Articles and news on the jewelry trade from selling jewelry, pricing jewelry and gemstone bead information.
Contributing authors include.
Szarka Robyn Hawk Sherry Kyote
Szarka a professional Jewelry Artist Gemoholic and dealer.
Robyn Hawk an avid writer and a woman who knows her gemstones.
Sherry "Dancing Feather" a professional Wire Wrapper, Teacher and a woman with many years experience selling her art.
Kyote a hound that loves turquoise and is a professional writer.
I receive a lot of questions about beads, the business of selling jewelry, and about jewelry design. Here are a few of them with answers and some other interesting tidbits you may enjoy.
All articles are copywrite. You can reprint these articles as long as the original author is sited and a link to their site is included.
Just click on the links below to be taken to the article.
Summer 2010 Jewelry Fashion Trends
Predicting jewelry fashion trends is always an interesting endeavor. For years I was always ahead of the trends and thought I had some sixth sense knack for what would be hot. . . .
You Tube on Drilling Holes in Gemstone Beads
I like to see the process the beads go through from the ground, to the manufacturer and into my designs. . .
PR - How do I get my jewelry business noticed online?
If you don't mind a couple of questions, I have read many of your newsletters and can't remember if this was addressed, but I just opened a "store" on artfire. I was wondering if there is a free way to advertise my site and to drive people to my site.
Copper Tidbits and Facts
The use of copper in jewelry making is growing exponentially, resulting in the quest for more knowledge about copper in general.
Selling Jewelry in a slow economy
When times are tough it is time to invest, not cut. This comes from years of research... All show that, if we cut marketing during such times, the impact is damaging and it can take you longer to get back to where you were.
William Murdoch ~ the process of making hand rolled beads
William Murdoch is a rock hound and a professional bead and cabochon maker. He put together a pictorial documentary on his process and was kind enough to allow me to post it here for you. He walks through the process of making a natural Ithaca Peak rondelle necklace. Gorgeous.
Anyway - Pep talk
At times when the world is changing people get jumpy, scared, nervous. It is natural and normal. A new President is coming in. The economy has everyone talking and some worrying.
Interview with Mike "Revluc" Rock hound and cab maker
I asked Mike, a client and someone I have been watching, if he would allow me to do an article on him. He has a genuine love for rocks, lapidary, and shows a real knack for putting his work into settings that are unique and creative. I think he will be someone to watch as his career takes off.
Jewelry Making Tutorials
I was asked for some tutorials, by a couple ladies in my Jewelry Making Class and thought I would share the info....
Interview with Leslie Johnston - Jewelry Maker
Every year Leslie bids on my surprise Halloween auction and this year she got it for a song. (yeah Leslie) I wanted to know more about this die hard beadaholique and am I ever glad I did. I decided she needed to be interviewed.She has been in the press a great deal in her area and I wanted to support her in keeping that momentum going. Her work was featured in the client's blog last week.
How do you Create a Piece? My process.
This may be an odd question, and you may not want to answer it but I am curious how do you come up with the ideas for your jewelry? Your pieces are so unique and have a definite flare that I do not often see.
What is the best way to learn how to run a jewelry making business?
I'm fairly new to jewelry making, but I already love it enough to turn it into a business. I don't want to rush, though. I don't want to be a simple bead stringer. I want to take time to develop a variety of skills so I can put some real thought and craftsmanship into my work. I also know that I will need to build up my inventory and learn more about managing a home business.
Social Networking for Jewelry Designers
I can’t believe I said that I would do this – don’t think that this is the definitive list of social networks because I really don’t think that can be done! How do I learn to Wire Wrap I get asked this once a week and I give everyone a different answer depending on their skill level but there are some things that are universal that I say.
Harvesting a Fresh Water Cultured Pearl
Interesting video of a oyster being opened with over 20 fresh water pearls inside.
Mexican Fire Opal Born in fire...of fire in ancient volcanoes...
Fire Opal forms when water and steam fills seams and openings in silica-rich lava....Under heat and pressure, the silica forms a solid gel, trapping the remaining water within its structure.
How to Take Care of Your Copper Jewelry and deal with Tarnishing?
Thanks for asking and giving us the opportunity to share. Here's my little bits of input on the ages old issue of tarnishing copper and green skin, since they really do seem to go together for most of the population....
Want to be a google adwords spy?
I received this link through an online webinar I was taking on SEO. This place is amazing. It shows you what Google ad words companies are using to advertise and how much they spend per click.
Etsy versus eBay and Sherry's Toodles Tut
I have been thinking of branching out to Ebay and/or Etsy. Is one better than the other? Do you think that would be a good next step for me? What advise do you have for me? Should it increase sales? Oh, and your wire wrap tutorial on your site, is that one you wrote?
Copying your work
Szarka I bought a number of strands of beads last month to make a bracelet I saw on your blog. I feel kind of funny asking but, can't quite figure out how you did it. Would you mind sharing the technique with me?
Where do I learn about Turquoise?
On the topic of turquoise you seem to be quite knowledgeable on this subject. Therefore I was wondering where I can gain some of that knowledge and what sites you might recommend for me to educate myself on knowing the difference between the various types of turquoise.
Pricing Jewelry
You stated your retail price is 400 % of your absolute base wholesale price. Would you mind shedding some light on how you determine absolute base wholesale price?
How do you locate a gallery to sell in?
Other than a website, which is a subject in itself, and people that I come in contact with, which is very few with my needing to stay at home, how does one locate a gallery to have ones jewelry at on consignment? What options are there to selling this way?
Gallery Percentages
Another question....the primary gallery I'm in opened 3 yrs ago and she did a 35/65 split with the artists. She's gone up to 40/60 and now says since she's moving the store location, her expenses are higher and she will probably have to go to a 50/50 split. What kind of agreement do you make with galleries ...
Marketing Cabs
Ok, here is one for you, Cutting cabs is a hobby of mine and they are of rarer or rare material. They are from calibrated to designer. I can sell these as a finished piece but would still rather cut them and they are of the quality of the higher end cabs that others command a good price.
How do you know when to pull out of a gallery?
I have my work on consignment in two small galleries. While my work is selling, it’s moving very very slowing. I have an inventory of around 50 pieces in each venue which includes earrings, necklaces, pendants. But I’m beginning to think the maintenance of the jewellery & the displays is not worth it.
