Sometimes less is more..... and simple is better.
Yeah, it's all right to be little bitty, just like the song says.
More and more I'm finding that while the big, over the top pieces an artist makes get a whole lot of attention......it's the simpler, more wearable stuff that truly sells.
For example, the bracelets above are all very, very simple styles. They took me less than 40 minutes to make this morning---yes! all THREE of them. I used quality stampings and Beadsmith wire from B'sue Boutiques
The skinny bangle in silverware finish (which is fine silver three mils thick over the brass base and is the next best thing to antique sterling itself---and looks even better) was used on two of the styles. Find it here:
http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Fine-Silver-Finished-Skinny-Cuff-Make-Layers-of-Bangles-10905
The little bird charm is found here:
The other little dangle is salvaged from the end of a tiny spoon I sometimes use in my work. I'd cut the spoon to use in these pieces from last week's video. I just filed the piece, hole punched it, and hung it. Sweet!
The other bracelet is formed from a piece of stray chain I had on my workbench, a nice silverplated lobster clasp from B'sue Boutiques and this finding from the site:
You'll find that decorative piece I used in the front of the bracelet right here:
Here's a video, too, to help you with simple bracelets/manipulated stampings:
I'm going to challenge myself, from this day on, to see what I can come up with that is time as well as cost-effective to make....and share it with you right here!
Easy-peasy rocks. K.I.S.S. method! Ever hear of that?
Keep it simple, stupid. Not that you're stupid, but I feel a bit stupid....remiss in not coming up with this previously. Many artisan jewelry makers that I much admire, are masters at easy-peasy.
Tammy Powley (from About.com Jewelry Making) told me YEARS ago that what people really want is a project they can complete in less than two hours. Everyone wants to have that great feeling you get in saying, "I made it!"
And truth be told, most people are more comfortable in wearing simpler pieces. They may have a job where they cannot wear heavy pieces. They may have fibromyalgia (as I do) and need to wear lightweight pieces as heavy and full of pieces hurts their necks and wrists. A huge ring may not be practical. Earrings that are too long and dangly and too full of pieces and parts may catch on clothing and hair.
For those of us who sell our work, I'm thinking simpler pieces that take less time will yield more sales. Yep, work smarter....not harder. It can be simple and still be unique. THAT is the real challenge.
I feel like a window just opened....I'm jumping through it. Come with me!
Great post and I agree with " It can be simple and still unique"!
Posted by: Ingrid Anderson | December 17, 2013 at 05:45 PM