Pearl Blay
earrings
feature designer
necklace
Geometric Shrink Plastic Jewelry by Anne Tranholm
Shrink plastic is a popular medium for jewelry making among artists. That is because you can draw something in a larger scale which then can be shrunk down into lovely jewelry pieces. Fellow Canadian, Anne Tranholm of Calgary, Alberta is one such artist. Her colorful shrink plastic jewelry are geometric in design. Her feature inspired pieces are subtler and still have her distinctive style.
Pearl Blay
giveaway
photography
Jewelry Shoot's $150 Giveaway of 10 Professional Photographs for eCommerce and Catalogs
Taking pictures - really good pictures - of handmade jewelry is probably the toughest challenge for most jewelry designers. That is because photography is not really a forte. Learning how to use a dSLR camera well can be a steep learning curve for many. While it is best to learn how to do it yourself, hiring a professional is the next best thing. This is useful especially if you want to take photographs of bestsellers or signature pictures for a website, online marketplace or in catalogs.
Ash Moosa, the photographer behind Jewelry Shoot offers a unique and affordable service for photographing jewelry and other small accessories. His studio is in the San Francisco Bay Area but his clients are not just local but from all over the US. That is because jewelry is light and can be easily shipped to him for the shoot and then shipped back to the designer. Initial email or phone discussions sort out the details.
His charge is $15 per photo with a white or transparent background. He does not offer graduated or colored backgrounds so if you need those, use the transparent background and Photoshop to get the colors you want. The photos are in large enough sizes for print material.
I haven't used his service but here are the YELP reviews from happy clients. Jewelry Shoot is also on Facebook. Shown here are a few examples from his website.
Ash is offering a lucky winner a jewelry shoot of 10 jewelry products (shipping costs included both ways) - a total value of $150+.
Giveaway
If you'd like to win this giveaway for 10 product photographs taken by Jewelry Shoot which includes shipping costs both ways, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is for US and Canada only.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, November 6, 2017. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure
I receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links which are provided as resource information for readers. This goes towards the support of this blog. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
Before You Go:
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
Ash Moosa, the photographer behind Jewelry Shoot offers a unique and affordable service for photographing jewelry and other small accessories. His studio is in the San Francisco Bay Area but his clients are not just local but from all over the US. That is because jewelry is light and can be easily shipped to him for the shoot and then shipped back to the designer. Initial email or phone discussions sort out the details.
His charge is $15 per photo with a white or transparent background. He does not offer graduated or colored backgrounds so if you need those, use the transparent background and Photoshop to get the colors you want. The photos are in large enough sizes for print material.
I haven't used his service but here are the YELP reviews from happy clients. Jewelry Shoot is also on Facebook. Shown here are a few examples from his website.
Ash is offering a lucky winner a jewelry shoot of 10 jewelry products (shipping costs included both ways) - a total value of $150+.
Giveaway
If you'd like to win this giveaway for 10 product photographs taken by Jewelry Shoot which includes shipping costs both ways, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is for US and Canada only.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, November 6, 2017. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure
I receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links which are provided as resource information for readers. This goes towards the support of this blog. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
Before You Go:
- How to Photography Jewelry Webinar (resumes in 2018)
- How to Make a See-Through Sea Glass Pendant | Some Photography Tips
- Beautiful Jewelry Photography Using an Inexpensive LED Light
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
Pearl Blay
beadwork
necklace
tutorial
Amazing Beaded Monarch Butterfly Pendant Tutorial
At the last Grand River Bead Society meeting, Alex, one of our members wore a fabulous beaded geometric butterfly pendant she made. We were all suitably impressed with this folded design which gives the butterfly a 3D effect. Alex told us who the designer was - Joy Davison (Jay Dee) of The Screamin' Squirrel.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
tutorial
video tutorial
Beautiful Wire Wrapped Bangle Tutorial with a Single Focal
It is always a sense of joy when you watch a wire artist at work. Aubry Bouck of Brandavir Jewelry shows how she made her Light of September bangle featuring a captured sapphire gemstone. The foundation bangle is very thick wire - 13G sterling silver. She also uses 18 G and 28 G wire for the rest of the design. Very sure bending of wire with just her fingers.
Pearl Blay
earrings
necklace
tutorial
wire work
Two Swirly Copper Wire Jewelry Tutorials and Tips by Oksana Truhan
Thick wire used in jewelry designs stands out mainly because they are bolder to look at. Oksana Truhan is a wire designer who likes to make swirly wire jewelry using thick 16 G wire. This elegant pendant tutorial of hers is lovely. I particularly like how she used a side drilled bead and wire wrapped it securely to her swirly frame.
Pearl Blay
earrings
tutorial
video tutorial
Fun Square Frame Crochet Earrings Tutorial | Possibilities for Wire Work?
There are many pretty yarn crochet earrings tutorials out there. But this tutorial by Italian designer, Loprovoio, caught my eye. It is not only because it is an square frame - geometric shapes are always fun. There are also many possibilities to really up the design quotient. I don't mean just changing the color of the thread.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
male jewelry
metal work
tutorial
DIY Hex Wrench Bracelet Tutorial for the Handyman
It's difficult to make jewelry for men. But a handyman will appreciate this DIY Hex Wrench bracelet because he can have one ready at all times! M3G on Instructables was inspired to come up with a wearable tool. Even if it is never used, the design is masculine and minimalist.
Pearl Blay
feature designer
Hand Embroidered Tiny Hoop Pendants by Capricious Arts
Terri A. Mitchell of Iowa and the designer behind Capricious Arts has left "the nine to five forever." She added, "I retired from the rat race to pursue my love for art and creating." As embroidery, drawing and coloring are the activities which make her happiest, she has channeled her passions into her hand embroidered hoop art.
Pearl Blay
giveaway
Winner of the Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry Book Giveaway
Quilling is not the kind of craft you associate with jewelry. So it was not surprising to see some of you intrigued with last week's book giveaway. Harriet Weinstein said, "I've used quilling to create book covers. I never thought it could be using in jewelry making." Indeed it can be used to make wearable designs!
Pearl Blay
business tips
How to Name Your Jewelry Design or Jewelry Store
Do you have an online jewelry store or are you planning to open one? If you want to add something extra to your entrepreneurial adventure, then pick a distinctive name for either your jewelry store or your jewelry design. Something short (1- 3 words) but distinctive and memorable.
Check out the name generator from Behind the Name for single names. I selected "First Name" and "Feminine"and got the generator to randomly churn out ideas. Some of the names from Celtic myth category which I liked include Morrighan, Luned, Angharad, Niamh. These are perfect for wire wrapped designs with an elvish look.
The Name-Generator is another great site. You start off with a known word or part of the word and decide if you want it at the beginning, ending, containing and so on. So when I typed in amethyst, I got a whole bunch of suggestions. Not all are suitable. Amethystea or amethyston are possibilities I liked for amethyst designs!
If you use a lot of color in your designs, you could use a color thesaurus like the one collected by Ingrid Sundberg. There are plenty more color words to use. Paint chip names also inspire. How about a Boysenberry Sparkle as a name for a purple design?
Fantasy Name Generators has a huge variety of generators. Most are two words randomly generated but you can choose to use only one of them for your designs. Under fantasy names, you could choose dragon, fairy, elf etc. If I did an elvish design, I could name it "Arcaena" from the list below! Really fun site to explore.
You could also come up with a portmanteau, a new word made up of a few words. For example brunch is a combination from breakfast and lunch. The Portmanteaur is such a generator to try. As you can see not all suggestions are useful! So experiment.
There are tons of other generators online. So have a look and see if they help you come up with something unique!
Before You Go:
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Check out the name generator from Behind the Name for single names. I selected "First Name" and "Feminine"and got the generator to randomly churn out ideas. Some of the names from Celtic myth category which I liked include Morrighan, Luned, Angharad, Niamh. These are perfect for wire wrapped designs with an elvish look.
The Name-Generator is another great site. You start off with a known word or part of the word and decide if you want it at the beginning, ending, containing and so on. So when I typed in amethyst, I got a whole bunch of suggestions. Not all are suitable. Amethystea or amethyston are possibilities I liked for amethyst designs!
If you use a lot of color in your designs, you could use a color thesaurus like the one collected by Ingrid Sundberg. There are plenty more color words to use. Paint chip names also inspire. How about a Boysenberry Sparkle as a name for a purple design?
Fantasy Name Generators has a huge variety of generators. Most are two words randomly generated but you can choose to use only one of them for your designs. Under fantasy names, you could choose dragon, fairy, elf etc. If I did an elvish design, I could name it "Arcaena" from the list below! Really fun site to explore.
Before You Go:
- What's in a Name? Darley's Travel Inspired Jewelry (explains nominative determinism - when someone named Pearl becomes a jewelry designer!)
- Make a Morse Code Name or Word Jewelry Tutorial
- Wire Writing Pendant Name How to Tips
- More Wire Name Writing Pendant Tutorials
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Pearl Blay
brooch
polymer clay
seasonal
supplies and displays
tutorial
video tutorial
Faux Ceramic Polymer Clay Flower Jewelry Tutorials Using Low Temperature Enamels
Enamels are usually applied on metals. But polymer clay artists have been trying out low temperature enamels on baked clay! The faux ceramic/enamel look is awesome. Check out the beautiful poppy polymer clay flower tutorial by Ludmila Bakulina. You could add pins to the back so you can wear these. Very appropriate for Remembrance or Veterans Day which is coming up.
Pearl Blay
earrings
tutorial
Front Facing Interchangeable Spiral Ear Wire Tutorial
Making a pair of interchangeable ear wires is one way to save money on precious metal wire! You could just slip dangles on and off as you wish. I've featured other design ideas before (see this post) but this one by wire artist, Rena Klingenberg is particularly striking because of the front facing spirals.
Pearl Blay
tips and tricks
How to Cut Memory Wire without Using Cutters
One way to ruin your flush cutters is to use them for cutting memory wire. I used big wire cutters and more recently bought memory wire cutters which are designed for the job. But there is another way as demonstrated by a Facet Jewelry instructor.
Pearl Blay
beadwork
home decor
tutorial
wire work
Pine Cone Bead and Wire Fall Ornament Tutorial
Is it the same for you? Fall is very late this year although it is cooling down where I am. Here is a Preciosa-Ornela tutorial on how to make a pine cone bead and wire fall ornament. These are constructed with 28 G (0.3 mm) wire Preciosa ripple and pip beads. Florist tape helps keep the bundle of twisted wire ends tidy.
Pearl Blay
necklace
tutorial
I've featured concrete jewelry before (see links below). These designs are great if you have leftover concrete from hardscaping garden projects. Lana Red's "gold" leaf concrete pendant tutorial on her blog, Lana Red Studio, has a neat embedded pin idea worth sharing.
Gold Leaf Concrete Pendant Tutorial with Embedded Pin Tutorial
Pearl Blay
feature designer
necklace
polymer clay
rings
Copper Electroformed on Polymer Clay Jewelry by Annie Laura Handmade
Copper is an incredibly versatile metal especially for jewelry making. Bonus, it is also inexpensive unlike some of the other precious metals. You can use wire and sheets. You can also etch it or as in the case of Annie Laura Handmade, deposit the metal on polymer clay via electroforming. See all her marvelous designs on her Instagram. She is also on Facebook.
Pearl Blay
book review
giveaway
Paper quilling is an old art. Thin strips of paper from the gilded edges of books were used in the Renaissance to decorate book covers and other religious items. The craft has become very popular of late. It is not hard to see why. Paper is inexpensive and quilling results in lovely intricate patterns reminiscent of fine metal filigree jewelry (see this featured designer) without having to solder wire!
Book Review and Giveaway : Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry
Pearl Blay
necklace
tutorial
video tutorial
wire work
3 Wire Wrapping Crystal Point Pendants Tutorials
Crystal point pendants are popular. However, they often do not have holes so some sort of "cap" is needed. Here are 3 wire wrapping crystal pendant tutorials to inspire. They vary in style and easy of making. Pick the one you fancy most! They make great gifts. The first one is by Aubrey Bouck. It is in two parts - Part 1 and Part 2
Pearl Blay
necklace
polymer clay
tutorial
How to Make a Polymer Clay String Art Pendant
Remember string art? That was popular a while ago. But you can incorporate this retro craft in modern designs. Donna Herron has an unusual tutorial where she added a little string art onto her textured polymer clay pendant.
Pearl Blay
necklace
tutorial
wire work
How to Make a Wire Wrapped Fidget Pendant Tutorial
Got the fidgets? Or know someone who is fidgety? Then you have to check out this clever wire wrapped fidget pendant tutorial by Emily van Leemput. She is a Dutch industrial design student at the Eindhoven University of Technology in Amsterdam.
Pearl Blay
tips and tricks
Pandora style beads and lamp work beads have large holes. These are great if you are inserting thick cord or chain through them. But if you don't, you'll need one of these 7 tips from Mylene Hillam of Mill Lane Studio to work with large hole beads in jewelry designs.
How to Work with Large Hole Beads
Pearl Blay
necklace
tutorial
wire work
Easy Caged Wire Wrapped Pendant Tutorial
I have featured some of Gloria's (Domestic Diva Online) wire work tutorials before (see links below). They are relatively easy to do and at the same delivers a contemporary touch. Her faux amber caged wire wrapped pendant tutorial can be used with many drilled gemstone nuggets. I like how she wire wraps her bead sideways.
Pearl Blay
giveaway
Winner of the Mastering Wirework Jewelry Book Giveaway
Wire work is always a popular technique. But when a masterclass book comes out, interest soars. So it was the case with last week's giveaway of Rachel Norris' book. It is one of the most outstanding wire jewelry project books I have seen for a long while. And many of you agreed. Aims said, "What got me with your review Pearl was that the book is over 300 pages long and it's for 15 projects? Wow! Each project must have extremely detailed instructions (and templates too? Oh my!)!"
Pearl Blay
brooch
earrings
feature designer
necklace
Amazing Leather Flower Brooches by Viola
Leather can be manipulated in many ways to become functional and decorative works. It can be dyed, painted, carved, stamped, perforated and so on. Viola, a leather jewelry designer from Moscow, Russia shows astonishing mastery of this craft through her amazing leather flower brooches.
Pearl Blay
beadinggem designs
cricut
die cutter
earrings
Halloween
Pearl's Designs
seasonal
tips and tricks
tool review
tools
tutorial
Die cutters like the Sizzix are useful for jewelry making - see this past tutorial of mine on how to make denim earrings where I put my Sizzix to use. But I wanted to do much, much more and not be limited by the dies available. So I did some research and decided on and bought my Cricut Explore (they now have newer models which are currently on sale). The Cricut machines could cut not just the typical paper and cardstock but fabric, leather, suede and so much more.
How to Make Shrinky Dinks Bat Earrings | Cricut Tutorial
Die cutters like the Sizzix are useful for jewelry making - see this past tutorial of mine on how to make denim earrings where I put my Sizzix to use. But I wanted to do much, much more and not be limited by the dies available. So I did some research and decided on and bought my Cricut Explore (they now have newer models which are currently on sale). The Cricut machines could cut not just the typical paper and cardstock but fabric, leather, suede and so much more.
Pearl Blay
rings
tutorial
video tutorial
wire work
4 Wire Crown Ring Tutorials for the Princess in Your Life!
Sometime ago, many of you were charmed with the Cinderella slipper and pumpkin coach wire wrapped pendant tutorials by Vietnamese wire artist, Lan Anh Handmade. Well, Cinderella became a princess so there must be a crown or two for her! The first 3 crown ring tutorials are by the same artist. I like this crystal tiara style very much along with the "crown jewels" a.k.a bicones !
Pearl Blay
beadwork
tutorial
video tutorial
Reversing Cellini Spiral Stitch Creates a Focal Area
Cellini spiral bead work is a wonderful multi-colored technique. Projects usually spiral continuously from one end of the piece to the other. But if the direction is turned, a reversing cellini spiral creates a focal area. Perfect for necklaces and bracelets. Designer Cheri Carlson demonstrates how to easily turn direction in this short Art Beads tutorial.
Pearl Blay
beadwork
earrings
tutorial
Bead Work and Tassel Earrings Tutorial
Tassel jewelry have been around forever. But lately, they have been trending hot! I simply love Cheri Carlson's wonderful tutorial where she combines a traditional diamond patterned brick stitched earrings with cord tassels! Sure beats doing the usual beaded fringe approach.
Pearl Blay
necklace
recycled jewelry
tutorial
Another Recycled Bra Underwire Jewelry Tutorial!
It has been quite a while since I wrote about a designer who uses unwanted bra underwires for her jewelry designs (and tutorial). Maya Kuzman, a crochet designer whom I have featured before detested underwires so she removes them and repurposes them in to something far more comfortable to wear!
Pearl Blay
earrings
metal work
tips and tricks
tutorial
wire work
Easy Wire Earrings Tutorial Uses Hammered Tabs Instead of Wire Wrapping
Kimberley Newman is a genius. Lots of people make wire wrapped earrings with single beads. But her tutorial has a crucial difference. Instead of using a finer wire like 26 G or 28 G to wrap the beads to the frames, she hammered tabs which are then simply folded over. Gives a different look, doesn't it?
Pearl Blay
feature designer
Halloween
wire work
Halloween Inspired Wire Work Jewelry Designers
It is that time of year again. Fun and creativity ensue during the Halloween season. Here is a great collection of noteworthy Halloween inspired wire work jewelry designers. First is this gorgeous gemstone studded wire wrapped pumpkin pendant by Jennifer Blackwell of Glowfly Designs.
Pearl Blay
book review
brooch
giveaway
necklace
wire work
Book Review and Giveaway : Mastering Wirework Jewelry
Rachel Norris is an acclaimed British wire work jewelry designer I have featured before. Her flora and fauna inspired pieces reflect the natural beauty of her native Cornwall. Her talent lies in her imaginative creativity which captures the forms of flowers and creatures with wire and beads.
Pearl Blay
beadwork
bracelet
tutorial
video tutorial
3 Easy Cubic Right Angle Weave Bracelet Tutorials
Are you trying to learn how to do cubic right angle weaves (cRAW)? Well this set of 3 easy cubic right angle weaves should get you started AND tweak your interest for more. The first one teaches the basic stitch. This beginner tutorial is by Bronze Pony Beaded Jewelry. I like how she added pearls at intervals to make the design more interesting.
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