Glossary.doc. Diagram for UniSyn Seed Bead Stock Numbering System. Untitled. Bead Information. Your Jewelry Design Portfolio. A portfolio is a visual and written document of your work. It represents you when you are not there to speak for yourself; accurately presenting what you are capable of doing. This is a valuable promotional tool and is a must for every jewelry designer. You should start building your portfolio as soon as you start creating. This collection of work is a synopsis of what you have accomplished; what you have done; where you have sold, exhibited, studied; and what others say about your work. It can be used to show potential clients what has been created in the past as well as your current focus, whether it be a technique you're exploring, the development of a series, or an imposing body of work.
Gallery owners who want to find artists doing innovative, exciting pieces or retailers and merchants who are looking for new sources of handcrafted products will want to review new portfolios regularly. Cover Letter The cover letter introduces you and your craft. Starting a Jewelry Collection. Guest blogger John Tozzi, who creates handmade jewelry, addresses product development and building a cohesive collection. Why a Collection? Many of the jewelry artisans that I know will work on jewelry year round. And, while that is true to a certain extent for me as well, I will do the bulk of my work twice a year. I design an actual Spring Collection and Fall Collection. I do this for several different reasons: Costs. Story. Promotion. How Do You Design It? Most of my collections will consist of a series of anywhere from 4-7 different designs, and one set of “orphans” (I talk more about the orphans in a few minutes). When I come up with my designs, I try, as much as possible, to have as big a range as I can.
Running through each collection with be a theme or two. I can also make a very long piece that they could wear long or doubled, depending on the outfit. Perhaps they like that stone, but only one particular kind of necklace. A little bit ago, I talked about “orphans”. Now, go design! More Bead Weaving Techniques. How to Choose the Best Jewelry Clasp. Jewelry clasps are more than just functional components used to securely connect two ends of a necklace or other piece of jewelry.
Some clasps are there for function only, with a subdued appearance that keeps them from overpowering the jewelry. Other clasps are bold and are an important part of the jewelry's overall design. Some types of clasps are more secure than others and some are more difficult to open and close without help from another person. Spring Ring Clasps A spring ring clasp opens when you push backwards on a little lever that slides along a circular ring.
Once the clasp is open open you simply insert the chain or loop that's attached to the piece you're connecting into the open circle, then release the lever to return it to the closed position. There's a tiny spring inside the clasp that puts pressure on the mechanism to keep the spring ring shut until you decide to open it again. Rings & Things - How To Choose a Clasp. Choosing the Right Bracelet Clasp. Choosing the Right Bracelet Clasp Beading Daily reader Nicole asked a great question about bracelet clasps. Her "best clasp" question is one of those questions that seems on the surface to be quick and easy. While there are some basic facts that you need to consider--like whether the recipient of your jewelry wears a pacemaker--there is also a lot of room for personal preference and experience.
I'd love to know what you think about bracelet clasps--please share your own ideas in the comments section. Thanks! Q: I have a question about bracelet clasps. A: What a great question! I use magnetic clasps for much of my personal jewelry because they are so easy to open. Box clasps often have inlaid gemstones or other designs that make them a beautiful finishing touch to a beaded bracelet.
Pearl clasps combine both a fishhook clasp and a locking box mechanism, which means that there's a backup if the box mechanism fails. Or why not skip the clasp altogether? -Michelle. Wire Gauge Chart, Wire gauge sizes, all your jewelry making wire. Wire Gauge Chart to Choose the Appropriate Jewelry Making Wire for all Your Beading Projects! This wire gauge chart lists the most common gauges of jewelry making wire, tigertail and beading wire used for all your wire and bead jewelry.
When you take a look at some of the many styles wire jewelry has, and is continually encompassing one is presently surprised as to the many beautiful and creative pieces able to be produced. In saying this it is very important to start on the right foot by choosing the correct gauge for that special piece, so check out the helpful conversion chart below. When first starting out you will need to practice the many different wire techniques so choose the less expensive, but always stick to the correct gauge the pattern requires or the results could be quite different.
Any wire will harden as you work with it. It is easier to harden than it is to soften. Wire comes in three different forms of hardness which describes it's temper or malleability:- Wire Gauge Chart. Study Form for Learning Jewelry Making. Jewelry : Gem engraving, setting, and cutting -- Encyclopedia Britannica.
From the Encyclopædia Britannica jewelry , objects of personal adornment prized for the craftsmanship going into their creation and generally for the value of their components as well. Throughout the centuries and from culture to culture, the materials considered rare and beautiful have ranged from shells, bones, pebbles, tusks, claws, and wood to so-called precious metals, precious and semiprecious stones, pearls, corals, enamels, vitreous pastes, and ceramics. In certain eras artist-craftsmen have sometimes placed less emphasis on the intrinsic value of materials than on their aesthetic function as components contributing to the effect of the whole.
Gem engraving , setting, and cutting The most ancient technique of stone engraving, intaglio-incised carving, was probably first used to produce seals. The cameo is usually one of the components for necklaces, bracelets, and rings or is included in medallions with a jeweled frame. Middle Eastern and Western antiquity Sumerian Egyptian. The JA Report: News, Tips & Trends from Jewelers of America: Cost of Doing Business. We continue our in-depth coverage of the recently released 2011 Jewelers of America Cost of Doing Business Report with a spotlight on high- and low-profit income statement measures. Last week, we excerpted a section on the benefits of comparing your business’ operating ratios to high- and low-profit jewelry firms. This week, we look at how a high- and low-profit income statement comparison can reveal key performance areas jewelry business owners should review in their stores to improve profitability. The following excerpt is another example of how the 2011 Cost of Doing Business Report -- with its comprehensive data tables on a cross section of jewelry firms -- is an invaluable benchmarking tool to help you find areas to cut costs or strategize how to improve performance.
Continue reading "Ignore Management Details and Lose Profits" » Share on Facebook • Twit This! • Email this • Blog This Continue reading "High- or Low-Profit: Where Does Your Jewelry Business Stand? " Create a Cohesive Jewelry Collection - The JA Report: News, Tips & Trends from Jewelers of America. "Is my collection cohesive? " This is the one-billion-dollar question that jewelry designers should be asking themselves.
By definition cohesiveness means well-integrated or unified. To make sure your collections thrive each season, Helena Krodel, Jewelers of America Director of Media and Special Events (and Jewelry Information Center spokeswoman), says you need to take a close look at your designs and ask the following questions: Does my collection tell a story? A key to a cohesive collection is coming up with ideas and themes that run through each piece. Together, these “tell the story” of your collection. Does it look like each and every piece is made by the same designer? Take The Tip: As a new Jewelers of America-member benefit, JA Supplier Members can now schedule 15-minute mentoring sessions with one of our in-house jewelry fashion and trend experts from Jewelry Information Center. Clothing Glossary- Tops. I created this little glossary of different types of tops (and bottoms) when I was writing the book.
I was going to include it in the book, but the powers that be decided that it was too long. So, here it goes. Please feel free to add any additional types of tops to the comments section below. Bandeau Tops: band-shaped covering specifically the breasts Blazer: generally a long-sleeved sports jacket with lapels Bolero jacket: a jacket that is loose and waist-length and open at the front Cap sleeve: a shorter sleeve than normal that forms a stiff cap or falls on to arms providing minimal coverage Chemise: A simple, straight unbelted dress with different lengths and sleeve styles Corset top/boned bodice: usually strapless bodice with laces or snap closures that is extremely form fitting. Cowl neck: a piece of material attached to a garment at the neckline, usually used as a hood or draped loosely at the front neckline or back. Draped bodice: extra pieces of material laid over the bustline. 11 Tips for Selling Success | Ornatia Rustic Jewelry: Learn to Make & Sell Artisan Jewelry.
Here are 11 essential tips for writing descriptive copy for handmade jewelry that can successfully sell on Internet craft mall, auction, and store listing websites. If you make and sell jewelry and find writing effective jewelry descriptions to be challenging, these guidelines should help get you on track. When selling your jewelry online - maybe through Etsy, eBay or a store on your own website - you'll find yourself called on to write a description of the jewelry for sale.
Why is it necessary to create descriptions of your jewelry for sale? You'll probably find, as I did when I began, that you don't know where to start. I've since learned exactly what I needed to include to make a sale and leave a customer satisfied. Specify the Products Included List exactly what is included in the listing. Make sure your customers know whether the product listing is for just a necklace (and the other pieces are listed separately), or if it includes the entire necklace-earrings-bracelet set. it comes in. Your Jewelry Design Portfolio. Create a Jewelry Portfolio. JewelryDesign_portfolio.