Welcome to Carol Jos!

I'm Carol Buckneberg, the owner and creator behind everything you see here at CarolJos.com.

My jewelry-making journey began in 2005 during a girls' day with my sister, where we took a class on making stretchy bracelets. That simple activity sparked a deep love for creating. Over the following year, I dove into jewelry-making classes and gifted my creations to friends and family. When I asked my sister what to do next, she suggested selling my pieces—so Bead Designs by Carol was born.

What started with beads soon expanded into experimenting with all sorts of materials—from backsplash tiles and spray paint can marbles to washers, hex nuts, and acrylic paints. I love using unexpected, everyday items to create something beautiful and unique.

For 17 years—from 2006 to 2023—I was a vendor at events of all sizes, from heartfelt charity shows to massive expos with over 50,000 attendees. In 2020, when many events were canceled or postponed, I opened an Etsy shop to stay connected with my customers. That experience taught me a lot, but I knew I wanted more control and a space that truly felt like home. That’s when I shifted my focus fully online—and today, Carol Jos lives here at CarolJos.com.

In June 2021, Carol Jos officially launched. I chose the new name to reflect the wider variety of items I now create—not just beaded jewelry, but also jewelry without beads and accessories that go beyond jewelry altogether.

In February 2023, someone asked if I would be willing to sell some beads from my personal collection. I said yes—at least to a few! I tried coordinating bead sales through email at first, but it quickly became clear that it wasn’t an ideal process. So, I moved to selling beads live online. At the beginning, I handwrote details for every item someone claimed. That became overwhelming fast, so I switched to using Excel to track claims. Eventually, I added an app within my website that generates labels automatically. I’ve learned so much through that journey, and the business has evolved in ways I never imagined. Today, I primarily sell jewelry-making components—beads, findings, charms, and other supplies—so others can create their own one-of-a-kind pieces too.

With nearly 20 years of experience in Information Technology, I worked alongside one of our kids to build this website—bringing our handmade creations and curated supplies directly to you. While I’ve stepped away from in-person shows, I love staying connected through the website, social media, and live sales.

Most of my jewelry is one of a kind, so if something catches your eye, don’t wait too long! I’ve had many customers come back hoping to grab a piece, only to find it’s already found a new home.

Thank you for being here and supporting my small business. I’m so glad you stopped by.

— Carol