Designing Beaded Jewelry for Friends and Relatives

by admin on Sep. 29, 2010, under Selling Tips
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The most meaningful gifts that I have received in my life are those that my close friends and relatives have made for me. There is something very special about opening a present and knowing that not only did that person spend their time searching for just the right things to go into it but they also crafted it with their very own hands! Its something like the difference between a home cooked meal and a restaurant one: subtle but undeniable.

One of the important things to keep in mind when you are designing jewelry for someone is their personal taste. I know it may sound obvious but how many times have you received a gift and thought, Well, its nice enough but isnt this more like something they would wear, eat, listen to, watch, etc, Its very easy to get carried away when you are designing something and think, Oh, these delicate diamond beads look gorgeous with these elegant sapphire briolettes! I ll use them together. However, when you are designing for someone who would prefer chunky amethyst nuggets beads and huge keishi pearls even though the piece you design with the diamond beads and sapphire briolettes might be stunning they might not appreciate it quite as much as you do. Therefore the first thing to consider when you are designing jewelry is, What do they like?

If you know them well you will be able to recall their favorite colors. Do they go for anything dramtic and really wild? Or are they more into subtle and delicate? Or is absolutely everything they own neutral? Or do they follow every new fashion? If they love drama and color you might think of some of the more colorful gemstones that come in larger sizes like blue chalcedony, fluorite, lapis, kunzite, turquoise or ruby zoisite. If they really love delicate and elegant then precious stones will win their hearts. Try ruby, emerald, sapphires or for the more adventurous: spinel, tsavorite garnet, tanzanite, apatite, tourmaline (one of my personal favorites!) or diamond beads if you really want to wow them. Dont be deterred by the expense of precious stones. You can always go for a few briolettes and make a nice necklace by hanging them from an open link chain or you could get a pair for earrings. If youre designing for someone who loves neutrals you can go with classic pearls or any of the many varieties of agate, mother of pearl, quartz or moonstone. Fossilized coral is also a lovely neutral with interesting patterns: perfect for pendants! If they follow the latest fashion its really fun to get them something that few people have ever heard of like hypersthene, chiasolite, bronzite, kunzite, fuschite, or hemimorphite stone beads.

There are so many stones to choose from that the most challenging part is narrowing it down. I find that once you have chosen the stones you think they will like best the designing part takes care of itself. Youve already thought about their personal style so its easy to come up with something that will work for them. After youve picked out your beads and designed your piece the really fun part begins: giving the gift and if youve done your job right watching their eyes light up when they open it. By designing something yourself for your friend or relative you get something really special. Not only do you get to give a wonderfully personal gift to someone you love; you get the enjoyment of watching them wear it and cherish it for the rest of their lives. What could be more wonderful?

Clip Earrings: A Pierce-Less Sense of Style

by admin on Sep. 8, 2010, under Selling Tips
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Pierced jewelry is all the rage among both the young and old, celebrities and commoners alike. But for various reasons, a person may be against ear piercings. It could be because ear piercings are a bit of a hassle, and then again it could be because body piercings are prohibited to a person because of religion or other constraints. Clip earrings are therefore very convenient and suitable for some people. Not everybody wants to be pierced, but everybody wants to be fashionable and chic.

Clip earrings are seldom uncomfortable, and even if one is not accustomed to wearing them, they are easy to get used to. These jewelry items are clasped onto the earlobe, then worn like regular pierced earrings. The clips are often strong, so they don’t blow away with the wind or get knocked into the nearest sewer drain while the wearer is casually walking down the street. They are also very convenient; easy to slip on or off in a pinch.

Various materials are used to make this user-friendly and fashionable item. From inexpensive plastic to costly gemstones, they also come in a great variety of designs from which to choose. Clip earrings are an excellent alternative to costume jewelry — that is, stuff you’re going to wear once, and then again only during the next blue moon. Jewelry to wear onstage, and only at specific productions, is an example of this. This might be especially attractive to people who seldom wear earrings, but are drawn by the thought of wearing earrings during special occasions. There is then no need for ear piercings, when such a stylish accessory is already at hand.

Children may also prefer clip earrings as these accessories are enjoyable to wear and to collect. Clip earrings are good for mixing and matching, for swapping and other fun activities. Even if ones ears are already pierced, clip earrings should still be considered — they may come with uses and “looks” that will pleasantly surprise any person.

5 Tips for Buying Handcrafted Silver Jewelry Online

by admin on Mar. 3, 2010, under Selling Tips
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Genuine handcrafted silver jewelry is as beautiful as it is unique. Whether you’re looking for pieces to add to your collection or are shopping for gifts, there are excellent online sources for handmade earrings, pendants, rings, barrettes, and necklaces. For a wonderful buying experience, follow these five tips.

1. Find a reputable source. This may go without saying, but don’t confuse commercially manufactured jewelry with handcrafted silver jewelry. The latter is made by artisans that take great pride in their work. It’s helpful to look for a company that has been in business for decades, and that has been selling online for at least five years.

2. Take advantage of customization. When jewelry is handmade, it can be customized in any number of ways, from the lengths of chains to the types of gemstones used in pendants and rings. You don’t need to settle for “almost good enough.” Instead, you can get the piece you’ve always dreamed of, in exactly the right size.

3. Measure carefully. Because customized pieces generally aren’t returnable, it’s important to make sure that the handcrafted silver jewelry you order will fit. It only takes a few minutes to get a good measurement, and doing so will ensure that the necklace or ring you order will be exactly what you want. For rings, ask a friend to take a piece of string, put it around the knuckle or largest part of your finger, and mark the string. To determine the size, hold the string against a tape measure and compare your measurement to the website’s sizing chart. If you’re in between sizes, it’s best to go with the larger size. You can also use string to measure for bracelet, necklace, or anklet lengths.

4. Do your gemstone research. The best online jewelry sites have a wealth of information on gemstones. Before you order, read up on the gemstones you are considering. It’s important to know, for example, that aquamarine can be cleaned with dishwashing detergent, but that ultrasonic and steam cleaning may damage the stone. Similarly, you may know that pearls are delicate and can easily absorb liquids, but you might not know that turquoise is also porous and can easily become stained.

If you’re going to order jewelry with gemstones, it’s also crucial to know whether the stones are natural or if their colors have been enhanced. Reputable artisans will freely share this information. Don’t be alarmed, however, if the stones have been heated or irradiated to intensify or change their colors. Naturally colored rubies, sapphires, and topaz, for example, are extraordinarily rare; it is an accepted practice within the jewelry industry to enhance gemstone colors.

5. Invest in the real thing. Silver jewelry is gorgeous, but only if it’s real silver. Make sure that the online source you select uses either sterling silver (.925 or 92.5 percent silver) or fine silver (99.9 percent pure silver). When you invest in handcrafted silver jewelry, you’re not only buying a piece you will treasure, but one that is likely to become an heirloom for future generations.