Everyone makes jewelry for their own reasons. For anyone who’s had trouble explaining to others the joy they get out of making jewelry, we compiled this list of some good reasons to make jewelry. Feel free to spread this list around to help convert others into beaders.
Please comment with the reasons YOU make jewelry. 
1. To relax
2. Because there’s no other way to get something to match that polka-dot skirt
3. Because you found a really cute clasp and need to do SOMETHING with it
4. Because it feels good to finish a piece
5. To give as gifts
6. To increase your hand-eye coordination
7. To keep you sane
8. To pay tribute to your ancestry
9. To trade
10. Because beads are inexpensive and you can find them everywhere (even walmart has a bead section)
11. To impress your friends
12. To spend time with your grandma
13. To be able to make and wear jewelry you see in magazines (without paying retail)
14. Because it feels good to master a skill that very few others have
15. To teach your children something productive
16. To keep your hands busy while you watch Lost
17. To brighten someone’s day
18. Dude, it’s totally an awesome way to meet chicks
19. To talk about with friends
20. So you can make a chainmail hood for your son’s renaissance fair and his friends will think he’s so cool
21. Guitar-pick earrings. Nuff said.
22. Because Martha Stewart says you should
23. To give you and friends an excuse to hang out
24. To make a collection of rare beads
25. To stay productive after retirement
26. To sell in your shop
27. To give yourself a reason to travel
28. To escape for a few minutes
29. Because people have been making jewelry for 10,000 years and why should they stop now
30. To express yourself as an artist
31. To keep the blood flowing in your hands
32. To give you a reason to visit your favorite bead store
33. To practice gemstone healing
34. To show off your favorite gemstones
35. Because its fun to wire wrap random things
36. Because celebrities are wearing beaded jewelry
37. To practice glass-blowing
38. To keep yourself learning
39. Because there are so many beading toys… I mean beading “tools”
40. To duplicate and wear the designs worn by your favorite celebrities
41. To have the most original look
42. To get compliments from random strangers
43. To do something nice with your family
44. Because its a better way to spend time than watching internet videos
45. To save money on jewelry
46. To pass the time
47. To feed your addiction to beads
48. To sell at a fair
49. To finally do something with that old button/pin/shoelace/any small item you’ve been saving
50. To do something out of the ordinary
51. Because you think silver is magical
52. To stop paying for mass-produced, overpriced jewelry from overseas
53. To stay busy while the baby is asleep and the husband is at work (for stay at home moms)
54. To explore mom and pop bead shops in your local area
55. And finally… Because making jewelry is fun!
And now let’s hear it… why do YOU make jewelry?
