Archive for the 'jewelry' Category



A Handmade Gold Jewelry Business Can Be Rewarding

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

If you are good with your hands, enjoy making jewelry and understand how to work with gold, than trying your skills at handmade gold jewelry might be a good career choice. Gold jewelry is always popular with everyone. It is sometimes easier to work with than stones and beads and the residual is very rewarding. A handmade gold jewelry business is a good way to get a start in a higher end jewelry business. If you start out small and try to keep your overhead low, you should stay in business for a long time.

Expenses

The biggest expense you will have with a handmade gold jewelry business is the gold itself. You must find a gold broker and make a deal with them to buy your gold at the lowest price possible. Starting your business out of your home is another way to keep your expense down. There will be no need to pay rent or utilities somewhere when you can work in your home. You can begin advertising on your own website. There is a onetime expense in finding someone who can design your site, but everything can still be managed under one roof. The majority of your time and money can be spent on your handmade gold jewelry. You can always rent booths on the weekends at jewelry shows and other arts and crafts shows. This is a great way to sell inventory. People always are looking to buy jewelry at these shows. Your biggest expense here will be the booth rental fee and that is usually made up in the jewelry pieces you sell. Handmade gold jewelry is especially popular at these shows. People love to buy jewelry directly from the artists who make them.

Lucrative

A handmade gold jewelry business can be very lucrative and rewarding if marketed in the right manner. There are many genres of jewelry such as estate jewelry, vintage jewelry and couture jewelry. When you decide on a style for your handmade gold jewelry, then you need to brand yourself with it. Gold jewelry is always in demand and handmade gold jewelry is on top of the list. Handmade gold jewelry can look like pieces of art if marketed correctly. Selling to select jewelry stores is a good way to make yourself exclusive. As your name gets known, you can increase your prices and make yourself a tidy bundle. It takes some thought and a simple, but strict marketing plan, and the small handmade gold jewelry business that you began in your home will turn into something very big.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




A Handmade Jewelry Business Can Be Run Out Of The Home

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

It is becoming more and more popular for people to make and sell their own handmade jewelry. This custom jewelry making is more popular because of the increased popularity of businesses in the home. This is a great way for a stay at home mother to raise her children and a have career. She can make her jewelry during the week while caring for her children and then on the weekends she can sell her jewelry at craft shows, while dad or grandparents babysit.

Overhead

Providing a website is a good way to advertise handmade jewelry. You can manage your business on-line which can also be done at home. Handmade jewelry is a great business to start because you are able to keep your overhead very low. The majority of your budget can be spent on the jewelry itself. The biggest business expense other than the jewelry itself will be on the booth rental fees for the weekend shows. There are other ways to advertise the jewelry and you can decide on just how much money you want to put into it. You can join networking organizations, send out flyers and have an open house in your home to advertise your handmade jewelry.

Big Business

If you are very good at making your handmade jewelry you can turn it into a lucrative business. Many handcrafted jewelry makers have turned their jewelry into companies that make vintage couture jewelry, estate jewelry and custom designed jewelry for all styles. Semi-precious gemstones, crystal and genuine pearls are all favorites of custom handmade jewelry makers. These artisans are using the old to bring life back into contemporary jewelry pieces. There are indeed favorite handmade jewelry designers in every genre of jewelry design. Many use the old jewelry designs and incorporate contemporary jewelry pieces to bring life back into these pieces of jewelry. Most of the handmade jewelry is signed by the designer for authenticity which makes them worth even more money. There is also the jewelry that is sold mainly at in-home parties. These jewelry parties are a favorite with women because they can gather their friends over for a social evening and shop at the same time. This is another way to begin selling your own handmade jewelry line.

Handmade jewelry is an artistic hobby that is intricate and creative. It can be made into a very lucrative business if an artist is so challenged and needs a way to generate money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Indian Handcrafted Jewelry Is Very Authentic

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

In the southwestern part of the United States, in New Mexico and Arizona, there are many Indian artisans who make handcrafted Indian jewelry. This trade has been passed down through the generations from family to family and many times it is truly a family affair.. The love for this type of handcrafted jewelry still exists today and these authentic pieces of jewelry are just beautiful. Most of these handcrafted jewelry pieces are made from silver, copper and gold. Many different gemstones are used with these pieces, with turquoise being the most popular.

Big Business

Indian jewelry has become a large commodity for many shops selling Native American art in the Southwest. Handmade beaded jewelry is especially popular in the small jewelry shops in this part of the country. Many of the Indian reservations have formed their own companies to regulate and sell the handcrafted jewelry made by the Indians on the reservations. This handcrafted jewelry normally comes with a certificate of authenticity with the artists name or initials on the piece of jewelry. These companies will sell the jewelry to the different jewelry stores or trading posts and will do custom work for selected shops. The custom handcrafted jewelry can fetch a very high price tag. A customer can also design a piece of jewelry and give a drawing to the agent of the Indian jewelry company and they will have the piece of jewelry made for them. This is very big business in the Southwest and has made a great deal of money for the Indian reservations who have ventured into this handcrafted jewelry business.

Single Artisans

There are also some of the Indian artisans who sell their handcrafted jewelry on their own. You will see these artists sitting at a stand on the side of the road or in the town square in Santa Fe, New Mexico with their jewelry spread out in front of them. This handcrafted jewelry is very authentic and you are normally looking at the person who made it. Sometimes the sale of this jewelry goes to feed the families of the artists and is their only income. If you are looking for handcrafted Indian jewelry it is very easy to find in this part of the country. If it is a specific piece you are looking for, it is probably made by a particular tribe. You might have to search another part of the Southwest for an individual piece, but all of this jewelry is very accessible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Handmade Indian Beaded Jewelry Is Beautiful

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

In many areas of New Mexico and Arizona, there are many Indian artisans who are quite talented at handmade beaded jewelry. Many of these artisans are members of families that have passed their trade of jewelry making down through generations. Each of these artisans has their own style and signature with each piece of their jewelry. This handmade beaded jewelry has become quite well known in the Southwest and people go to this area to seek out these authentic artisans and their wares. The handmade Indian beaded jewelry is just beautiful and most pieces are one of a kind.

Money Making Trade

Handmade Indian beaded jewelry has become quite a hit for the many shops in the Southwest who sell Native American art. Handmade beaded jewelry is especially popular in the small specialty jewelry shops in this part of the country. These shops will contract with a particular Indian artisan so they can keep their unique handcrafted jewelry in their shop. They can commission this artisan to make or design special pieces just for them. This way each small jewelry shop will have its own unique jewelry designer. This has become quite lucrative for the artisans involved. Many times it is a family business so they can output several designs quickly because they have several members of the family working on the designs. The handmade beaded jewelry comes with a certificate of authenticity. The artists will put their initials or name on each piece of jewelry. This jewelry is made with beads that are made from gemstones, copper, turquoise, gold and silver. They are truly unique and beautiful pieces of art. A customer can also design a piece of jewelry and have the artisan create the piece. This is very big business in the Southwest and has made a great deal of money for the Indian artists and the Indian reservations.

On The Road

If you take a road trip to the Southwest you will see many Indian artisans selling their handmade beaded jewelry on the side of the road. Many of them will set up gas stations and some just park their trucks on the side of the road, spread out a blanket and display their jewelry. You will even find Indian artisans in the Grand Canyon sitting on rocks with their necklaces and earrings for sale. This handmade beaded jewelry is very authentic and is usually this person’s only source of income. Many times it is a grandmother or grandfather who is still trying to find some way to contribute to his family’s income by selling his handmade beaded jewelry.

 

 




Unique Handcrafted Jewelry Is An Art

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

The business of making unique handcrafted jewelry has become very lucrative for the jewelry makers that are talented. Most people are seeking jewelry that is unique, unusual and something that no one else will own. Unique handcrafted jewelry is an art in itself. It is beautiful jewelry and is different from the mass marketed jewelry that is made by machines and is sold to stores around the world. There are factories in China who make millions of pieces of jewelry that is sold to stores everywhere. So, it is very appealing to find something new and fresh in unique handcrafted jewelry.

Lucrative

A jewelry artist who starts a business out of his home is very smart. He can advertise his product on the internet and keep a very low overhead. He can keep his expenses down and concentrate on his unique handcrafted jewelry. Once his jewelry has become known, he can raise his prices and market to select jewelry stores. His unique handcrafted jewelry can always be found by new and old customers in these select jewelry shops. Unique handcrafted jewelry is a very lucrative business for these specialty jewelry makers. They have a feel for what people are interested in seeing and they begin their own trend setting jewelry styles. These artisans have a knack for knowing which stones fit specific designs and metals. An artisan who makes unique handcrafted jewelry is very talented. This jewelry becomes a piece of art to the owner. It can also be sold as a piece of art and makes the designer a very rich person if they know how to market themselves.

Indian Jewelry

The different Indian reservations have formed companies to help regulate and sell their unique handcrafted Indian jewelry. This has become quite a big business in the Southwest. The companies contract to specific Native American art stores and have made quite a bit of money for the reservations. Most people that travel on the road and stop at these tourist centers don’t care who made the jewelry, as long as it is Indian jewelry and it is pretty jewelry. Other Indian artisans have contracted with small shops in the Southwest and have become more exclusive in their designs. This unique handcrafted jewelry is absolutely beautiful jewelry. It becomes handcrafted designer jewelry and people will come from all areas to a specific shop to buy this artists’ jewelry. The unique handcrafted jewelry business is a very specific type of business and has made millionaires out of many of its artists.

 

 

 

 

 

 




Handcrafted Designer Jewelry Can Be Pricey

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

There are all kinds of jewelry designs in the world market of jewelry. Handcrafted designer jewelry is one of the most unique and popular styles of jewelry on the market today. If you go into any upscale jewelry store you will see several lines of handcrafted designer jewelry. These designers are exclusive to only a few of these jewelry stores. This exclusivity is what makes them so popular and also makes them very rich designers.

Stones

Many of these handcrafted jewelry designers use precious stones in their designs. It is not unusual to find a beautiful handcrafted designer jewelry ring that is encrusted in sapphires or diamonds or both. These designers know how to work with these stones and metals. They understand what color works with another and they understand the brilliance and clarity of the stones. These handcrafted jewelry designers are very adept at creating beautiful handmade gold jewelry. These pieces of gold jewelry are pieces of art and are normally a one of a kind piece. But it is the intricate work they do with diamonds and other precious stones that give the handcrafted jewelry designers the glory they deserve. They work with only the best stones and quality of gold and silver. The price tag that handcrafted designer jewelry requires is usually worth the amount. When you are getting a perfect diamond in a ring that is designed specifically for you it becomes a valuable piece of art to the owner.

Business

A handcrafted designer jewelry business can be started at home. This is a good place to start because your studio is normally in the home and you can keep your overhead low. You can choose your method of advertising and have private showings or show your jewelry on the internet. Your jewelry business becomes truly your own when you work it out of your home. You can slowly grow the business this way and take your time in choosing a marketing plan. Handcrafted designer jewelry is not hard to market and it is a commodity that never loses interest from the consumer. If you are talented in designing handcrafted jewelry, then the market is wide open. Starting your business small and slow is the best method. You can slowly begin to raise your prices when the popularity of your jewelry increases. Before you know it, the major jewelry companies and specialty stores will be calling you to exhibit in their showrooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Hottest and Most Functional Trendy Fashion Jewelry

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

Jewelry has always performed numerous functions. It can express your personality, pull the look of your ensemble together, and enhance the clothing you are wearing. Engagement and wedding rings can serve as an expression of unending love and devotion. On the other hand, the purpose of trendy fashion jewelry is more or less always about the accessorizing of an exclusive look. Though the fashion industry often sets the stage for the seasonal styles of trendy fashion jewelry, there really are no set rules when it comes to choosing trendy fashion jewelry that’s right for you. There are a few tips that can help you make the most of your jewelry in terms of accentuation and functionality.

Tips for Choosing the Right Trendy Fashion Jewelry for Your Needs

Choker necklaces can add an appealing, sexy look to low cut tops. Conversely, tops with a higher neck can be accentuated with longer necklaces. An extremely long necklace that is worn in multiple strands has become a hot piece of trendy fashion jewelry. If you have toned arms you can draw attention to your curves with a fashionable cuff that wraps around your upper arm. This will create a sensual look and work well with any strapless or sleeveless top or tank top. A belly chain is a trendy accent for those with toned abs.

You can add an elegant, sophisticated look to your ensemble with a classic strand of pearls, burnished gold or silver jewelry, or even a classy cameo brooch. Chandelier earrings are a popular trendy fashion jewelry item right now. These dangling earrings look great no matter what they are paired with. Big rings have also become another trendy fashion item and have been sported by numerous starlets all over Hollywood. If big rings aren’t for you, you can always opt for another sizzling style, stacked bangle bracelets and the more the better! If you want to keep your jewelry looking magnificent, be sure to store it in a high-quality jewelry box. Your jewelry pieces should be properly separated to avoid scratching and damaging each other.

This year’s trendy fashion jewelry features some scorching colors. Yellow is one of the hottest winter and fall jewelry colors this year, making yellow topaz, citrine and canary diamonds outstanding additions to your jewelry collection. Favored shades also include pink and purple making pink topaz and amethyst excellent fall and winter choices. Trends show that blue will remain popular shade adding the choices of sapphire, blue topaz, tanzanite, aquamarine, and iolite to the spectrum of trendy fashion jewelry. Other colors making a comeback this fall include chocolate brown, gray, and pumpkin. The bottom line is, no matter what your taste, there is bound to be a trendy piece of jewelry out there just for you. Have fun with you fashion, wear colors you love, and choose pieces that make you feel confident when you wear them.




The Lavish History of Prehistoric Jewelry

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

The embellishment of jewelry has been implemented by mankind since the dawn of time. It was one of the earliest forms of body adornment and Nassarius shell beads as old as 100,000 years old have recently been found. Jewelry has been used for both decoration and functionality. Throughout history, it has been used for pinning clothes together, storage of items such as coins, and to display status and wealth. Most cultures had a treasure-trove of wealth consisting of mainly of ornaments and precious gems. It also used to be customary for families to give dowries with the betrothal of their daughters, frequently including jewelry.

Jewelry During the Early Ages

Some of the earliest crafters of jewelry were the Cro-Magnons around 40,000 years ago. Jewelry fashioned from bone, teeth, stone, mammoth tusk, and sometimes mother-of-pearl were commonly found in the graves of the Cro-Magnons. Simple necklaces and bracelets were suspended on pieces of animal sinew or string. Carved bone was also used to hold clothing together. Copper was first used about 7,000 years ago.

The Ancient Egyptians were the first established jewelry makers. Between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians began working with gold which they favored over other metals. Even though they had abundant access to gemstones, the Egyptians preferred to use colored glass pieces rather than precious gems. Since the colors used in the jewelry were very significant and important, they had very specific formulations for creating glass that was exactly the desired color. For instance, green symbolized fertility and new growth for crops and red was used to satisfy Isis’ need for blood. Egyptian jewelry was normally crafted in workshops attached to palaces or temples.

In Greece, jewelry was predominately worn by women on special occasions and for public appearances. It was often given as a gift and was used to show social status, wealth, and beauty. The Greeks used gold and gems, especially emeralds, amethysts, and pearls. Later, silver, ivory, bronze, clay, and other gems were also utilized. Some of their jewelry was religiously symbolic while others were supposed to grant the wearer protection or supernatural powers. Some of today’s fashion jewelry got its start in Ancient Greece. Cameos, for example, were first created by Greek craftsmen.

The Romans were also renowned for their contributions to the art of jewelry making. The brooch, which is still popular today, was originally created by the Romans to secure clothing together. They were known for their use of imported materials such as sapphires, amber, emeralds, and diamonds. Roman women wore a lot more jewelry than men, usually men wore only one finger ring though some wore rings on every finger. Rings with carved stone were used to produce a wax seal on documents, a custom that continued with noblemen and kings through the middle ages. Although jewelry evolved over the years, and is still evolving to this day, the foundation of its embellishment and functionality began in ancient times. We owe a lot to our primordial predecessors who paved the way in gold and exquisite jewels.




Exquisite, Practical, and Affordable Fashion Jewelry

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

Fashion jewelry is sometimes referred to as costume jewelry because it began in the form of jewels pasted onto theatrical costumes. Because the jewels were pasted on the costumes, they were once referred to as paste. Over the years, a wide variety of materials have been used to create beautiful and often unique pieces of jewelry. Brass, nickel, pewter, and lead are some of the metals that were incorporated in the production of fashion jewelry. Gold and silver can be electroplated over brass or copper to create an inexpensive piece that appears more valuable and sometimes sterling silver is used. Lucite, rhinestones, crystals, simulated gemstones, semiprecious stones, lab created gemstones, and wood are frequently used to make fashion jewelry.

Fashion jewelry is regularly created in the image of more expensive designer jewelry. Jewelry designers know that people want to have pieces of jewelry like those they see celebrities wearing. The problem is that most people cannot afford the lavish designer brand prices. The designers of fashion jewelry have perfected the art of creating pieces that strikingly resemble their designer counterparts, for a fraction of the cost. If you flip through the pages of modern fashion magazines, you will see numerous articles that showcase both jewelry and clothes that could pass for the most exclusive designs at a much more reasonable price.

Since fashion jewelry is so inexpensive, you can easily purchase a lot more pieces to complement your entire wardrobe. Unlike expensive designer jewelry, fashion jewelry does not necessitate the purchase of costly insurance. Fashion jewelry can be found in discount and department stores nationwide. You can also find exception deals on countless breathtaking and unique pieces of jewelry online. You are sure to find styles and designs you love that look just as amazing as designer jewelry.

Caring for Your Fashion Jewelry

Although fashion jewelry may be less expensive, you’ll want to ensure that it retains its stunning, brand new appearance. The life of your fashion jewelry can be extended for many additional years if you refrain from getting it wet. If it is gotten wet it is likely that it may turn colors or even rust. It is also advantageous not to wear fashion jewelry all the time. It is best worn on occasions and taken off afterwards. Leaving it on for extended periods of time can cause fashion jewelry to change colors due to the acidity of our bodies. Fashion jewelry is beautiful, less costly, and can last a surprisingly long time provided that it is cared for properly.




Costume Jewelry: The Fascinating Tale of Fabulous Fakes

Wednesday 27 August 2008 @ 10:23 pm

Costume jewelry made its appearance in the United States in the 1920s. The term Fabulous Fakes refers to Antique American Costume Jewelry typically made with colored glass stones, rhinestones, gold plated metal, or sterling silver. Miriam Haskell and other designers began selling their jewelry pieces around 1925. Between the 20s and 30s, numerous European immigrants began crafting their exquisite jewelry in Providence, Rhode Island as well as Chicago and New York.

Costume jewelry gained popularity around the 1940s when Hollywood movie stars started wearing it in both films and real life. One of the most renowned designers of that time was Joseff of Hollywood. Other popular designers whose costume jewelry is sought by modern collectors include Hattie Carnegie, Eisenberg Originals, Nettie Rosenstein, Ciner, and Napier. Pieces from the 30s to the mid-fifties are the hardest for modern collectors to find. Pieces that have been marked or signed by the designer are exceedingly desirable as well as valuable.

The collecting of vintage costume jewelry has become a popular trend these days. Many antiques pieces have been known to sell for thousands of dollars. Classic costume pieces have become a bold fashion statement. Many of today’s celebrities favor costume jewelry, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore, Nicolette Sheridan, Diane Keaton, and Madonna, just to name a few. Who could blame them? Antique costume jewelry features vibrant, bold colors and a larger than life scale. Attentive craftsmanship, originality, and striking attractiveness are typical of vintage pieces.

Tips for the Budding Costume Jewelry Collector

When searching for antique pieces, check to make sure pin clasps work because they are very difficult to fix. Also choose pieces in which the metal has not started turning green. Avoid purchasing pieces with missing stones as they will not be easy to replace. Searching antique fairs, garage sales, and flea markets may turn up exceptional deals on vintage costume jewelry. Church bazaars are another great place to find great deals on pieces, usually well kept jewelry that has been locked away by someone’s grandmother or aunt.

Make some memories of your own to share with the future generations of your family, buy discount costume jewelry. By building your own collection of magnificent modern pieces, you are sure to have a least a few that will one day just as valuable and desirable as the antique pieces sought by collectors today. If it’s in your budget, it would be advantageous to buy a few pieces from designers like Armani and Prada, especially their couture collections. These pieces are extremely original and are made in only small quantities.




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