Jewelry Item for the Week

I have been so lax in my jewelry designing this week. We went to the beach last weekend and then on Mother's Day I came down sick with the dreaded cold that just wants to hang on. I do have a special order set to show that was created in just the past few weeks.

These are blue sapphire briolettes on 14 kt white gold. The sapphires I found at one of the gem shows in Tucson. Two necklaces are pictured, one on a small white gold chain with a single large briolette and the other is the majority of the other sapphires suspended on a thicker white gold chain. The earrings were also in white gold with more briolettes. After this set was finished the friend, who will remain nameless, wanted a couple more single sapphires for earrings that would go with the single briolette necklace. The other photo, not very good, and taken with my phone's camera, is of a hand made fine silver tear drop on a white gold chain.

I'll get back to it this week and have some fun Spring things to show off next Saturday.

Hot Jewelry for Spring 2008

I've been trying to wear some of my newer designs here at work, out to various functions and even on vacation and have found that fused fine silver link chain mixed with gemstones is getting quite the attention. Both my chain and chain with gemstones have received lots of compliments, so I am in the process of designing several for my web site and the salon consignment. Round and oval links have been and are still popular with everyone, so stay the course if you are into making this type of chain. I guess the only problem I see is using up all your very expensive silver in making chains that may not sell down the road, so try posting signs that you will do special orders.

Colors in clothing is all over the board, but the most exciting is all the blue, fushia and yellow. There are so many gemstones that will compliment these colors of clothing including several blue stones, which haven't been as popular in the most recent past years such as blue sapphire, aquamarine, and lapis. Bring those pieces back out to wear with this years fashions or create something new with beads you have in your stash.

Other hot jewelry pieces will be bracelets. Bright colors are dominating the scene in layers of large bangles or beads. Don't try to match up a necklace to these bracelets as they are meant to be worn in place of other jewelry pieces and steal the show. If you are a designer and are wondering what this means to you, try purchasing some large resin or lightweight colorful wood beads to create a large bracelet design.

Earrings have been and still will be the one item that customers want to match up to a necklace. I always create a pair of earrings to match any necklace especially if that necklace has some exotic gems or shapes that could not be found anywhere else.

I'm still not sure how the jewelry industry will be doing as a whole this year due to the slowdown in the market, but my year started out better than last year so I'm optimistic.

Happy Designs, Dana

New Year - New Marketing

I do have to admit that this was my best year for holiday sales. The salon has taken root and I now have those customers calling for special orders. Now I just have to get the web site creating those same sales figures for this year.

Marketing and design will be my goal this year. I have already created custom tags for each jewelry piece that identifies me, the web site, the materials that went into the item and the price. I've already received compliments on the design and idea, so I have a start. Another idea that I'm tossing around is the presentation and packaging. For the past couple of years, I've used mesh drawstring bags to package a sold item (necklace or bracelet). I did find a jewelry supply company that sells satin drawstring pouches for the same price if ordered in quantity, so I'll be trying these out. I'm hoping for strong sales in return customers due to an easily identifiable product and a packaging idea that goes beyond any of the other custom jewelry designers out there. It's almost like an added bonus when you purchase an item to get this wonderful drawstring bag that is perfect for storing the piece when not worn or for gift giving.



I've attached a picture of the whole packaging concept. Let me know your feedback and ideas and come visit my site as I have added some new items already this year.