Jewelry Making Outside The Box

A Big Truth: You Must Have a Product in Order to Market It

 

 

(photos found at Pinterest.  Top, scienceandsociety.com uk,  middle home.kpn.nl,  third, no attribution for the vintage photo was found).

 

These photos have one big truth in common:    Sellers must have a product.  

 

Why sure!  Elemental, you say!

 

Why is it, then, that so many new designers get tripped up on the infinite number of  classes offered and books written about social media, entrepreneurship, and marketing?   Over and over I see one after another taking limitless classes on the business end of things....but never getting their product quite ready.   I think they have somehow become convinced that they've got to have all of that down, first.    Gotta have all the ducks in a row.

 

Okay, I'm not ragging on those courses.   To be sure, I have taken a few of them myself, and they have been very helpful!   They are helpful even though I have had a product and been a busy seller for well over 25 years.    I never fool myself into thinking I can't do it better.  I like to hear another opinion.  

 

I had my jewelry design line in the 90's.  My look has expanded but my style remains mixed media/assemblage with a strong vintage foundation.   Pinterest and books on vintage jewelry are my constant source of new inspiration.   Ways of selling have changed distinctly since I had my line, so while my designer identity is still in place, I find I do need help with the new algorhythms of social media.

 

Interestingly, Wikipedia describes an algorhythm as "  is an unambiguous specification of how to solve a class of problems. Algorithms can perform calculation, data processing and automated reasoning tasks".   Really?   Unambiguous?  HA!   They seem to be more of an indescribable enigma none of us will ever master.  There is something new daily.   Yes,  I think that's what is stopping any number of us from moving forward.   JUST. TOO. MUCH.  

 

And...feeling beaten before we even get started.  

 

Did you notice that I said that my designer identity is already in place?   Step back and think, do you know what yours is?  Have you considered it?    Do you know yet what your product will be, what it will look like, how you will make it?

 

 

There would be no need of a cart, no need of a horse, no need of advertising, except for what is IN that cart.   You can have all the marketing experience in the world, but if your creative act is not pulled together first, if you have no idea where you are going with your jewelry making, and you have not made any collections or developed an identity through your work....that's what you've got.   You've got a horse and a cart,  but nothing to sell and no idea really what your wares will look like.   You've no clue on how they will present to the public, because you don't have anything concrete to show anyone.

 

In effect, you've got the cart before the horse.   Obviously, that doesn't work.

 

Maybe you think you have to go to school to be a jewelry designer?  Must you have endless courses, seminars, continuing education before you begin?   A certificate, something on paper,  before you will feel legit enough to be taken seriously?

 

No.    Classes never hurt....but no, no, no.  A hundred times no.

 

It all starts with admiration of a design style, passion, a desire to create.   What gets your notice?   What colors do you favor?   Whose work do you admire?   Are you observant?   Do you notice light, color, flow?

 

Start with a journal.  Sketch your ideas, write them down.   If you have a phone where you can record notes, do that when you see something that strikes you.   Record your feelings and take photos of what you see that you love, and save them someplace.   Secret Pinterest boards are an awesome place to do that, by the way!

 

You Tube videos can show you the skill rudiments.   Try them, practice them, get them down and build upon them and see where your hands and heart take you.   Don't start out thinking that you have to have all the best tools and equipment, either.   Start with a decent set of pliers, flush cutters, jump ring turning tool, a hammer, a bench block, easy peasy stuff.   Many of the best design lines require little else than that, anyway!   You will discover that as you go along.   Streamlined and simple makes more money for a designer, and sells more work.  

 

If you want to sell your work to many people, you have to come up with something that they will want to wear.   Investigate, look at the fashion magazines, check out the Pantone colors of the year and other color palettes, make your own palettes and see what you think.  Think about who your customer will be, and then think about what makes you happy as well....and play to that.

 

You'll need a dedicated work space of some sort.   It can be very small at first, even the dining room table if need be.   You'd be surprised how many lines began on a dining room table!    But in time you will want a place that is all your own, where you can make a mess and leave it.

 

 

So be thinking about that, if you don't have something set up, already.

 

 

Make it a place of delight.  FUN.   Your happy place.   A place where you enjoy working.   Organize it so that you know where all your basics can be found quickly.

 

 

I like this one but there are any number of them out there....do a little shopping and you will find the perfect one for your needs.  Sometimes at the beginning, all you need is ONE cart that rolls.

Be patient.   It couldn't be truer:  Rome was not built in a day.  It might take a little time to come up with something that's just right, that is your own, that shows your particular hand as a designer.   But when you find yourself pulling it together, you need to think of collections, lines, things built from a common piece, or a similar look.

 

Below is a photo of  an example of how that works, by Allison Murray of Bordeaux and Pearl.    As you can see here, all the pieces have a common design style and common elements....things that 'go' together.     The look is cohesive.   And, if you know Allison's work, it is all done in her voice.   It's all Allison-style.  She makes big over-the-top things, and she makes simple things, too.   But everything she makes is Allison.   She is not all over the place, but has centered on techniques that work best for her.

 

 

 

 

This is what the Build a Line Challenge that I teach every winter, is all about.  It is not a marketing course, although it does have marketing elements.   By and large it is about helping you get your creative act together to produce your PRODUCT.....

 

So that you have something to market!

 

In class we talk about cohesive design,  color, what people want, what people buy, identifying your style and then, identifying who the customer for that style might be.   We learn to work in collections, or lines.    This can begin with the use of even ONE critical part.

 

This video might help you 'get' the beginning concept for building a line and creating a product:

 

 

 

Maybe you will join us this year for Build a Line.  The class is conducted in a private group on Facebook.  It takes three months.  There are two deadlines to meet and you will create at least one line of five pieces or more for the class.    At the deadlines, you simply upload your photos to a Pinterest Board created for them. 

 

The class is not conducted in real time so you can come and go at will, you don't have to be physically present.   We allow three months so that everything is easily covered and no one has to race through anything.  Students may ask questions and we have many class discussions.  The requirements for the class are simple:   you have to want to try, you have to meet the two deadlines and show what you have come up with.   There is no longer any judging, any best in class.   The playing field is completely level, all skill levels and skill sets are invited.   The class is about YOU......so what you put into it is what you will take out.  

 

It's about you getting your design act together, moving forward, and producing a viable product.   Will you learn everything in three months?   NO.   But you will certainly know at the end of the class if you want to go forward and be a jewelry designer in a professional sense....or not.  It is a time of great discovery for many.

 

Here is the syllabus from last year:  http://bsueboutiques.typepad.com/bsue_boutiques_jewelry_su/2016/11/class-syllabus-build-a-line-master-challenge-class-2017.html

 

You can have a look at it to get the over-view and basic idea.  I will have this year's syllabus in a few weeks and sign ups will start around November 15, 2017.   The class will begin roughly around second week of January, after the holidays are over.   Cost for new students is 95.00, and for alumni, 75.00.   I will accept a few to audit the class, and that cost will be 90.00.   I will only accept a very few people as auditors, as wereally need full participants to make a good class. 

 

Think about it....check out the syllabus, and come and join us.   If you have taken the class already, continue considering your design product and keeping it fresh, while keeping it cohesive (pulled together).

 

If you find yourself still struggling or feel you just need the exercise, join us again.   We would love to have you!  And new ones, please don't be intimidated, some say they are by taking a class like this.  No need to be.  There is no criticism, no calling out, just encouragement.

 

I want to see you all fly high as designers!

 

Meantime, you will find me at www.bsueboutiques.com and also, at You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/bsueboutiques/videos

 

Come join us on Facebook at the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group  for ideas, encouragement, and new creative friends.

 

 

(photo from Pinterest, crossingilandmono.tumblr.com)

 

 

An Elephant's Treasure....And A Contest!

 

It's been such a crazy good time, unearthing all the beautiful old pieces from The 1928 Jewelry Company.   Mel Bernie, CEO and driving force behind  this beloved jewelry line, has become such a friend and mentor.   He is always finding vintage photos and pieces  to share with me.  

 

Here and there, I talk him into making the pieces again, so that collectors may enjoy them.   A few make it to our website but most are sold directly from my  page at Facebook.

 

Ingrid Anderson, a busy jewelry designer and a member of the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group at Facebook, has  been an avid collector of 1928 Jewelry for many years.   Here and there, she has been showing us treasured pieces of her collection.   Due to her sharing, we've offered a stunning heart shaped magnifying glass, reprised from her collection.    Also we are currently having the perfume bottle pendant re-made, and buyers were allowed to choose the color of stone as well as the metal color (silver or gold) that they wanted.

 

Ingrid also found the delightful elephant pendant in the photo above, many years ago.   The original had a lovely Victorian-style cameo bonded into the bottom of it, sort of like a wax seal.

 

I asked Mr. Bernie about the pendant and he said, sure, we can re-create that for your collectors!    And then, he wanted to know if I wanted the original cameo in the piece, or left hollow so that I could place my own semi precious stones in the pieces?   Or, so that you could.....

 

There it is, standing up on its own, just like a delightful little figurine.   But yes, the underside is hollow:

 

 

It occurred to me that my collectors and customers might really enjoy filling the elephant with their own version of treasure!   So I experimented a bit to see what would happen with a domed glass lens and some sparkly items:

 

 

 

That piece will be taken apart  now that  I know it works.....I have other ideas for it, and other treasures I would like to use.  Also, I used E6000 to glue in the lens and it's just a bit too glurpy.   Hypotube cement would be much better for the application of a crystal lens:

 

 

You can find it on our website, if you need some:  https://www.bsueboutiques.com/product-p/hypotube.htm

 

ANYWAY:    We thought that maybe this time, since I have only a limited number of elephant necklaces to share, maybe we should make a mini kit with the elephant pendant and include one lens. 

 

Then, those who purchased one, could have the option of joining us for a little contest.

 

You can put anything you want in there.....whatever treasures you like,  that is what your elephant will carry!   Glitter, seed beads, stones, pearls, watch parts, just keep thinking, you'll come up with your own unique ideas.     The elephant could also be filled  with a beautiful stone (you will need 25X18mm)     I filled one with a piece of our Chinese turquoise:

 

 

Chinese turquoise is found here at B'sue Boutiques:  https://www.bsueboutiques.com/Turquoise-Stone-Turquoise-Semi-Precious-03654-p/semi03654.htm

 

I can't take mine off!   I also have one that Mr. Bernie put together for me, in silver...with a blue lace agate, which you can find here:   https://www.bsueboutiques.com/Blue-Lace-Agate-Semi-Precious-Stone-25x18-03850-p/semi03850.htm

 

We really have a lovely selection of semi-precious cabs and beads at B'sue Boutiques now, and it's growing all the time, too.  Our prices are very reasonable:

 

https://www.bsueboutiques.com/category-s/1932.htm

 

Anyway....getting back to the contest.   This one time, only, we are leaving on the 1928 swing tags.    So you will be literally be creating your own piece of 1928 jewelry!

 

We have silver and gold elephants.  The trunk is up, and that's the way elephant collectors like it!  The pendant is chunky and weighted, but not overly heavy.   It measures about 1.5 inches up and down, and 1.25 across, and is very dimensional....as I mentioned, rather like an old wax seal or little figurine.  The cavity underneath has a depth of about an inch.   The chain is 30 inches long and included.

 

It would be great for resin, too.   Or, why not consider doing an image on the back of the lens?   That could be really interesting.  You could look for  just the right small image to depict the elephant's treasure...or evoke a sentimental memory....or maybe something depicting a circus.

 

The cost for the elephant and the lens is $35.00 and this includes the US shipping for you, too.

 

Those who buy the elephant and decide they want to be part of the contest to share what treasure their elephant is carrying (and there is no right or wrong, no disqualifying factors)   should be members of the Creative Group.  If you are not yet, come and join us!   Once again, find it here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/bsueboutiquescreativegroup/

 

Each one who wants to participate should tell me when they purchase their elephant kit.  I'll put them on the list!   I hope we get at least 10 to jump into the fun.   At the beginning of October, when I come back from the master class I am teaching in California at the 1928 factory, I will create a special Pinterest board for your photos.   This way you will have plenty of time to work with your elephant.  I will give all those in the contest pinning rights so you can get your picture on there, after the board is up.

 

On Sunday October 15th, the winner, who will be chosen by Mr. Bernie, will be announced at the Creative Group and here at my blog, as well.   The winner will receive 500 bonus points placed into their B'sue Boutiques  customer account, ready to use.   By the way, 500 rewards points equals a $25.00 gift certificate!

 

The winner will also receive in the mail a very special piece of 1928 Jewelry, that Mr. Bernie will pick out.

 

I have 20 kits.   If you purchase one, you do NOT have to be in the contest, but we would love to have you join us, and see what you do with your official 1928 Jewelry Company elephant necklace!  

 

To get your kit:  Please contact Brenda Sue Lansdowne at Facebook via private message/Facebook Messenger.   You may choose silver or gold.   You can pay with PayPal and I can send you an invoice.  You can also call us at 1-800-868-4393 for a PayPal invoice OR to pay by credit card over the phone.   Someone is here most days from 9 to 5 pm.   Do not request one here in the comments on this blog as I might miss you!  

 

I can't say for sure..... but I sort of think that we will place the elephant necklaces quickly.  Don't assume they are sold, though.  Feel free to inquire.  Who knows, maybe Mr. Bernie will make us some more, another time?

 

Here's to the Elephant's Treasure!   Let's see what you come up with!

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Everything Old Is New Again - Jewelry Making Outside The Box

Everything Old Is New Again

It's been the thrill of a lifetime to get to explore the vintage archives at 1928 Jewelry Company.   Not only was I allowed to spend days studying over their library of over 35,000 castings....but now, we are working on exploring all the old catalogs, samples, recipe boards of finished goods.   That would be, finished jewelry the company released long ago, or old prototype models that just never got into production.

 

Ingrid Anderson is a jewelry artist who also loves to collect 1928 jewelry.   She is privileged to own quite a few rather rare pieces.   The beautiful heart-shaped magnifying glass in the photo above is part of her collection and the photo is also hers.   From this photo,  Mr. Bernie and his assistants at the company were able to locate the mold and reprise the necklace just exactly as it was originally made.  This allowed me the privilege of being able to offer it again as a very limited edition piece.

 

(I sold quite a few of the magnifying necklaces from the reprise run, but I do still have several left in stock.  They are 68.00 each)

 

We are currently reserving custom made necklaces made from another  wonderful old   casting.   The mold goes back to very early times for the company; on my very first visit to the factory in Burbank, California, I had the opportunity to 'discover' it.  Intrigued, I asked Mr. Bernie for a price so that maybe, we could put it into the B'sue by 1928 line.

 

Here is a shot of the original mold, just as I found it:

 

 

Here is a collage of photos of the finished piece:

 

 

 

Because of the way the stone has to be mounted into the mold, we felt it just was not going to work for B'sue by 1928.    The artisan plater that I use would not be able to apply our special finishes correctly to make it a good fit for the line.

 

As a result, we decided to release it as  it was originally made back in the day--- complete with barrel clasp and tag, just like all the older 1928 pieces.  Just the same, this time, we shortened the chain to 26 inches so that it could be a great layering piece.  It just looks better on a bit shorter chain! (Original was 30 inches.)

 

If you wonder what the original looked like, it is in the collage above in the lower right section.    Again, this piece belongs to Ingrid Anderson.    The original was antique gold finish with an opaque black glass stone.

 

Since we were changing it up a little bit for this piece, we decided to really customize the pieces.   We offer antique gold OR antique silver finish.  You can have it in the black stone, or a crystal, see through stone.   We also offering it in several vintage  glass moonstones:  amethyst, pink, green, blue or white pearl moonstone.   The customer may choose plating shade as well as stone!

 

So far the best seller is silver finish with white pearl moonstone!   After that, gold with white pearl moonstone, and then silver with the amethyst.      And the price is NICE.   39.95---PPD in the US!   If you miss the pre-sale reservation, not to worry, I am getting some extras for my stock.

 

Another piece that Mr. Bernie reprised for me in very limited edition was this spinner.....and there's a nifty little story to go with it!

 

 

My friend Ellen Gonchar sent me a photo of a piece that she suspected was 1928.  She was bidding on it at auction and wondered what I thought.    She sent me quite a few photos of it, and I felt very confident that indeed, it WAS an vintage 1928 piece.

 

So I shot the photo over to the factory by email.   Mr. Bernie said, "No, Brenda, I do not think we made that!"  

 

But I had the evidence!

 

 

He and his assistants searched all morning to find the mold.   His secretary stayed in contact with me all the time to report progress.   He couldn't remember the piece at ALL....but he WAS going to find that mold by hook or by crook!

 

And THAT, he surely did!    He still could not remember it ever being in the line, and they had nothing on it.  So, the guess was that it may have been a prototype piece that never did go beyond samples.  Nonetheless, triumphant, Mr. Bernie made me a short run of them in  the original gold and also in silver.   When I released them on my Facebook page, my allotment sold out in literally hours.....

 

As did this nifty little pill bottle necklace:

 

 

The initial run that I had was quite large, so was quite relieved to sell over 80 of them the first couple of days on Facebook.   I did  so well that I got a second run, and we still have some in stock in silver at 38.00 plus a tiny shipping charge.

 

The original was shared with me the first time I went out to the factory, last summer.  I couldn't forget about it!  In fact, I discovered that it, itself had been copied from a very old mid-Victorian silver chatelaine:

 

 

Yep, there it is, same exact thing, except the one made by 1928 had a much more ornate pattern.

 

When  I went out again last winter, we started making plans to get busy ferreting out the old archived pieces.   The pill bottle was, I think, our first reprise.   Originally,  I wanted the bottle for B'sue by 1928, but it just didn't work out right to put it in that line.  I sure didn't have them long when they finally came in from California.

 

We have done so many pretty pieces since then.....here's a little picture show for you!

 

 

The perfume pendant above was so much fun!   I was just out there visiting again May, and that's when I saw it!

 

 

Mr. Bernie said he would make it again for me, if I would go out into the factory and find the right decal.   Well, that was something I actually knew where to go, and get it for him.   As soon as I came home, we did the pre-sale.  It took about five weeks to get them, but the work to make this hollow vial was intense.  Casting filigree so intricately as this is quite an art.

 

Everyone that got one agreed, it was worth the wait!

 

Here is the mold for that piece:

 

 

The purse locket below was in the 1928 line for a long time, but it is being re-made as a short run for B'sue Boutiques again:

 

 

 

 

I also had him try the stamps locket that is currently in the ANTIQUITIES COUTURE line, in silver.  Normally it is only found in gold. 

I still have a very few of these in stock as well.

 

Some that we are currently  or will soon be working on:

 

This perfume pendant was  a beautiful gift from another collector and jewelry artist, Suzanne Valeriano:

 

 

Here is the mold for it!

 

 

We will also be working on this book locket:

 

 

One that was just recently finished:

 

These, I have in stock in limited amounts.....mostly silver, some gold and a few in rose gold.  The top of the heart pops up to open the locket!   Very unique!   They are 42.00 each.

 

And there are so many more....a seahorse magnifier is in production right now and my sample should be coming in soon.  There is a fabulous Art Nouveau pendant locket to do, it's one that also was in Ingrid's collection.  There is  almost not a day gone by that we are not talking about bringing certain old pieces back in limited editions, just to see what happens...or working on revamping an old design.   Mr. Bernie likes to share his current projects with me, too.  

 

It won't be long now til my next trip to the 1928 Jewelry Company in September.  I'll be there for a week.   For two of the days, I will be joined by ten inquiring minds, students, colleagues and customers....all who love the company.    We will be allowed to use the conference room there to conduct a master seminar.  There will be some spirited and lively discussions!

 

Don't worry....We will take LOTS of pictures!  And if I don't get worn out by the excitement of that, I'll be back checking the archives for new ideas and experimenting with a few new ideas that we have been discussing during the rest of my stay.    We might work on learning to etch glass for one of the ideas...but who knows where that will go.

 

For sure, it will be FUN!

 

If you are interested in any of the items in this blog post, you can contact me by calling 1-800-868-4393 9-5 Mon-Sat and 2-9pm Sundays, or at my Facebook page for B'sue by 1928:  https://www.facebook.com/bsueby1928/

The Next New Color Palette Challenge....With Ebony Black Brass

 

Time to introduce the next two-month challenge, troops! 

 

 

The Ebony Black color palette is pure drama.   Rich with several shades of cream, chocolate and taupe can be used on the base matte black color.  We have a full selection of beautiful matte black brass and vintage jewelry findings and other vintage supplies at B'sue Boutiques from which to select your key focals for your designs!  Get ready to create!

 

To participate and perhaps win the randomly-chosen giftie package chock-full of B'sue goodies, you will need to use at least two of the five colors against your selection of matte black brass.   If you already have some matte black focals and pieces that would remain visible in your design that come from our place, go ahead and use them.   If you need any, you'll find a nice selection at the website.

 

We need 30-50 B'sue Boutiques Creative Group members to participate in our challenge.   Our color palette challenges last for TWO months.....so you have until October 31st to share your design at the Creative Group at Facebook and pin it to our Challenges Board

 

On November 1, the winner will be announced by Project Development Team member, Irene Hoffman of Heart's Dezire.   And then, I will pull out some lovely goodies and ship 'em on out for ya!

 

 

I can't wait to begin working with that combination of colors, myself!

 

 

Here is something to inspire you for this challenge, made by Allison Murray of Bordeaux and Pearl:

 

 

You might wonder, what is the Project Development Team at B'sue Boutiques all about, anyway?

 

Isn't that something new?

 

Yes it is, a bit.   Previously we had a DESIGN TEAM at B'sue Boutiques with many talented artists.   But, with all the work of daily business here, I was having a bit of trouble co-ordinating projects and finding just the right thing for Design Team members to do.   Marcia Tuzzolino, Jann Tague and Irene Hoffman have for some time been very key in assisting me with color ideas as well as filling in for me when I was away on a business trip, engaging the group and keeping all the creative balls in the air!

 

They also live close to one another and even meet on a regular basis to try new techniques and brainstorm ideas.   Naturally  it made sense to create the PROJECT DEVELOPMENT TEAM using the talents of these three jewelry artists who have great design backgrounds.

 

You can read more about them and The Friends of B'sue Boutiques at our website.   Everyone on that page is someone who has been key to the evolution of the B'sue Boutiques website as well as the Creative Group on Facebook over the last 3-5 years.   Each one is a blessing in their own way and I am grateful for the networking we do together.

 

Meantime.....we wrapped up the Choxie Color Challenge by announcing the winner Tuesday, September 6.   The winner was Shari Gardner!

 

 

Here is what I made for the challenge:

 

 

 

I've already worn it a number of times!

 

Would you like to see what the others made?

 

Check out our challenges album at Pinterest!

 

And then come on over to the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group at Facebook   and join us for the Ebony Matte Black Brass Challenge!

 

Related articles

More Details on the "Building Your Line" Challenge; Please Comment, Ask Questions

Build A Line Challenge Master Class Blog Hop, Part One, B'sue Boutiques

Unsinkable Susan's Engine That Could....and Does

MY REWARDS Program At B'sue Boutiques Just Rolled Out---Credit for Every Dollar Spent

Free Color Palette Generators, Tools and Resources

Fall 2016 Home Decor Color Trends

Wanna See Our Build a Line Blog Badge?

HEY! Look What I Got! from B'sue Boutiques......

Unexpected Findings.....Clever Jewelry Book and YOU Can WIN a Copy

Staying Focused on Your Design Business in the Slower Summer Months

 

It's easy to begin to think that our creative path is just all leading downhill, especially when things get slow in the summertime.   Easy to think that way, not necessarily true.

 

It's probably really going forward....incrementally.   The trick is to get it going in a straight line.....

 

 

Instead of broken up in chunks:

 

 

When we reach the slower summer months---or for some, should I say, busy summer months?    It may be difficult to keep focused and maintain momentum as makers of handmade jewelry.  It can be particularly discouraging and hard to  keep moving when sales slow to what seems a standstill.

 

WHAT HAPPENED?

 

There  may be quite a number of reasons beyond economics why sales of your handmades slow down---in any season.  

 

And while we talk about WHY, let's remember:

 

 

 

That's number one, most of all, when taking a step back and examining what's going on.    A good attitude!   Being positive!  Our desire is to CONTINUE, not quit!

 

Here and there an examination of our business plans and habits is quite important.    SO:  be brave, and face what you're doing in the eye, stare the monster down.   Be determined to be objective and do the work, if work needs to be done.  

 

This is a list of what works for me.   Maybe it will help you, too!

 

1.  Run away to the mall.    ?????   Are you kidding me, a lover and maker of handmade jewelry, off to the mall?

 

  Yes my dear, yes indeed.  GO TO THE MALL.   Go into all the specialty stores that carry accessories.    Check out what they carry, and stop to have a good, good look.   Chat up the clerks.   Usually earlier in the week in the summertime, mall clerks aren't busy, either, and will be glad to strike up a conversation on trend. 

 

One shop I enjoy checking out is Gracy Lane.  You may find that you have one in your mall, it's a chain, a small boutique shop that shows only jewelry and accessories.  Key lines are Vera Bradley, Swarovski, Alex and Ani, Brighton.....among other smaller names about which you may not yet have heard.

 

I hear you from here saying YEEECH.   Yes, that would be a typical reaction from handmade designers.  But, just give me a listen and let's be very objective:

 

Did you hear me say, "smaller names about which you may not yet have heard"?   

 

Those smaller names are possibly designers who started out on lap desks and kitchen tables just like you and I did.  Ever hear of Carolee jewelry?  It's a big name, started in the early 70's.  You won't find it in Gracy Lane because it's an upscale department store/bridal shop line these days, all about the glass pearls.  But it was started on a kitchen table. 

 

Another line you know, 1928 Jewelry Company, started in a guy's garage.

 

So yeah.....there's something to consider there.

 

WHY are those lines selling?   WHY do they appear in so many outlets? 

 

While the department store jewelry business is on a bit of a downswing, the specialty shop business is NOT.    What IS there about a line like Pandora, or Troll Beads that gets them buying that overpriced product time and time again?   Why do people spend so much money on ooodles of antique silver Brighton bangles?   Why is Alex and Ani still so hot?   You'd think that it would have had its day.   IT HAS NOT.  

 

The line continues to expand with more and more new gimmicks, personalizations, charms that speak about people and their interests.   ANY of us can and probably have made Alex and Ani style bangles, sheesh, I carry the components (the expandable wire bracelet as well as oodles of workable charms) at B'sue Boutiques

 

 

AND:  you can make them and sell them for far less than they do.  

 

https://www.bsueboutiques.com/wire-cuff-cuff-bracelet-charms-antique-brass-p/cuff01756.htm

 

 

After you make your run through the mall (snap a few pix with your phone camera if you can sneak it in, usually they don't mind, you can say you are snapping them to remember where you found them.  That's true, you're doing research!)  ....go grab yourself the prerequisite mall Gloria Jean's or Starbuck's coffee, sit down at a table with a little notebook journal you should have put in your purse for notes....and your trusty pen.

 

Begin to write.   Which lines jumped out at you?   What did you learn?   Hey, don't turn your brain off here because they are jewelry lines sold in a mall.    ****People are buying them.****   You need to think about why, because there are points there that DO apply to you.

 

ALSO:  take notice of the median prices.   Best selling jewelry usually sells in the 22.00-55.00 sweet spot.   Watch out for that as you schmooze through the shops.  

 

Can you sell your jewelry in that sweet spot?

 

Keep writing in your notes.....

 

WHEN LOOKERS BECOME BUYERS

 

2.   What is the gimmick, what is the thing that touches the heart,  what is the oooh-la-la moment that gets someone to say, yeah, I'll fork over for that mall jewelry?

 

One is branding.   How is YOUR brand doing?   Have you pulled it together yet?   Do you know what branding is and how important it is for your handmade business?  

 

Branding is not just for big companies with major fundage.   All businesses that want recognition on ANY level need branding.  This means:

    a logo

    custom url or domain for your selling spot on line

    packaging

    business cards

    Facebook business page

    Pinterest boards

    promotionals....print or online

 

If any of those branding points are remiss, time to see what you can do to shore them up.   Personally, I need to work on my Pinterest boards.   What do YOU need to work on?   Great time to do it when business is slower.

 

Branding gives you not only recognition but cred (credulity, a sense of buying something of quality and worth the money spent).

 

THEN:   think about this:   when you make orders with your suppliers, what catches your eye as far as new products are concerned?   New design elements, plating finishes, mixed media products, beads, COLORS?   What?    What makes YOU buy THOSE things?

 

It's gonna be basically very similar to what makes people buy that jewelry....or YOUR handmade jewelry.     Really, it is.   So go have a look, do the research, think deep and identify it.   What does that jewelry have that yours doesn't?

 

 

ARTISTIC GENEROSITY

 

3.   When YOU are the designer, there is one big truth that holds the floor if you desire to sell your work.   While you may choose the style  that represents you, that speaks to you as an artist...contemporary, retro, vintage, Boho, etc....it's gotta be a design that people besides you will want to purchase, at a price they can pay. 

 

You may sell a few pieces of work that you made just to please yourself, but if you truly want to make a go at this, you cannot simply please yourself.   You will need to discover that delicate intersection in your design life that satisfies you as an artist, but also reaches out to your customer.   This is called ARTISTIC GENEROSITY.

 

When you look at your jewelry listings ask yourself: who is my customer, what is their budget, are they buying my stuff to go with clothing, is it a gift, or does what I make have collectable quality?

 

Does my work have a cohesive quality?   Do I ever repeat a piece in a number of colors?

 

One artist who has done remarkably well  on all these levels is Lori Prull Meyer of Parisienne Girl at Etsy  

 

I would encourage you to stop and take a look at the way she has branded her shop, put her line together, how it has been promoted.   The line has fashion elements but works beautifully as a gift line.   Many gift lines are timeless and work across the entire year, because everyone needs a gift....all the time.   The whole world seems to revolve around events and holidays.   Have you considered that in the way you have put your line together?

 

I loved this online promotion ( I believe it was sometime around Valentine's Day) that Lori crafted:

 

 

Check out the feedback Lori gets and how many mention the gift factor.

 

Check out her professionalism and branding.....and how the look all comes together across all of her categories in her store.

 

Check out how many sales she has made!   This is all throughout the year, not just at the holidays.   You can have a similar success doing what you love, by aiming it toward the gifting market, carefully considering color, and making lovely, wearable pieces of quality materials at reasonable prices.

 

IT'S NOT TIME TO SIT BACK WITH THE REMOTE AND WATCH NETFLIX....

 

Unless you stream it into your workspace and are making jewelry at the same time.

 

4.   STAY BUSY.      Examine your inventory.   Is it looking tired, old, picked over?     Maybe it's time to take new pictures, not necessarily have a sale.   New pictures bring new life to tired pieces that have been hanging around.

 

Maybe it's time to take some of those pieces down and re-design them!   Here's a video that might help you get your head around that idea:

 

 

 

Just yesterday I was looking at a hopper full of jewelry that I made for video projects, etc.   I found this piece:

 

 

I had it on my Ruby Lane shop as well as my Etsy shop, when I had them up.  No one bought it.   Now it's time to step back and figure out why.   Too much stuff on it?  Too heavy?  Too many techniques going on?   We all have pieces like these that need reworking.

 

OH, I'M SO DEPRESSED.....WHAT'S THE POINT?

 

Come on now!   Consider the time and money you have into this already!   And you know what pleasure designing gives you.

 

5.   CONTINUE CREATING.    Just because it's slow NOW, does not mean it will be slow later.    How many times do we miss the boat because we were not ready  for the offer of a new selling platform/possibility, custom order, or just a busier season?   I can tell you, if you have you are not alone.  It has happened to me too many heartbreaking times!

 

I have learned that when it is slow, then it's time to check inventory, restock needed pieces, come up with new design work, and pull what you doing together.    As long as a business has inventory, it is never dead in the water;   as long as a handmade business has quality, imaginative components to use to make new stock, it's still in the running.

 

Even though thegarden  needs to be weeded and you've got three weddings and a bunch of grad parties still to attend this summer, doesn't mean you should not have budgeted, dedicated time to make new stock, learn a new technique, and organize your workspace.

 

This video that JewelryDonna and I made a few months back about managing your supply inventory might come in handy:

 

 

 

CONSIDER NEW SELLING PLATFORMS and OPPORTUNITIES

 

There are many ways to sell your handmade designer jewelry.   You may  want to consider new consignment opportunities.   Get online and find out what shows within driving distance might work,  for what you do.   What about home parties, trunk shows, and open houses?

 

Facebook groups are a great way to network with other sellers for new ideas, resources and encouragement.   Find the best groups to join that suit YOUR personal needs.   Narrow it down to the type of jewelry you make and what you want to do.  If you belong to every group for the latest new component, idea, technique, destash, you will soon find that all you do is truck back and forth between groups all day and very little will be accomplished.  You may even find yourself feeling overwhelmed and confused.  

The worst part?  at the end of the day....nothing accomplished.

 

It happens to me, too, guys. 

 

I've found that I need to start each day with a good list of the major stuff that has to happen.   While I do have a bit of trouble finding enough time to create because I am managing a supply business, doing a lot of writing and usually teaching or planning to teach an online class....I do get all of the most important things taken care of, each day. 

 

I'm able to get things finished because of the priorities on the list.  While I may have Facebook and other social media screens open all day, I am not necessarily spending time there.   Leaving the screens open serves as notice  for me so that I will not be long in responding to someone who needs assistance.    It can be a distraction but I am beginning to train myself to keep it in its place.

 

I do like to spend a bit of time attending to my groups and pages each day and I do allot a certain amount of time for that.  YOU SHOULD, TOO.  But:  unless there is a specific reason, I try to stay well within the time frame I allow for social media.  I love to visit as much as anyone but, if I am going to get anything done, I can only spend just so much time there.     Do your promoting first, then check your groups and friends.  ;-)

 

JUST STAY BUSY

 

6.  IN SUMMARY:    J.S.B.      JUST STAY BUSY!   Slower times really don't indicate you have time on your hands  when you are running a business.    There is ALWAYS work to do.

 

My husband is a head custodian in a very large inner-city school system.   His busiest time of the year is in the summer, when summer school is over and there are no students in the building.     This is the time of year when desks are repaired, floors are stripped and waxed, restrooms refurbished, painting is done.   He and his team are busier this time of the year than EVER, in preparation for the next school year.

 

We should be, as well.  Our best selling season of the entire year will be here before you know it!

 

SO!  Keep that great attitude....step back and have an honest look....do a bit of rethinking, even redesigning.....rework your keywords, promotion and branding!   There is no time to lose.   J.S.B.   Just stay busy and you will be ready when the next opportunity comes.

 

Look!  It's right around the corner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

HEY! Look What I Got! from B'sue Boutiques......

Getting It Together for the BUILD A LINE Challenge from B'sue Boutiques

MY REWARDS Program At B'sue Boutiques Just Rolled Out---Credit for Every Dollar Spent

Memories of Bohemian Vibe....Clay On, Pals! What's Up, Going Forward

Save

Hot Summer Colors and Choxie Brass Stampings.....a Winning Combination!

 

Choxie brass is back, and it's a hot design ticket found at B'sue Boutiques

 

Have you tried it yet?   If not.....why not join us for the July/August summer palette challenge.....using chocolate brass and these HOT

hot-cha-cha colors!

 

 

The palette was chosen by my Idea Girls, Marcia Tuzzolino, Jann Tague and Irene Hoffman.    It's a great look, festive, can't you just hear the mariachi music and smell the enchiladas in the oven and the fajitas on the grill?

 

And the fact is, these are good, clear colors that can be worn in some form by just about EVERYONE.   Paired with the chocolate brass, it's just a winner all the way down the line.

 

How can you be part of the challenge?   Well, this year, we have decided that all our challenges will be TWO months long, and will be based on a plating shade and a color palette that enhances it.   The Idea Girls will mull and choose the palettes along with a little input from me....

 

And the rest will be easy!  Time to gather materials from B'sue Boutiques .....my supply company which sponsors the challenges....and see what you have stashed away that will work.   We're not telling you what sort of jewelry to make, just make something that you think works well with the way the colors MAKE YOU FEEL.     Any sort of jewelry, any technique is fine, so long as it contains a few visible things from our place, and our chocolate brass.   Although we've just recently brought it back, we carried it for some time before in the past, so it's likely that many have pieces put aside in their workshops, too.

 

Need some inspiration?

 

 

These pieces were made by a number of members of the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group   Come and join us!

 

More inspiration...   Here Marcia Tuzzolino shows you how to start.  Just pull out the brass and the colors.....and start moving things around on your table....

 

 

It won't be long before you have some results!

 

 

Beautamous!

 

I love making these bracelets.....hmmmm.   How about if I made another using the HOT summer palette?  I think I just might!

 

 

These beads just arrived that work with the palette....

 

 

and....

 

 

Find those beads here:

 

https://www.bsueboutiques.com/category-s/1882.htm

 

Here is some choxie interpretation from Jann Tague:

 

 

Start pulling out those bits and pieces, this challenge is gonna be SO much fun!

 

The only type of jewelry that won't qualify for inclusion on our challenge board is a single pair of earrings......if you have made a pair that look great, we'll need you to pair them up with a brooch, a bracelet, a necklace, a ring....something.

 

Post your projects at the Creative Group  and then post them to our Group Challenge Board at Pinterest

 

Joan Williams of Lil Ruby has, already!

 

 

That palette is tailor made for the Lil Ruby design style!  So pretty....

 

So come on over and dive into a pile of choxie brass!   And join us for this fun summer challenge.   At the beginning of September, I'll post a randomly-drawn winner for this one;  I would LOVE to see a BUNCH of participation.    If we get 50 or more submissions, I will draw TWO giftie winners!

 

Let's see your great ideas!

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Jewel Tones: Mixing Warm & Cool Hues

More Details on the "Building Your Line" Challenge; Please Comment, Ask Questions

How to Create a Perfect Color Scheme [Infographic]

Summer Memories Design Challenge for July at B'sue Boutiques Creative Group

MY REWARDS Program At B'sue Boutiques Just Rolled Out---Credit for Every Dollar Spent

Vintage Jewelry Making Supplies: The Romantic Rose Montee

Rose Montees are that little something extra that makes a vintage style wire assemblage pop. 

 

Originally used in the clothing industry much like one would use sequins or other trims, rose montees were often found sewn onto dress collars or decorated sweaters of the 40's and 50's.    Then someone out there found that HEY, they were a great addition to a wire collage, or a caged piece.

 

You will often find them in Miriam Haskell vintage jewelry pieces.

 

They don't look like much, but they really make a design sparkle.  Below you see 4mm Czech Preciosa machine cut rose montees, prong-set in little tin mounts.   On the back of the mount, you will observe that there is a little cross hatch pass-through.    This is where you will wire them into your design.

 

I use 28 gauge gold plated wire....or whatever color wire matches the filigree I am using.  You don't HAVE to do your caging on Russian Gold Plated brass....that's just the typical, true-to-vintage plating shade for this type of work.   Think outside the box!   Might look GREAT on matte black....chocolate brass....or even brass ox.   OR:   think about the possibilities of doing this sort of work with raw brass pieces you have colorized with Lumiere Paints by Jacquard,  or even patina'd with Swellegant.

 

 

 

The trick is the wiring in.

 

With some filigree that has nice-sized openings, it will be fairly simple once you've got the hang of it.   For little pieces like flower sprigs, it takes a bit of fiddly-fussing!

 

 

If you would like a demonstration, you have only to 'tune in' to this video:

 

 

 

I will show you a number of things you can do with them, as well as wiring on small pearls.

 

The big trick is to get as little wire as possible showing, and keep the work good and tight.

 

On the piece above where I did the pearls,  you can only hope for so much where not showing wire is concerned.  You're  passing through a hole on a dimensional object!

 

That is where fill will come in.   More pearls, seed beads looping around and over, a nice central focal and maybe some wired in sprigs will hide that.   

 

I did get the piece at the beginning of the video finished:

 

 

Something else you might want to know is how I mounted the Art Nouveau lady medallion.   Follow the series of photos, below:

 

 

Both pieces are found in the Russian Gold Plated Brass section at B'sue Boutiques    When you are short a piece in Russian Gold Plate, sometimes a piece of unplated raw brass will work okay.

 

 

 

 

 

You would just place that and wire through the back to attach to your 'builder' filigree.

 

Here is the back of my finished piece:

 

 

Still a little more wire showing than I would like, but all in all....it's coming along nicely.

 

If you would like to have some fun with Russian Gold Plated Brass, I have a little muse package on my website for you:

 

Russian Gold Plated Muse      It's a bit discounted and you have builder and backer pieces, as well as pieces to use your imagination.

All you need is some 28 gauge gold plated wire....we have some if you don't!

 

And here is where you will find those rose montees:

 

Rose Montees at B'sue Boutiques

Our Class Adventures with Cagework Beading in the Haskell Style

 

My favorite piece of vintage jewelry is this lovely Miriam Haskell brooch.  It has provided many an inspiring moment for me, ever since it came into my possession almost twenty years ago and is a beautiful example of cagework beading, using wire.

 

Cagework beading, or vintage assemblage with wire is a way to use beads, bibs and bobs by attaching them to plated brass filigree with 28 gauge plated wire.

 

Here are some I'd been working on....none are finished:

 

 

Everything starts with a piece of Russian Gold Plated brass.....a finish which we developed OUR WAY for B'sue Boutiques with the assist of an artisan plater.

 

 

There is actually a vintage Haskell finding mixed in with one of our initial batches shown above.   I think with a bit of searching you will pick it out, but there is little visible difference between our finish and the old one.

 

Ours is a bit more ruddy, while on the old finish there is the faintest ochre-olivene.   But no matter that ours is a bit different!  It IS ours, anyway...unique to B'sue Boutiques

 

We had about 36 students in the class, which was held as part of the B'sue Boutiques Third Annual Workshop.   Christi Friesen taught polymer clay for the first two days, then we switched gears entirely and did wire assemblage.  

 

First we spoke about the genre, and a bit about my passion for it, and then the class began.   I taught it by small demonstrations, a few at a time....and got everyone started.

 

 

This was the kit of goodies distributed to each class member:

 

 

All the students needed beyond what you see here was a bit of 28 gauge wire.  Some brought their own, but we put a nice big spool for common use on every table.

 

Everyone did a beautiful job.   Some didn't even get up to go to lunch at the break, but kept at it, intent on getting that tapestry beading down!

 

 

One of the photos shared with us after the event at the Workshop page we form for it, every year on Facebook.

 

It wasn't necessary for me to continue to teach in the afternoon.   Everyone was in the zone, and quite a few even finished projects.   So I just went around from table to table to encourage and help with the work at hand.

 

Here are some happy and content cagework beaders!

 

 

Some had done a bit of caging before, but most had not.   Let me share with you some of the lovely things they worked on:

 

This is Elayne Siegfried's piece in progress:

 

 

Finished up....and LOVELY.

 

 

Monica Rice was a busy bee....this is only ONE of the pieces she made:

 

 

Here is a great start by Janet Wilson:

 

 

And a finished brooch by Colleen Bullecks!

 

 

And from Terrie Taylor, too....

 

 

Emma Hall also made a very nice brooch:

 

 

These are only a smattering of the beautiful pieces made by our friends in class.  And I know, only a START on a new jewelry making journey for many!

 

Some have even made more pieces and continue to share them at the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group at Facebook

 

Others who were not able to attend the class have had a look and given it a try, as well.    Allison Murray from Bordeaux and Pearl, took to it like a duck to water.  I believe most all of the brass and some of the little bellflower beads came from our place:

 

 

A gorgeous composition, indeed!

 

If you would like to explore more, here is my last video on the subject:

 

 

 

On day I will do that video over as my hands were in the way too much, we had a bad angle!  But there has been a great deal of interest in the video and you will find some solid information and ideas  how you can proceed with this method.

 

And of course....

 

We have everything you need to get started at B'sue Boutiques

 

Give it a try!

Related articles

How to Make a Charm String Necklace

A Brooch That Tells a Story.....What's Your Story? Ideas for the Build a Line Challenge

Finding your Style in Everyday Inspiration

Memories of Bohemian Vibe....Clay On, Pals! What's Up, Going Forward

B'sue Boutiques July Jewelry Design Challenge: Beautiful Butterflies, Birds and Bugs

Preparing for the Third Annual Workshop

 

When you have happy campers like this, preparing a teaching event is a joy.

 

But I won't lie!  It's a bunch of work.  Honestly, I think planning a wedding would be easier.   In the long run, though, the more you do it, the easier it gets, especially when you work with the staff at The Dutch Village Inn in Columbiana, Ohio.

 

 

The preparation for our yearly event begins about a month after the previous event is over!   This is so that I can continue to have the same weekend every year, since it falls in the middle of the month and seems to be a good time for the majority of people.

 

We always get the large meeting room on the third floor:

 

 

By now, it seems like home to me!  LOL

 

If I am bringing a special teacher in, that's done far in advance as well.   All the particulars are worked out  and their schedule is cleared to be at the event.   A room is booked for them and a room block is established for the anticipated number of attendees.   A special discounted room price is established by the Inn for those coming  for the event.

 

This year we do have a special teacher, Christi Friesen:

 

 

 

She is ALL about the clay play.

 

Here's an idea of where we are going with her class this year:

 

 

ANYWAY.....

 

I meet with the event director, Kelly Witmer, a number of times during the year.   We work out the seating, what sort of tables will be needed, what we will be doing in the room, drink service, food for our party, etc.

 

All through the fall anticipation is built for the next Workshop. 

 

Last year, Katie Oskin did clay for a day.    It was SUCH fun.

 

 

Marcia Tuzzolino and Irene Hoffman prepared a half day mini-beading class. 

 

Here they are getting all the little kits ready for last year, back home in California:

 

 

 

They did a great job with their class and this is what we made  (photo, Frances Grisafi)

 

 

 

Both are B'sue Boutiques Design Team members.  

 

In February, I write the contract, post it in the special Event room that I create on Facebook, and then it's first come, first serve!

 

I always post it on a Saturday so that most will be free to call in their payments, or receive a PayPal invoice.   I do all the book keeping for this event as well.  This year, we filled up fast!

 

A few weeks after sign ups are complete I make extensive arrangements for liability insurance for the event.   Then I pay all the remaining bills and I start packing.   First I had to finish planning my class on vintage style assemblage with wire and pack the Discovery Kits.    This is most of what is in them, although I did add a few more items before finishing them.

 

 

And here I am working with the stuff, getting my head around how to make this fun for everyone:

 

 

I also made a video last week,  on some basics about this type of jewelry making:

 

 

 

If you are coming to the class, you will FOR SURE want to have a look at this video.

 

A couple of other links you might find helpful are a blog post by Heather Powers of Humble Beads:

 

Art Bead Scene Blog about Miriam Haskell Style Beading

 

And another, by reknowned beading artist and master teacher, Diane Fitzgerald:

 

Haskell Style Beading by Diane Fitzgerald

 

There are a couple of other videos I made on this subject, too.  To find them fast, put 'cagework beading' into your Yahoo or Google search, as they will come up.

 

Besides that, there is more packing to be done:  supplies for Christi's class, more for mine...and things for the open house party on Sunday night!

 

I think !  this is the last of the brass stampings to be bagged up.

 

 

 

All of the kits, packed up and ready!

 

 

 

 

More Russian gold plated brass to have at the ready....these are sets of builders and backers:

 

 

 

And pretty little bits......

 

 

 

And these are the hampers with all of my giftie bags for the attendees....

 

 

Pasta machines and clay oven already packed in the car!

 

Annette is pumped about coming this year.....she posted this on our event board:

 

In less than a week, we will all be in our classroom, working hard:

 

 

 

Our dear friend, Kristy Le, can't make it this year, but her photo sums up the entire spirit of the event:

 

 

See you soon!

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Are You Coming to the Workshop? B'sue Boutiques Second Annual, May 15-18, 2015

Another Visit with Katie Oskin, and a New Clay Video Tutorial

B'sue Boutiques Challenges: The Challenge for May

B'sue Boutiques July Jewelry Design Challenge: Beautiful Butterflies, Birds and Bugs

 

Work Table Wednesday......and Assemblage with Wire, Vintage Style

 

It's Work Table Wednesday!  And oh....what a lovely,  lovely mess.....

 

All of my favorites are here....bumpy cream colored pearls, Czech tulip beads, ball end head pins, my Wolfie pliers, more pearls!  28 gauge wire.....and Russian Gold Plated brass stampings and filigree.

 

 

We just began to stock the Russian Gold Plated Brass again, after phasing it out due to finishing difficulties a couple of years ago.

 

Last winter a specialty finisher and I put our heads together to see what we could do to resurrect it and get it right this time.  I wanted a finish that would be the closest thing to the old Haskell pieces:

 

 

We went with a 22 karat base and some more steps in the finishing process....and I think we are as close as we can get.  After all, the complete original recipe was a secret, and I am told, contained some elements that aren't even legal for use in finishing in the United States any more.

 

 

SO:  now it's time to play. 

 

I've always enjoyed working with wire and beads in the vintage style.  I'm no pro but I'm convinced few are/would be.  Even in the photos of how the old stuff was made, you can see wonky beads and messy wiring.   Only so much is possible!   And that's why, wherever possible, you want to cover the backs of anything you wire.

 

I've been fiddling around tonight trying to get a little speed in beading the little leaves.  I'm not a beader, nor am I a wire artist.   I am an assemblage artist who admires this style.  What I understand is the vintage look and placement, balance and flow.   So armed with that and my spool of wire.....let's see what happens.

 

I beaded these leaves:

 

 

Actually they look better in my hand, as all the wire doesn't jump up in your face as it does in a photo.  But I am striving to get the work tighter, and neater.

 

First I cut approximately 18 inches of wire.....maybe that's too long but so far, it seems good.

 

I put about half of the wire through the first top side hole, then I add just 2-3 seed beads, and then continue pulling the wire through the hole on the other side.   Then, to secure my work as I go, where possible, I cross them and tighten them up in the back, pulling one through, adding beads to cover, graduating as I go.   In and out, crossing and twisting one twist only, as much as possible til I finish the leaf.

 

If enough wire remains, I might come up through the piece in a strategic place and begin to wire in another element:

 

 

Eventually I will need to go ahead and finish off that wire:

 

 

Now I will cross the wires again:

 

 

 

Then I will gently but firmly twist them.   Can't go too hard, they will snap off.  Once it's nice and neat, I will trim it back.

 

 

 

Actually that twist, while it will work, should be more coiled, this looks a bit like I just wrapped one wire around the other.  I didn't.  I twisted them both together, and this is what gives strength to the finished piece.

 

 

Now I will twist and coil this into the back:

 

 

Here is the tuck, so it will be smooth and not poke out or catch on anything:

 

 

You can actually see there is also another piece I'd twisted off, too.   That's what you do when your wire gets short, twist it and tuck it and then start wiring again with a new piece.

 

Now this mess of wire needs to be covered.  There is really not a leaf made to back this builder piece, so I will need to choose something else.....once I get the design finished.  (It is nowhere near finished yet).  This one MIGHT work, but I will have to deal with some edges of the backer showing in the front.   Hmmmm.

 

 

And sometimes, you can't cover ALL the wire.   You just do your best.   Usually I use the same builder (front piece) and the same backer and no problem.  But using this leaf, I won't be able to.

 

How about this.....

 

 

 

That might work after a fashion!  I will have to bend those edges around into the front and make them work with the design, though.

 

 

I'll have to play around with that.   Or maybe I have something else in my stash that is even better. 

 

These little leaves are not hard to bead and you do them the same way....

 

 

Yep, the wire should have been tighter.  It will be, with the next one.  You don't see it much until you look at these crazy up close photos!

They really make you proof your work!

 

I could back the small leaf as there is available an opposing piece:

 

 

I wouldn't do that, though, unless this piece was going to be a charm, dangler, or a pendant.   If it goes into the builder as part of the assemblage, it will make the piece thick and cumbersome and throw the design "off". 

 

Well, tomorrow it's a whole day of this, and I am learning buckets of stuff just by doing and experimenting.  That's pretty much the way it goes, trial and error.   There is not a whole lot written on this subject, so you learn by doing and by looking at the old Haskell, Hagler, and Robert pieces.  There are even some Five and Dime Style (lower end) pieces signed Made in Japan, that were made this way, wire, beads and filigree.

 

Here is a piece I successfully made last week:

 

 

 

I need to find a way to sign my work.  I could get a stamp made, or just bond on a tiny brass blank and engrave my name, as I usually do.

 

This was frustrating but also fun!  The more I worked along, the more I enjoyed it.

 

You can find Russian Gold Plated brass here at B'sue Boutiques:

 

https://www.bsueboutiques.com/category-s/1910.htm

 

 

 

Related articles

Pearls, pearls, pearls....

June Brides....Will They Be Glam, Victorian, Boho or Steampunk?

BOHEMIAN VIBE! Our First Polymer Clay Challenge: Making a FACE

Patina Samples Up Close and Personal, From Perfect Pearls Video