Day In The Life Of Running A Sea Glass Jewellery Business With Created By Niki

Niki joins us for another instalment of 'A Day In The Life Of A Jeweller'! Sharing a typical day of running a small handmade jewellery business alongside a full-time job.

With a day off work, Niki shares her day focused around a day of making sea glass jewellery and preparing orders. With a peek into her process of drilling sea glass and creating necklaces using our popular sea glass bails! Niki also shares an insight into the tools and supplies she uses, how she photographs her jewellery as well as packaging them up to send off to her customers through her Etsy shop.

We also chat to Niki about her beautiful sea glass jewellery, how her jewellery making journey began and launching an Etsy business below.

Watch Niki's Day In The Life Of A Jeweller

Niki's Top Kernowcraft Products

Leaf bail, epoxy glue & chains - everything I need to create a perfect necklace!

Glue On Bails

Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy Glue

Necklet Chains

Discover How To Drill Sea Glass & Shop The Tools You Need

In Niki's Day In The Life video, she shares an insight into drilling sea glass. Watch our tutorial below with detailed instructions and visit our advice page for further guidance, top tips and list of tools and supplies needed.

Shop Sea Glass Necklace Tool Kit

We've put together a tool kit that contains our recommended tools and supplies needed to make your own drilled sea glass necklace.

This includes our popular Dremel Multi Tool, multi chuck, diamond coated drill bits, pliers and findings needed to complete the design.

Get to know Niki & discover how her jewellery making journey started

Hi Niki, tell us how your love for sea glass started!

I started collecting seaglass as something therapeutic to do when I visited the beach, it became increasingly more of a hobby and soon I had to work out what to do with the jars of seaglass dotted around the house!

Where did you find the inspiration to start creating jewellery using your sea glass finds?

I did a lookbook with Kernowcraft and began to discuss how to make jewellery, I loved their inspirations and guides on how to use products and tools - I’ve also been lucky to receive some incredible jewellery from Cornish artists which made me fall in love with the jewellery making process and being able to give people a piece of a Cornwall

Kernowcraft's Lookbooks featuring Niki, showcases a range of beautiful handmade jewellery with links to the kits so you can recreate them for yourself. They are all simple designs, making them perfect for beginners

Tell us about your business Created By Niki!

I set up CreatedbyNiki during lockdown in November to keep me entertained alongside my full-time role. I create sterling silver necklaces and earrings and use eco-friendly packaging where I can go provide people with a Cornish gift for themselves or a loved one.

Do you have any beachcombing tips you can share?

Shingle beaches on the south coast, I wear sunglasses to help me see bits easier and so that my eyes don’t get watery! Go at low tide as the sea has just gone out and will unveil beautiful seaglass!

Would you recommend Etsy as a platform for selling your jewellery?

I would - it’s got a great helper community and is a really easy and straightforward platform to upload items! I use Etsy to search for lots of products so I’m sure my jewellery gets out there too.

Are there any other jewellery making techniques you'd like to try in the future?

I’m open to trying anything - but right now I love my simplistic but quality designs!

Why do you think sea glass jewellery is so popular right now?

It’s not to be able to collected treasure from the beach without a cost - if anything it could be seen as recycling! I love naturally shaped, beautiful pieces of seaglass that’s been recycled from the sea - and I think a lot of other people do too! It’s just beautiful!

What does a day in the life look like for you?

I work 8-4pm managing an ESF funded project - after coming home, I either go to the beach, a woodland walk, a swim in the river or maybe just scroll on my phone… it’s completely dependant! I love to cook too so my evenings are usually a time to cook and eat good, healthy meals!

What are your top tips for running a handmade business while working full time?

Doing it on the side has allowed me to enjoy it and not see it as a job - I created and package items when I’m feeling motivated, not because I have to! One of my main tips is to get your packaging prepared, cut up, ready to pack, that way items are quick to package up!

What's one thing you wish you knew before selling your creations?

It’s time consuming and easy to think negatively about your work until someone tells you otherwise. Respect yourself, your time and don’t be afraid to set the rules and boundaries!

created by niki sea glass necklace on crystal

We love your photography, can you tell us more about your set up and any tips?

I use a Canon 80D but iPhones are also brilliant! A white or plain background is important, make sure your item is in focus and central - I use a large crystal to display my items as it brings out the colour and looks lovely on white / pink background.

What's your favourite way to market your business?

I use Instagram (createdbyniki) and have also just set up a Facebook page too. I mainly post on these, my personal account (vlogsbyniki) and also on Etsy.

Favourite Cornish beach and why?

Gwithian! No seaglass but is truly mesmerising - 3 miles of golden sand never gets old!

What's your favourite part of running a small handmade business?

The community of small business owners are so supportive and friendly - everyone knows how hard it is, so often support eachother! The feedback is also so good to receive!

Follow Niki

Etsy | Instagram

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?