Contract Work - outsourcing??

[Russ Nobbs]

Hi!

I guess you can't just post signs around town like:

 "Make Money with Beads
      WORK FROM HOME"

because there are a bunch of scams that start that way that want you to pay $$ for a starter kit but never develop any business.  But you might be able to post signs in local bead stores saying "Bead Stringers Wanted". Or run ads in college newspapers. You might be able to use a sheltered workshop to produce the designs. Many social service agencies contract out the work of "less abled" workers. You could start by contacting a Goodwill store.

There are some grey legal areas to consider. Having people do piece work at home for you to product jewelry or clothing may be in violation of some labor laws. One fiber artist got in trouble for paying weavers piecework wages for producing her work at home. If I remember right, she could pay an hourly wage but not pay by the piece. There are also concerns about loss. Do you weigh your beads out and weigh the finished product back in?

Anyone reading these forums that uses "home workers" to produce your product? Please jump in.

[Luann Udell]

Whoops!  I forgot to add that Russ is absolutely right about the restrictions for piecework for *fiber*, but I don't believe there is any such restriction for other kinds of handwork.  I think this is because, historically, there is a history of such prescriptions regarding the fiber industry (and I *think* it sprung from the knitting industry originally).  But it would be well worth your time to contact a lawyer who can give you better information on this.
Luann

[cperry]

Hello
I am getting to the point in my beading/jewerly side business that I need to hire workers to string necklaces for large wholesale orders.  This is not a full time thing - but a contract hire when needed.  I don't even know where to begin looking for people? How do I find them?

[Luann Udell]

I've seen this topic come up on other craft business forums from time to time.   The key seems to be to trial and error til you find a small core of reliable people that like to work this way, and to be flexible because everything can change in a heartbeat.

Some suggestions I've seen have been students in arts & crafts programs at local schools or organizations (like a local craft guild), retired people, and at-home mothers who would like a little handiwork and some extra cash, but who can't commit to a full-time job.  

Some people had good results from posting a notice at public places like supermarkets, libraries, craft stores (in your case, perhaps a local bead store?)  Others swore by word-of-mouth--get the word out to all friends and acquantances that you are looking for people to do this (including that bead store owner!)

I was intrigued that, in all the discussions on this topic, there was only one common element--it's really, really hard to find good (that is, reliable) people, and when you do, you can lose them any time.  They move away, they need more $$ and a "regular" job, they start their own craft business, they get bored.  So however you recruit, be prepared to do it all over again at the drop of a hat.  If you do find a core group, thank your lucky stars and enjoy it while it lasts!  :^)

Most people agreed that piecework payment was best (paying by the amount of work or number of pieces completed) rather than an hourly wage, but to constantly check on quality.  

Everyone stressed the importance of being very clear what was involved, although they also moaned that employees hear what they want to hear.  Invariably, an applicant who swore they would love to do repetitive tasks such as stringing, painting, or whatever, would later complain that they were bored and wanted to do something more interesting.

Again, this is passing on what I've read, not personal experience.  We have a severe labor shortage in my area, so I decided from the onset of my business not to create a model that depended on outset labor.
Hope this helps,
Luann

[Beadinglady]

CPerry,
I hate to be forward but I would love to help you out. I am a beader myself. If you are interested please e-mail me and we can discuss further.
Beading Lady

(Edited by Beadinglady at 8:50 am on April 23, 2004)

[Polly]

Hi Beadinglady,

I think that's not too forward at all.

Feel free to use this forum as a way to help each other out, with words or more.  

I'm betting that when people are looking for jewelry-making help, they would like it local, but 1) that's not always the case and 2) ...on the internet, you never know who just might be local!

--Polly

[atalanta]

I'm currently working on a bead crochet project - Someone stopped at the bead store I hang out and asked if she knew of anyone who did crochet. I got an email with the contact info, contacted, and now have until the end of July to get 100 7" crocheted bracelets done. It is not convient for us to meet, so weekly she send me a batch of 10 bracelets and soon as I get them done I send them back. It works out that I get the new batch friday and she gets the done batch Saturday. We did meet at the start, half-way (she's near NYC, I'm near Philly) and worked out the details.

An arrangement like this does require trust - she trusts that I'll actually do the bracelets and send them back and I trust that she'll pay me.

[stonzandbonz]

Hi, I represent several jewelry artists.  I am a sales rep and there is one young boy that is an apprentice here at stonzandbonz.  He is quite good and gets his work out quick.  e-mail me at varina@rovin.net and I will get a price list to you.stonzandbonz