Jingle Bell Jewelry Set (Tutorial)
by Rena Klingenberg. © 2003-Present Rena Klingenberg. All Rights Reserved This jolly jewelry set features clusters of jingle bells on a cha-cha bracelet and earrings. I used a mid-weight antiqued brass chain as the base for the bracelet and earrings. The bracelet has lots of movement: . . . and has a comfortable, pretty drape […]
Continue readingA Trio of Beaded Bracelets
by Kathy Zee. (Fiddletown, CA) I made these three bracelets the other day. The brown glass bracelet was made from glass beads that I have had for quite some time, at least 3 years. The Black and gold one is using a gold chain and added metal square beads and black faceted glass beads and […]
Continue readingHelp! I Need to Find a “Category” for My Jewelry.
by Lisa Lavado. (Connecticut) I am trying a new marketing approach. I need to find a jewelry category I fit into so that I can better reach my niche. I plan on focusing on my woven pendants. I can do them in different colors, including birthstone colors. I was looking at “casual elegance”, but I’m […]
Continue readingHow to Find Jewelry Sales Reps?
by DeeAnn Elizabeth Pavlick. (Pennsylvania) Hello, my name is DeeAnn Elizabeth. I have been a designer since I was 24 and I am now 56. I have been selling on my own all these years and very wrapped up now in being an author and hospice nurse. I am looking for a sales rep to […]
Continue readingGrandma’s Green Beads
by Catherine. (Oklahoma) Like Rena, I love green colors. I collect anything green. I inherited my Grandma’s beaded necklaces and broaches. I especially loved one necklace, it’s one of my favorite shades of green. I took it apart and made a bracelet (middle) from each bead for my Sister and I a few months ago. […]
Continue readingFluorite Gemstone Beaded Necklace and Earrings
by Kathy Zee. (Fiddletown, CA) A friend of mine gave me the Fluorite beads and They were so pretty that I had to make something with them. I love green and purple together so I added some Green beads, some Czech beads, silver lined seed beads for a touch of sparkle. The pendant was made […]
Continue readingArtisan Cooperative Workspace – Is There Any Advantage Beyond Exposure?
by Michele Counihan. I recently joined a new artisan cooperative workspace owned by the niece of a former employer. About a month after the opening, she had a designers meeting and told us we each have to pay $125 per quarter in addition to her 25% commission on each sale and fees for table space […]
Continue readingCrack in a Labradorite – How Did it Happen?
by Barbara Jacquin. (Uzes in the south of France) A question for you lapidary experts: One of my best customers bought a labradorite pendant, one of my nicest I think, several months ago but recently showed it to me with its new crack, vertical from top to bottom in the very middle of the stone. […]
Continue readingEmerald Bracelet with Chainmaille
by Glenda. (England) I guess you can tell with my pieces at the moment that I am into Chainmaille. Love the different colours you can use but I do like silver, they are 5mm. I also used emeralds again. You can use any gems or pearls so every bracelet can be different. Glenda
Continue readingFall and Winter Are the Most Inspiring Seasons for Me
by Dawn. (Syracuse NY) I just love all of the beautiful colors in the fall. I’m from the Adirondacks and it is the best time of year. And who can resist the Christmas season? I so enjoy working with pretty lampwork and ceramic beads, and finding just the right crystals and accents to finish with. […]
Continue readingHow to Promote My Jewelry with Easy to Open Closures?
by Lisa Winters-Baldwin. (Phoenix, Arizona) I was so excited to read the posting in your last newsletter called There’s a Big Audience for Jewelry with Easy Open Clasps because I have recently started giving customers options for easy to open clasps in my own Etsy shop. That posting taught me to use the toggle closures […]
Continue readingAquamarine Cuff Bracelet Inspired by the Sea
by Sonja. (Croatia) My love for the sea inspired me to make this beautiful bracelet. I handcrafted this bracelet using oxidized sterling silver and aquamarine gemstones. I made the frame of the bracelet with 15 gauge (1.5 mm) sterling silver wire which I hammered for more strength and character. Inside the frame I wire-wrapped beautiful […]
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