Aloha and thank you so much for being here. I’m truly grateful for everyone who visits my shop, reads my blog, and takes an interest in Niʻihau shell jewelry. I often receive thoughtful questions about my work — especially whether I offer wholesale, consignment, or lower-grade shell options — so today I wanted to share a warm, honest explanation straight from my heart.

One of the questions I’m asked most often is:

“Do you wholesale your Niʻihau shell jewelry (ニイハウシェル ジュエリー) or bulk shell supply?”

Or…

“Do you do consignment with shops or galleries?”

I always take this as a heartfelt compliment. It means people see value in my work and feel connected to the care, patience, and tradition behind every piece. Each item is handmade with Hawaiian seashells from Kauaʻi and Niʻihau — a practice I’m grateful to continue — and I truly appreciate everyone who reaches out with these questions.

Consignment

Consignment can be a wonderful arrangement for many artists. A piece is displayed in a shop or gallery, and the artist is paid once it sells. It’s a common way for handmade Hawaiian crafts and locally made jewelry to reach new customers.
For me, consignment has been both meaningful and challenging.

One of the most memorable moments in my journey was having my jewelry featured at the Kauaʻi Museum shop when I lived on Kauaʻi. I was truly honored, and I remain grateful for that experience.

I also tried consignment with a few small shops on the island. Sometimes things happened — pieces were moved, touched, or displayed often — and a few shells broke off. Because Niʻihau shell jewelry is made with very tiny shells such as Kahelelani, Momi, and Laiki, even the finished jewelry still needs gentle care to stay beautiful for many years. When a shell breaks, especially in traditional designs like Pikake or Poepoe, it often means rebuilding the entire piece.

Each creation feels very personal to me. I want every piece to be cared for from the moment I finish it until the moment it reaches its new home. For this reason, consignment simply isn’t the best fit for my work right now.

Why I Don’t Wholesale My Jewelry or Loose Shell Supply

Wholesale usually means selling large batches at a lower price so another business can resell them. But Niʻihau shell jewelry cannot be mass produced — and it shouldn’t be.

Each lei, earring, bracelet, or pendant is created with careful sorting of shells, matching by size and color, high-quality findings, hours — sometimes days — of weaving and tying, patience, intention, and aloha.

Because this is not just handmade shell jewelry. It is an art, a tradition of Hawaiian culture, and it deserves the time, attention, and respect needed to create it properly.

Wholesale pricing would force me to lower the value of work that carries so much meaning and intention. By creating each piece one at a time, I can maintain the quality, consistency, and honesty my customers expect from authentic Niʻihau shell jewelry (ニイハウシェル ジュエリー).

This is also the reason I do not wholesale my loose shell supply.

I purchase my shells directly from trusted shellers on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, and shelling is seasonal — availability and pricing shift often depending on demand from many other creators. I use most of what I purchase for my own jewelry, and when I have extra, I offer them in small amounts on my website and Etsy shop.

Before listing loose shells, I take the time to sort out any imperfect or unusable shells. Because the quality varies by season, and the time to prepare them remains the same, the cost is never consistent enough for me to offer wholesale pricing.

My goal is always to provide shells that are ready to use, fairly priced, and carefully selected — not to move large, discounted quantities. This allows me to stay true to my standards and ensures my customers always know exactly what they’re receiving.

Another Question I’m Often Asked: “Why Not Use B- or C-Grade Shells and Sell It Cheaper?”

This is a very common question, and also a wonderful suggestion I often receive from my customers.

Maybe this is just me… but once you set your standards high, it becomes very hard to work with shells that are less than A-grade. When B or C-grade shells are placed next to A-grade shells, the difference becomes very clear — in strength, shape, luster, and the way the final design lays.

Even when you look at close-up photos, it can still be difficult to identify the difference between A-grade, B+, B, or C-grade shells. If you’re not familiar with working closely with the shells, the variations can be very subtle — sometimes only noticeable when the shells are handled in person. I completely understand why this can be confusing, and it’s one of the reasons I try my best to describe each item clearly.

If you would like to learn more about how shell quality works, you can read my blog here: Beginner’s Guide – Niʻihau Shell Jewelry

And this is why I don’t use B–C grade shells and sell the jewelry for less. Even if I tried to lower the price, it wouldn’t make much difference in the end, because the time it takes to prep, match, and string the shells is still the same — the only real difference would be the quality of the shells used.

So I made a gentle decision that feels right for my work and for my customers:
I choose to use only A-grade or strong B+ shells for my jewelry.

I prefer not to use B–C grade shells at all in my creations. But for anyone just starting out, B–C grade shells are wonderful to learn with — they help you practice without the pressure. And for shops or artists who use B–C grade shells, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that either… other than they should point that out to you. ?

This way, when you shop on my website or my Etsy shop, you never have to wonder, “Hmm… is this made with lesser-grade shells?” Nope — not here. I don’t use them in my work, so everything you see is simple, honest, consistent, and made with the same level of care every time.

This is also why I cannot offer very large discounts or consignment. The shells, the findings, the careful sorting, and the hours of weaving all play a role in creating something special — something meant to last.

If a piece passes my own inspection, I know it will bring joy to someone else.

If You’re New to Niʻihau Shell Jewelry, You May Also Enjoy These Blogs

Beginner’s Guide – Should I Try to Make Niʻihau Shell Jewelry?
What Are Kahelelani Shells?
Niʻihau Shell Jewelry Buyer’s Guide

These posts can help you understand shell types, sorting, quality, and the traditions behind this beautiful Hawaiian art.

A Little More From My Heart

I don’t create jewelry simply for profit. With the quality of shells I choose, the findings I prefer, the fees, advertising, and the discounts I offer, I work with a modest margin — but that has never been what inspires me.

What keeps me creating is the joy of working with these beautiful shells, the Hawaiian traditions they carry, and the happiness they bring to the people who choose my work. Whether you’re buying something for yourself, a gift, an anniversary, or a special occasion, I’m honored you visit my website and support my creations.

Your messages, your feedback, and the notes you send after receiving your orders brighten my day and remind me why I love making Niʻihau shell jewelry.

Thank you, truly, for supporting my small business and allowing me to share this Hawaiian art with you — one tiny shell at a time.
With aloha,
Janjira