beads

The people like their beads

Yep. People like their beads. And, depending on the bead shop, they often sell gemstones and other useful trade items used in jewelry making. Which isn't to say that there aren't a lot of dumb bead shops out there that just sell plastic. I know this cos I'm married to someone who makes jewelry as a hobby - which means I've seen my fair share of bead shops.

I guess I can understand the margins on spendier craft supplies (e.g., gemstones, metals) but given the costs of rent, labor, and utilities, I just can't imagine how these places stay in the black (or do they?).

Between high-margin but very low-volume craft tools, and low-margin but high(er)-volume items like beads, I just can't imagine how the numbers would work.
--D

I think it's just like any other supply chain. If you, the middle man, charge too much, you'll go under. We've seen two or three bead stores go under mainly because they charged too much compared to 1) what the product was worth and 2) what it was reasonable to pay retail for at your favorite local beading store. Markup is considerable - a lot of the successful bead store owners make frequent trips to India and such to purchase beads and gemstones on the cheap and then import them and sell them at a price that works out for them.

So, Rob, what you are saying is that I should take up beading to give Dan some perspecitive?

No need for perspective here. Please move along.

Exactly, Layla. That's what I was saying! Muhahahaha! Or I could just point him to Katya's website and he could see fer himself. :o)