REDUX:
I’ve posted this previously, and thought I’d share again. It is SUPER easy to make your own handmade earwires.
I’ve got two tutorials courtesy of Vicki from Orion Designs.
Enjoy!
Make your own earwires: Tutorial 1
Make your own earwires: Tutorial 2
And the winner of the sterling silver artisan pendant is:
Jessica J.
Jessica.. Please contact me using my contact form and send me your mailing address.
Congratulations!
and thank you very much to everyone that entered!
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Probably the most enjoyable part of making jewelry, apart from hammering the crap out of whatever metal I want to use (LOL) is deciding what to make. When I first started putting pieces together, I’d sit at my bench staring at the stones or glass and trying to imagine their outcome. I didn’t write much down, including the component sizes, wire gauges, etc. Not very efficient, although still satisfying, once the item was completed.
Now, I find one of the steps I enjoy the most is visualizing my ideas and then sketching them. I don’t draw well by any stretch of the imagination, but I like committing ideas to pen and paper. I’ve got a notebook FULL of sketches. Some are completed items, while some are just representations of a mood or color or something that inspired me.
There are two rather large benefits for me in utilizing a sketch in my process.
One, a written rendition of the finished component allows me to better reign in sizing. I am HORRIBLE at estimating how much wire I’ll need, or what the size of the finished product will be. Actually incorporating the stone into my drawing gives me a really good idea of what components work, or what don’t, as well.
Two, I can determine if the image in my head is possible in reality. You know what I mean, right? You have this brilliant conceptual idea, but, once you try to achieve it, turns out to be completely impractical. I figure that if I can’t draw it, I probably can’t make it either. Although, that may have everything to do with my drawing skills and not the probability of a successful outcome. LOL
Here are a couple images of some of the cabs I’ve got ideas for that are sitting, waiting patiently, on my bench. I’ve started keeping the sketch right in with the cab in their own plastic storage bags. I store everything in the plastic storage containers I blogged about yesterday.
One day, when I win the Powerball and have unlimited free time, I may actually finish all the jewelry projects sitting on my work bench. And when that day comes, boy will I be organized and ready. HA!
Do you sketch your designs? Where do you keep them?
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I’ve been hoarding beads again. Well, not just any beads, but cabochons. Lots and lots of them. You may not be able to see in the images below, but they are slowly taking over my work bench. Lovely hubby made a trip to the local WalMart and brought home this stack of organizers for me. What a great guy, huh? 
Ah, but it gets better. So what do you do with those myriad plastic organizers you ask? Well, if you have a wonderfully handy hubby as I do, you convince him to put up more shelves to store all your lovely tackle box bead holders.
The metal shelving is new. One side for beads, the other for all my mailing supplies. Seems to be workig much better than all over my work bench.
The work space organization never ends does it? I’ve blogged about it before too. You can see that post here: http://shinyadornments.com/wordpress/?p=157
What does your work space look like? I’d love to see your bench and work room photos….
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I rarely have items that make the Etsy Gift Guide cut. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen one of my items on those pages, so imagine my surprise when I found my Sookie Says necklace listed?!! Appropriate for a Halloween gift guide I think. And, well, for any True Blood fan, like me.
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From time to time, I profile fellow artisans from Artfire and etsy. Today’s artisan profile belongs to Gail from Melissa Meman Designs. Melissa is a fellow member on the Starving Artists Jewelry forum. If you’d like to chat with like minded, seriously talented artists, join us.
Etsy shop link: http://melissamemandesigns.etsy.com and http://melismaticrosaries.etsy.com
Name: Melissa Meman
Where else can we find you and your work?
http://melissameman.com
http://www.1000markets.com/melissamemandesigns
http://www.artfire.com/melissamemandesigns
Blog: http://pinkzinnias.typepad.com
Flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/pinkzinnias
Location: Frederick, MD
Where did you start and how did you learn to make the products you are creating today?
self-taught…fell in love with ornate glass earrings they use to sell at Pier1 Imports in the early ’90s…found a bead store and started making them! After many different phases, styles, settled in on my current style based on wire-wrapped links and other wire coiling, weaving and wrapping techniques.
What are your favorite materials?
sterling, copper, and bronze wire, gemstones, vintage and czech glass, artisan lampwork
What are your favorite pieces to create?
I love creating earrings, usually because they are quicker. I can create a design, then move on to something else faster! I also love creating my rosaries.
What inspires you?
Patterns in vintage fabric, colors in nature, swirly wrought-iron architecture, lots of talented jewelry designers
How do you describe your design style?
Eclectic. I try to incorporate lots of different style elements.
What artists have influenced you, and how?
Eni Oken, Iza Malczyk, Sharilyn Miller and many more wire and metal artists.
How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
Having fun with my hubby and 8 year old son, singing, gardening, cooking, reading, working a 9-5 job as a project administrator for an environmental engineering firm.
SPECIAL FOR SIMPLY SHINY READERS: Melissa is offering a 20% disount on a purchase from her shop. Just enter “Shiny” at checkout (on www.melissameman.com) or contact her for revised invoice on Etsy or Artfire.
Thanks Melissa!
A few weeks ago, I asked for your advice about what supplies I’d need for my first silversmithing class. Well, I’ve taken those supplies and put them to good use. Ok, maybe not good, but put to use none the less.
I finished my very first ring. It’s a bit wonky as the bezel slid when I was fusing it to the ring shank. But, all together not horrible. I think I am going to LOS the textured shank and then it needs polished.
I wish the weather would cooperate a bit so I could spend a bit more quality time out in the garage with my torch. 100+ degree weather is NOT conducive to this however.
Remember a few weeks back when I told you I’d be attending a silversmithing class this summer and asked for advice about what tools and supplies I needed?
I’ve made a bit of progress, and have some silver bezels soldered. I’ve also started fabricating the pieces of some silver pendants I thought would be fun to make.
This class has been a lot of fun so far. The women are funny and much hilarity ensues during each session. I’ve gotten over my fear of burning the place down and feel pretty comfortable with the torch now. So comfortable in fact, that I’ve got a bench set up in the garage. Lovely hubby was kind enough to clear a work space for me for my torch and all the associated accoutrements.
I know, the bezels look HORRIBLE as they still need to be trimmed, cleaned and polished. But it is progress.
Tomorrow I’ll post a pic of the silver and blue aventurine ring I finished.
I saw a thread in the etsy forums today with the title “Is Free Shipping the new black?” Perfect timing, as I’ve been noodling the idea for the last week or so.
I read an article called “Is Free Shipping More Attractive Than A Dollar Discount?” a couple of weeks ago that prompted the thought process. I’ve never been one to base my purchasing decision on whether or not the item would be shipped to me for free. Well, except for commodity type items, like books. Amazon is a perfect example in my case. If I am able to purchase EXACTLY the same book for the same price I can get it locally AND have it shipped for free to my front door, instead of having to drive to the store, physically pick it off the shelf, stand in line to pay and then drive home, then, well, I generally choose to make my purchase at Amazon.
So, does free shipping really matter with handmade items? Will it make an impact in number of sales? By default, with the exception of a few core items, handmade isn’t a commodity item. Meaning that in most cases, there are substantial differences in design, materials and quality. My buying decision is based on those things and not the price, generally. There are definitely sellers of handmade that are extremely successful, AND offer free shipping. Does the one contribute to the other?
And, does offering free shipping entice the buyer of handmade goods to purchase additional items he/she might not otherwise? I don’t know, but I’m willing to experiment a bit. I’ve edited the shipping profiles in both my Artfire (well, sort of on Artfire. I’m working on editing EACH listing. sigh) and my etsy shops to state that shipping is only charged on the first item. Each subsequent item in the same purchase is shipped for free. Time will tell if this is something that appeals to buyers.
What’s been your experience so far? Both as a buyer and a seller? Have you changed your shipping profile lately in your shop? Have you noticed any impact?
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From time to time, I profile fellow artisans from Artfire and etsy. Today’s artisan profile belongs to Gail from Jewelry by Gail Mason. Gail is a fellow member on the Starving Artists Jewelry forum. If you’d like to chat with like minded, seriously talented artists, join us.
Artfire shop: http://www.artfire.com/users/woodncanvas
Name: Gail D. Mason
My Website & Store: Jewelry by Gail Mason
Blog: http://jewelrybygailmason.blogspot.com/
Photobucket: WoodNCanvas on PhotoBucket
Gail’s tutorial on a Jump Ring making system
“Gail has been an artist for many years. She studied painting with professional artist Stacy Netherland and promoted and sold her work around the country. Gail also spent many years working with gemstones and jewelry on a retail level. Most recently she studied jewelry design with artisan Lynne Anderson.
Gail is a member in the SRAJD (Self Representing Artist Jewelry Designer). Gail has a style all her own and works wonders with wire, beads, metal and glass. She is developing her skills in making lampwork glass and also has recently added chain-maille woven jewelry to her line. She remains focused on the needs and desires of the individual in her custom order pieces.
Her industry knowledge is based upon practical experience gained through attending trade shows and while working in a number of traditional jewelry stores for several years. She is very capable in judging the quality, style and fit of all types of jewelry.
Just a little information about my business name. I started out planning to paint and sell my artwork (canvas) along with wooden furniture that my husband builds (wood) and some craft items (things). As time went on I found the jewelry design much more to my liking and have expanded into doing primarily just that. As the name was established and registered I decided to keep it for now.
I enjoy doing home parties and trunk shows. I invested in the display and racks needed for trunk shows so now I can take all or part of my inventory to a persons home or business for a showing. ”
What are your favorite materials?
Sterling silver and Swarovski crystals
What are your favorite pieces to create?
Currently chain maille weaves with crystal accents. I did some lampwork and liked that but it is an entirely different media.
What inspires you?
When I finish a piece the final result always gets me ready for another challenge.
How do you describe your design style?
Mostly traditional, following acceptable patterns with my own variations thrown in.
What artists have influenced you, and how?
Lynn Anderson taught me lampwork and showed me that aspect of jewelry. My chainmaille knowledge came from “Spyder” and her videos and some great books on maille.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to try it but plan on spending time learning and investing money in supplies.
What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started selling online?
Web site creation is not easy and does not always result in a profit.
How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
I work 42 hours a week and use my 3 days off to create jewelry items. My husband and I like to travel when time permits. Sometimes a day trip is all we can get though.
Thanks Gail!
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