Bead making is a creative skill that can turn into a profitable business if you learn and apply the right strategies.
From my experience at the Vocational Skill Training (VST) exhibition at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) this month, I’ve seen firsthand how bead making can generate significant income—up to ₦200,000 monthly.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH BEAD MAKING
At the VST exhibition, I was part of Group Two, which focused on bead making. This program helped us apply what we had learned in class, particularly the business side of entrepreneurship. Each group had to develop a business idea, create a plan, and showcase their products.
Our group chose bead making because it was both creative and marketable. We planned everything from budgeting to production and even selling our products. This hands-on experience gave us insight into what it takes to run a business successfully.
GETTING STARTED WITH BEAD MAKING
We started by researching materials and their prices in the market. Some key materials we needed included:
- Beads (₦300–₦6,000 per strand)
- Fishing lines (₦500 per roll)
- Hooks for necklaces and earrings (₦500 each)
We calculated our total budget and divided the cost among four group members, each contributing ₦3,400.
After purchasing the materials, we got to work, designing and creating bead accessories like hand beads, neckpieces, and earrings.
To ensure smooth communication, we created a group chat where we shared updates and reminders. This helped us stay organized throughout the project.
CHALLENGES WE FACED
Starting a bead-making business isn’t without challenges. Some of the difficulties we faced included:
- Scheduling time to visit the market together
- Disagreements on bead selection
- One member quitting unexpectedly
- Delays in financial contributions
Despite these issues, we managed to complete our work and sell our products successfully at the exhibition.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE ₦200,000 MONTHLY
At the exhibition, we sold bead jewelry worth ₦10,000 in just one day.
This showed us that with consistency and good marketing, bead making can be very profitable.
Here’s how you can achieve a ₦200,000 monthly income:
- Daily Sales – If you sell at least one bead bracelet or jewelry set per day, you can make ₦10,000 daily.
- Weekly Earnings – Selling five days a week (Monday–Friday) means ₦50,000 per week.
- Monthly Target – ₦50,000 per week for four weeks adds up to ₦200,000.
Of course, business isn’t always smooth. There will be slow days, but with persistence and good branding, you can grow.
Set up an Instagram and WhatsApp Business account to showcase your work. You can also offer unique and attractive bead patterns to stand out.
If you’re totally new to beadmaking, this video below will help you get started on the basic knowledge:
Bead making is a flexible and creative skill that doesn’t require heavy equipment like tailoring. You can start small, work from anywhere, and gradually expand.
My experience at the VST exhibition has motivated me to explore bead making further since I’m into fashion and tailoring. So, I will add beadwork to clothes.
I believe anyone willing to put in the effort can succeed too. With the right approach and consistency, bead making can become a lucrative business for you.
