I make jewelry with beads and findings to sell on a retail basis at craft shows, etc. There are thousands of tiny parts that I use. It would not be feasible to count each item. How can I create an inventory for accounting purposes? I have just started in business and not set up any books yet. I have both things that I bought long ago and have no idea of their cost, and things that I bought recently with receipts. But still I cannot count every bead and finding.

it is possible to count small objects by weight, as to those things you cannot value for lack of data, you can estimate their value or simply value them at zero . What you would do is create a record where you note the quantity and value and when you use the item you reduce the quantity, this is called a perpetual inventory system. At the balance date your records will enable you to value the inventory