Home Studio Silver Jewellery Maker

Private buyers at craft markets and online, people ordering custom pieces, and gift shoppers looking for handmade work.

Sales of finished pieces and fees for custom work. Prices cover your silver, your time and your overheads. Repeat commissions and referrals build steady income.

• Metalwork: sawing, soldering, filing and polishing
• Design and an eye for detail
• Pricing your time and materials
• Photographing your work

• Home-based business licence or zoning rules: check with your municipality
• Soldering, torches and polishing compounds create fire and fume risks, so plan ventilation and check your home insurance
• Silver prices move, so review your prices regularly
• Sterling marking and quality claims: check Canadian rules on hallmarking and how you may describe silver content
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your tools, silver stock and how you set up your bench. Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on sales channels and pricing.

Check home-based business licence or zoning rules with your municipality. Also check Canadian rules on hallmarking and how you may describe silver content, your home insurance given torch and fume risks, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.

Useful skills include sawing, soldering, filing and polishing, design and an eye for detail, pricing your time and materials, and photographing your work. The idea suggests at least about 8 hours a week.