How to Purchase Handmade Jewelry

Everyone here at Love My Art Jewelry wants to wish you a happy and safe 4th of July weekend! This is normally Mary Jane's slot in the rotation, but she asked if I would mind expanding on a post I wrote for my own blog, Soul to Substance, regarding what a buyer needs to look out for when purchasing handmade jewelry. Following is a modified post, where I include some more information gathered from the rest of the crew here. Feel free to share this with those you think will find useful, as it gives some great information to collectors of handmade jewelry, as well as beginning jewelry Indipreneurs!

Recently, I traveled to an open studio tour in the River Arts District in Asheville, North Carolina. Excited to see some new work, I walked around, and looked at the jewelry that was on display in various studios.  I noticed some things that a potential buyer not familiar with handmade jewelry might not immediately consider, but should, before they purchase their next fabulous pair of earrings or other handmade jewelry.

If you are going to purchase earrings, check to make sure that the end of the ear wire has been rounded off if the ear wires are handmade. Run your finger over the part that is inserted first into your ear to make sure there are no sharp edges.  An experienced jewelry designer will have filed it smooth or used a cup burr (as in the photo) to make sure that the ear wire has been rounded off.

Some beginning designers, due to inexperience, will forget to flush cut the ends of their ear wires and instead, leave a cut that resembles this shape < on the end of the wire.  This can cause micro tears in your earring hole and cause irritation or even an earring hole infection.

As for earring wire gauges, most designers use 20 gauge for their ear wires. This is the best gauge to use for a good, sturdy ear wire that won't end up warping after continued use.  If you have stretched earring holes, and you need a larger gauge ear wire, don't hesitate to ask the artist to swap out a pair of ear wires with some made in 18 gauge. I have also used 22 gauge on occasion for women that have smaller than average earring holes.

Most handmade earrings can also be modified with clip-ons.  It may take a few days to get them ordered, since most handmade jewelers won't have clip-ons in stock; but, it never hurts to ask if you can't wear pierced! Since I oxidize all of my jewelry, I need time to oxidize the clip-ons before I re-assemble the earrings. This allows for continuity to the earring design, even though I didn't make the clips myself. 

Which brings up another great point about earring design for beginning jewelry designers. A great pair of earrings will have continuity and balance with regards to the earring wire and the rest of the design. It can be distracting from a style perspective if the ear wire and the earring design compete for attention. A gold toned ear wire with sterling silver earrings, if not done in a very deliberate way, can look 'off' and might be why those earrings aren't selling!

If the earrings, bracelet or necklace you are eyeing is wire wrapped, again, run your finger around where the ends have been clipped off, and make sure that there are not any sharp edges or wayward wires sticking out. If there are, you can ask the designer to flush cut the wire right there for you, and can rest assured that your new treasure won't end up poking you in the neck or face if you happen to fall asleep in them. Most designers will have their pliers there for this reason, so don't be shy about bringing it up! We all miss things from time to time, especially as we are preparing for an intensive arts/crafts show!

If the earrings have a post, make sure that the post back is easy enough to take on and off.  If the ear backing nut is too tight, when you try and put them on, you might bend the post. That drives me nuts when a great pair of post earrings gets ruined because of this.  Jewelry designers, here is a great article explaining how to fabricate and strengthen a handmade ear post.

If your jewelry has a clasp, make sure that it is secured well to the rest of the piece, and practice opening and closing it too. If the clasp is handmade, make sure that the S-hook fits the connector jump ring snugly. If it's a bracelet, jiggle it around or pretend you are writing something on a desk to make sure it stays secure when it slides across a flat surface. Like a great pair of shoes, jewelry must move with your body and not fall off!

If you are purchasing oxidized (artificially antiqued) jewelry, ask the designer how to clean, polish and store it once you get it home. Also, ask to see if the jewelry has been treated with Renaissance Wax or another sealant.  When you put oxidized metal jewelry in a commercial cleaner, it will strip off the patina and will drastically alter the effects the designer was trying to convey. 

I normally tell my customers to just use some toothpaste and an old toothbrush to polish up any jewelry that the purchase from me, then rinse it. This will give the high points a great shine, and leave the recessed or oxidized areas alone.

When you purchase from a designer, ask them what their replacement policy or lost earring policy is if they have one.  Most of them will be happy to remake a favorite earring if it gets lost down the road so you can enjoy wearing your favorite pair. 

We wanted to share this information with those that purchase and appreciate handmade jewelry, as well as with new designers that are venturing into the world of selling their jewelry. I also wanted to emphasize why it's great to purchase handmade jewelry from artists and develop a relationship with them if they make a style of jewelry you love. We do this because we are passionate about our craft, and want to give you, the owner of our creations, the very best that we are capable of making. And we LOVE to talk about our work! Ask us questions, and we will do our very best to help educate you about the thought and inspiration behind our work!

guest post - david curoe

morning orbit

My name is Dave Curoe and I have a little shop on Etsy called DaddyDDesign.  My venture into jewellery design started when I fell in love with my wife, Megan.  I had never been in love before and shortly after I found myself wanting to express some kind of physical manifestation of the beauty I had recently incorporated in my life.  Corny I know, yes I am, she tells me all the time.  I tried a few things, painting, drawing and right about the time I started a machinist apprenticeship I gave jewellery a try.  I am naturally mechanically inclined and enjoy working with metals so this seemed like a good idea.  As the story goes there I was at my workshop, which was the balcony of a 17th floor apartment downtown Edmonton, experimenting with things like brass, steel, found objects, paper, etc.  I now have a proper workspace in my basement.

escher's bird

Since I started, my main focus was trying to find my unique style, something different than the myriad of other jewellery designers. I would have an idea, make it and almost before I could finish it I would have another idea and work on that.  Then something I thought was brilliant would flash in my mind and I would abandon everything and start on that.  Each idea I have seems to be completely unrelated to the previous one, and as such many of my pieces are all over the map design-wise.  I decided early on that I would not constrain my thought process and just let things flow naturally.  Sometimes designs would pop up out of nowhere, with no apparent influence, others would be inspired by very specific things.  I am greatly inspired by artists such as M.C. Escher, H.R. Giger, and others.  One day I was downtown and I looked up from below a building and saw how interesting the balconies appeared from the perspective of the street, that inspired me.  Random things like that.  I am inspired by patterns in nature, textures, science and math, science fiction, art deco and art nouveau, urban design, etc.  The list goes on and on.  One of my favourite influences is hip hop culture.

cadillac double ring

The Cadillac Double ring is a custom request piece that I made for a client who wanted to remember the car her grandfather drove, the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado.  This piece covers the entire span of four fingers when worn and is made of solid sterling silver.  This is a follow up to my first “grille double ring” which is a 1968 Chevrolet Impala, which I chose because of my affinity for lowrider car culture.   I love cars and automotive design and many of my pieces that relate to urban or hip hop culture use transportation as a subject, including bicycles.

wood grain texture pendant

The Wood Grain Texture pendant is an example of my exploration into science and shapes found in nature.  Organic and flowing, the elevated rifts on this pendant exaggerate the visual pattern of the grain, adding to the experience of the texture when handled and viewed.  This piece has also been interpreted as watermark texture and even a representation of outer space with the ripples being rings of a galaxy or nebula.  I found it immensely interesting how natural patterns repeat from the microscopic to the cosmic scale and how we each can interpret different things when these patterns are reduced to a texture.

swagger double ring

As an example of how my ideas may go on a serious tangent are the Acrylic Double Rings. Having recently upgraded a tabletop milling machine to computer control, I wanted to explore what other materials could be used to create jewellery.  After playing around a bit I discovered for myself that acrylic had great potential as a jewellery material.  While I know that acrylic had been used as a jewellery material for many years, I wanted to see if I could apply some of my more contemporary ideas to the medium.  After making the first ring, I loved the result.  Clear acrylic rings when polished have many very interesting qualities.  Perfectly polished they look like glass or crystal and sort of play tricks on the mind in the way they refract light and feel weightless.  I have much more experimenting to do with acrylic love that it’s a material unlike silver in every way.

acrylic ring

The name of my shop, DaddyDDesign, is often repeated in a curious way when people first hear it and I’m sure they wonder why that’s what I chose.  I can say confidently that “DaddyD” is my alter ego.  DaddyDDesign is a nostalgic homage to my past. It represents my search to figure out who I was when I was younger.  It mirrors my search to figure out my unique design style now.  I grew up in Clareview, north Edmonton, which is widely regarded as the “other side of the tracks” (it wasn’t that bad).  I do admit to doing things like tagging lame things on public property when I was young.  Its what I felt I had to do.  I was DaddyD.  Enough said about that.

three elements

I feel very fortunate to be able to have a little shop, and an internet presence to display my creations.  My hope is that I’ll continually improve my techniques, discover new ones, and push the line of what I think I can come up with just a bit further with each piece I make.  Thank you!

Dave Curoe

DaddyDDesign

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visit david here:

etsy - please note that dave is on vacation until july 9th, his shop will reopen then... in the meantime, look through his sold items!

flickr 

squidoo

Polyvore

Staci L. Smith
Have you heard of this site, Polyvore?


It is all about fashion.  Now, I'd like to say I am strictly an artist, creating the things that come from my soul alone.  But, I am not.  I make things that would look fab with my new skirt, or to match my new purse, ect.......


When I was younger, I loved the mall (oh the horror, I can't stand it now).  I loved making imaginary outfits from the tops and pants, to the purses and shoes.


Now there is a place to do this, and its call Polyvore.  I guess I am late on the bandwagon for this, but OH, I am in love.


 Why do I write about this here, on Love my Art Jewelry?  Because look what you can do!  This can be a great tool to promote your jewelry, to create an image for it, and to show people how it can look with a complete outfit.  I know for me, with my jewelry being a bit bold, and at times, off the wall, people can be intimidated, saying, "I have no idea what I'd wear that with".  Now they can.

Purple Dreams by stacilouise featuring twist jewelry

I created this to match my necklace.

And this one.....

Sea Side Set by stacilouise featuring a long jersey skirt

And this one................

Gorgeous Grey by stacilouise featuring flat shoes

 I am still new at this, and obviously no collage artist, but its fun, and I will be using it in the future.


Thanks so much to the Bohemian Inspired Weekend Blog event for introducing me to Polymovre and showing me how it can be used as a business tool.

Festively Inspired

Julie Holmes

This past weekend I attended the La Jolla Festival of the Arts.  I went there specifically to meet and say hi to fellow Grains of Glass member and sculptress/enamelist extraordinaire Delia DeLapp.  Delia inspires me.  She is a tiny little young thing and artistically it seems she lets nothing get in her way.  Need a bigger kiln?  She builds one.  Client wants big?  Go Bigger.  Need a new skill?  Go learn it. I don't see fear in her, like the fear in me that holds me back.  Maybe she asks herself the same "what if's" that I do...but if so, she doesn't let it show.  Her work is gorgeous, bold and courageous, like her.

I chose some other favorites from the show to share with you.Justin Coopersmith  His work is exactly what I'm drawn to. Color, glitz, texture, whimsy, fun...a feast for the eyeVigallart, a collaboration of Ric, Susan and Tim Vigallon.  3D metal art...again, right up my alley.  Shiny metal, gorgeous color and fun whimsy.  A man with a plasma torch...and look what he can create with it...stunning.

Then there was Suzanne Spalding glass art.  Beautiful designs, gorgeous colors, and again that fun and whimsy. I will never again think of fused glass as strictly little boring ashtrays and platters.

What did I learn?  There is more beautiful art out there than you can imagine.  Art shows are expensive and the food isn't that great.  The things I like the most are expensive (of course).  People at shows are having fun.  I like being around people that are having fun.  There's nothing like sunshine, happy people and art to make you want to go home and create.  Have you been to an art show lately?

guest post - seth apter

Community Rules

 Contexture - Seth Apter, Bridgette Gurzon Mills,  Jen Worden

For me, art has always been about community.  I do not aspire to be the type of artist that is alone in the studio, working away in isolation.  I find that my connections with other people are fuel for the creative fire.  Of course, there are times when I lose myself completely when making art and wouldn't even notice if somebody were standing right next to me.  But in between my creative projects, I find myself once again seeking inspiration from and through others.  

Inner Works - Seth Apter, Supria Karmakar, Jill Zaheer, Roxanne Evans Stout,

Veronica Funk, Rita Vindedzis

My entrance into the world of art was initially social, in 2000 I met an artist quite serendipitously and we began a mail art relationship, although it wasn't until several years later that I even became aware of that label.  Before that time, I had no interest in making art.  After that time, art making became a part of my life.

Lost and Found - Seth Apter, Julie Prichard, Lynne Hoppe

The social aspect of being an artist continued as I began to explore the opportunities available on the computer.  Initially, I joined a number of online art groups, where art was made collaboratively.  I then discovered blogs, which are all about connecting, commenting and community.  If I had discovered the world of art at an earlier time, I truly believe that my path would have been completely different.

The Winds of Change - Seth Apter, Roxanne Evans Stout

It seemed natural when I set out to create my own blog in 2007 that my focus would be social in nature.  Within just a few months I began an online collaborative project called The Pulse, a survey of the online artistic community that sought to connect artists and art lovers.  Five years later there have been 5 online versions of The Pulse, with the current edition made up of nearly 150 artists.

Nature Journal - Seth Apter, Sarah Whitmire

During those years, I also have worked collaboratively on quite a large number of projects with small groups of artists.  The images of art accompanying this post were all created as part of collaborations.  I have also developed and hosted a number of large-scale, international collaborations as well, including Disintegration Collaboration (DisCo).

Self Contained - Seth Apter, Vivian Paans, Stephanie McAtee

All of these experiences led me to the opportunity to publish my first book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed.  Released in March 2012 by North Light Books, The Pulse of Mixed Media presents the words and artworks of more than 130 artists in a format that allows the reader to truly get in touch with the heart and soul of the artistic community. 

I know I am not alone in the inspiration I find from my connections with others.  Whether it is through emails, blog hopping, website watching, book reading, or art making, I am the artist I am today because of the bigger group of artists that I am a part of.  So, fellow artists... what do you get from being a member of our community?

The Gift - Seth Apter, Jill Zaheer

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you can find Seth here:

blog

facebook

twitter
etsy

if you are interested in learning how to create mixed media surface techniques, seth has video tutorials coming out - you can see the preview here

The Pulse of Mixed Media is available at Amazon

Look Who's Strutting Their Stuff!!!

Tons of beautiful design in our Flickr Group this week! Make sure you go over and see all of the mind blowing pieces that are being made! Also, a side note to make sure you read the rules of the group, please make sure you familiarize yourself with our Flickr Group guidelines! We'd hate to not feature beautiful work!


By Quimera Designs
About this piece: I'm not quite sure where the inspiration for this piece came from. I think I had this shape at the back of my mind, probably from some building. I knew I wanted to use 3 layers, and I knew I wanted the stone to "rise" above the back layer. The rhodocrosite was a natural choice because browns and pinks are just such an elegantly beautiful combination. It's quite a large piece - 2,5 inches from top to bottom and also across at the widest point. But I love big and bold jewelry - although I'm quite short - can't imagine what I'd do it I were tall!

by Kirsi Luo
About this piece: queen flowers ...made of etched copper and enamel

By All Wired Up Jewelry Designs
About this piece: Anticlastic Sterling Cuff- Patterned, Oxidized Another attempt with the rolling mill and anticlastic forming- this time I didn't lose the pattern during forming and planishing!

Are you ready to strut your stuff?? Check out the sidebar for directions, and the EXCELLENT prizes for this month. **Remember, to give a description of your thought process, while creating your jewelry or beads/components. We really want everyone to share their creative thinking. And a description is necessary to be in the prize running.** Thanks, as always, for creating and supporting "handmade". 

HIstorical Meaning

by Barbara Bechtel

Throughout history, many religions and cultures have used jewelry as a means of imparting cultural and religious symbols and patterns into their work. However, you don't have to be a world traveler or an anthropologist to find inspiration for your own artisan made jewelry. The internet and your local library offer a wealth of research options to find meaningful and beautiful symbols to inspire your own work....

Here are just a few that have inspired me over the years....

 The Maasai women have long been known for their intricate beaded designs and body modification.  Originally, the delicate beads and their colors came from traditional means such as bone, stone, and horn but lost favor when trading with Europe and they were able to gain access to larger quantities of their now favored opaque Czech glass.

Tradtional Japanese Netsuke and their counterparts, Ojime and Inro, were intricately carved adornments for the obi. Generally serving as a closure (much like a button) for a small pouch, this unique art form is still a popular craft and art form today. Traditionally, they depicted popular animals, deities, nature, and even professions or popular subjects of the day.

You need not look any further than your own personal religious beliefs to find beautiful symbols. To expand on this idea, consult historical and religious texts or references to find variations of symbols through out history. In addition to the traditional symbols, look for other symbolic references in the stories of different religions, in example the rainbow in Christianity or the Hamsa in many different religions.

Indigenous cultures and tribes throughout the world often used symbols in their writings, weavings and jewelry. Research into different groups can not only inform your work but also enlighten you about art history!


Here are some additional references to get you started:

PBS: Craft in America : Not only does this series research the rich history of American Craft; many episodes highlight artists working in traditional methods and symbology of their cultural heritage.

Signs and Symbols in Christian Art: This book is a wonderful reference for traditional symbols used throughout art history. Also a great reference if you enjoy western art history.

Religious-Symbols.net: Is a great basic site that overviews different religious symbols and their meaning. A great jumping point for your research.

If you have any wonderful references, I'd love to hear them below!

it's a new book blog celebration

mary jane dodd

by lorelei eurto and erin siegel

remember making bracelets from threads as a child and teen - friendship bracelets, macrame with beads?

well, the concept has grown up with us and here is a book full of projects that inspire using leather, cording & fibers... 

beadingdaily.com is hosting a weekend celebration replete with a generous giveaway that includes playing over at polyvore.com... 

stop by and get to hear from the authors, contributors and talented participating designers... there are 4 of us here at lmaj who are involved - you will be able to hear from barbara, staci and stacie and i! all of the links are at the kick-off site...

kick-off: beadingdaily.com

book available here and here

ebook available here

The joy and pain of SPECIAL ORDERS

                                                                                                                        by Kelli Pope

    Sigh.........    I've always had such mixed emotions about special orders.   Some come with  free artistic  range, which is WONDERFUL, while others are very specific in their desired design and outcome.  The former gives me great joy. The latter, for some reason, usually fills me with anxiety and procrastination.

At my last show, 2 weeks ago, I received 2 such orders.    A longtime customer was thrilled to bring me a little sack of beads she'd purchased in Arizona.  Beautiful, matte raku beads.  She said she had never purchased beads in her life, but when she saw them, she KNEW I would make her something special.  She had no specifications other than length of her necklace.  Otherwise, she told me to "do your thing"...."I trust you".... "I know I'll love it".   :o)    What a wonderful affirmation.   I was thrilled to take on this order.  

  I was able to incorporate some shinier bronze raku beads I had on hand with some of my metalwork, and a little leather to create her pieces.    I LOVE how they turned out, and was thrilled to give them to her today.   She was so excited, she couldn't wait to call her best friend, who is also a customer of mine.   YAY!!!!   Mission accomplished.  

One down, one to go..... 

The 2nd special order was a little tougher.   It came from a vendor I often see at shows.  Of COURSE, I want to make her happy, but given a specific design outcome, I of course was nervous.  She wanted a short, choker type necklace of chunky, orange beads, with just a simple clasp or link in it.  No pendant or chain.  She saw a bead she liked, that was in a bracelet I made.  The bead was not one of mine.    Hmmmm......

Ok.... so I finally got around to tackling the beads earlier this week.  When I pulled them out of the kiln this morning, I was pretty pleased with the outcome.  It was the first time I combined glazes (yellow & orange). 

Tonight, I finished the necklace, just in time to take with me to my show tomorrow, and deliver it to her.  HOPEFULLY, she'll love it.    This project took working outside of my rustic, natural, neutral colored box, but I believe I met her criteria.       Strange how when we work outside of our comfort zone, we question the finished product.  Will she like it?   Do I like it?   hmmmmm...... I still haven't decided on this one, while the first order gave me no pause WHATSOEVER to deliver.  I knew she'd be as thrilled as I was!  

How hard is it for you to work outside of your comfort zone? 

If at first you don't suceed........

 by Staci L. Smith

Try another approach.  At least thats what I had to do this time, because I have NO time to lose.  With the sea glass festival this weekend, and not enough sea glass jewelry made, I am working around the clock.  I really wanted to make more sea glass bezels, since I only have  a few stored away, but alas, they were just too time consuming, and not working out for me.

I had all the backs cut out already and textured, so I thought, what else can I do to secure the glass to these.  So, I wire wrapped and riveted glass to the backs.  Know what?  I love them.

Here are a few of the new designs.  They get more ethnic, and tribal as I go. I really hope people want to dress like gypsy, tribal sea side princess's.

So I am happy my bezels didn't work out, because it took me in a new direction that I am really enjoying.

What kinda road bumps have you encountered that sent you in a new and good direction?

Interested in Making Glass Beads?

Taking on a new art form is a exciting prospect. I know when I first saw glass beads at a local fine art show I was ready to sign up as soon a possible. The next week I did just that.

 My first class was a 6 week course and covered very little and while it hooked me, as I look back, it was sorely lacking in information. 

I left the first day and while I was driving home I started feeling nauseous and very light headed. After reading "Making Glass Beads" by Cindy Jenkins I found out I was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. This was due to a bad ventilation system in the studio where I was taking classes. 

I also was floored by the lack of experience the instructor had and how little he knew about how to make the basic bead forms. Soon my classmates and I started to figure out things on our own and taught each other. 

So if you are interested in making glass beads and want to take a class here are some suggestions:

1) The best resource on studios and what should be taught in a class is the International Society of Glassbeadmakers or ISGB. 
If you go to the site and click on the Education link it will give you 
tons of info.


2) Do your research. If you can, visit the studio. Ask how many years the teacher has been teaching. I know some situations were the teacher was a student just a few month ago. Make sure the instructor has been making glass beads for a while. Ask to speak to a couple of past students to get some feedback. 

3) Read! Here are some good books to read before you start.

Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins
Passing the Flame by Corina Tettinger
The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking by Kimberly Adams

For those of you out there who are interested please don't hesitate to contact me. I am here to help.