Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Handcrafted Bridal Jewelry

Even as a small girl, you’ve probably dreamed of your own fairytale wedding. Now you are a woman and you finally found your prince Charming, it is time to make this fairytale wedding a reality. Beside the dress, the cake and the venue, there is probably a further aspect that you become approximately excited - you’re Bridal Jewelry! Finally, since you’ve dreamed about this fairytale wedding, you must have pictured an excellent tiara on your head, a delicate bracelet on your wrist along with elegant earrings.

However, before you go rushing to a store why don’t you consider, buying handmade bridal jewelry? It is your BIG day. Don’t you deserve to have a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that no other bride has or will ever have?

With all jewelry out there, why shouldn’t you go for handcrafted pieces?

First of all, the feeling of having handcrafted jewelry for your special day will be like no other. These pieces have unique and intricate designs that will definitely make you sparkle. In fact, handcrafted pieces of Jewelry are so chic, even Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie and Demi Moore prefer them. When you walk down the aisle, expect people to gasp. They may be elaborate or they may be simple but one thing is for certain. They will keep everyone's eyes on you.

Secondly, you should consider handmade jewelry because these pieces are meticulously created. If you look hard, you will be able to find pieces that date back centuries ago. Forged by craftsmen and Jewelers of the past, these wonderful pieces have the level of the artistry and the workmanship which cannot be found in the mass-produced pieces of the jewelry manufactured today. On the best and luckiest day of your life – your wedding - you want to your body to be adorned by only the best jewelry. Handcrafted bridal jewelry can give you that extra touch and feeling of sophistication.

Thirdly and possibly the most important, handmade jewelry will reflect your taste and personality. You will be able to choose unique designs that will allow you to express your personality and feelings about the day. Your bridal Jewelry will match the decor of your dress, your cake and even your reception. If you're an adventurous type, you can select pieces that use colored stones and various metals. This way, your dress still appears classic but your accessories give you a modern and playful look. However, if you're a traditional bride, your Jewelry can focus on pristine materials like pearls that are intricately laced together.

At the end of the day, handcrafted bridal Jewelry is meant to give you that feeling of being special: your Jewelry matches your personality perfectly. Skilled hands devoted hours and hours into making that piece especially for you. More importantly, it's about knowing that no other bride will have that Jewelry. It's only yours, just for your own fairytale wedding!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Jewelry Is the Perfect Gift

Jewelry is pretty easy to find. Jewelry made of plain gold, silver, or platinum as well as jewelry with precious gemstones like sapphires or diamonds can be easily found at any jewelry store in your neighborhood or in the internet. Jewelry has become very popular that the average gift shop always includes them in their gift selections, too.

Special and Appropriate Jewelry
Jewelry is also chosen as a gift in most instances because they mark very special occasions like engagement and anniversaries. Jewelry pieces are precious and expensive items. This basically implies that they are only given to the most precious people in your life. Plus, jewelry is something that the receiver could usually show off. Since jewelry is also intentionally or unintentionally used as a status symbol rather than just a mere fashion accessory, it is very common for people - especially women - to want jewelry as a gift.

Jewelry: Gifts that Last
The perfect gift is jewelry because of its longevity. Unlike gifts of food, clothes, flowers, and other stuff that only last for days, weeks, or a few years, jewelry sometimes lasts for generations. Because of this a lot of people who wants a memorable and long-lasting gift will not go wrong with giving jewelry.

Jewelry makes the perfect gift for a lot of reasons, the primary reason being that most recipients like receiving jewelry for gifts. Whatever the reason and whatever the occasion, whoever your intended recipient is and no matter his or her tastes, jewelry will always make the perfect gift.

Back to Handmade Jewelry

A Great Place for Silver Jewelry

If you are looking for a great place to find unique handmade silver jewelry, you should check out the collection of Silver Eden.

"Ethnic handmade silver jewelry exclusively crafted by the Thai Hilltribe Artisans. An original collection of handmade jewelry. Each piece is individually handcrafted. Limited Edition pieces are clearly marked and are ideal for gifts. All other pieces are available in larger quantities, or wholesale supply. Cloisonne, bracelets, chokers, earrings, designer necklaces, bangles and sets."

Their jewelry is priced pretty well and it is all unique. Remember the holidays are right around the corner..check it out!

Back to handmade jewelry

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Jewelry Design

I thought this was an interesting video for those who are a jewelry designer



return to handmade jewelry

Monday, December 1, 2008

A Gem by Any Other Name

Written by A Beaded Affair

With profound apologies to Mr. Shakespeare, the title of my post plays on the famous line, "a rose by any other name".

Juliet says to Romeo, because their families hate each other, "What's in a name? that which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet". Oh, how I wish that were true for the incredible Russian Chrome Diopside. My pictures can't begin to do justice to this incredible gem.
Gem quality chrome diopside could make emeralds weep and green tourmaline envious. It's deep rich kelly green in color with luster and brilliance to rival Tsavorite Garnet. But this poor gem shall probably never achieve the notoriety of any of the other green gems with a name like ....Chrome Diopside...no savy, no panache, no savoir faire. So sad for a gem which should be able to rival the best of them.

And the poor little gem, and I do mean little, since it's colored with chromium which inhibits growth, is rarely found in large sizes, suffers from, another problem. Mother Nature decided to hide this beauty in Russia.....Siberia in fact. Mining can only take place 6 months out of the year. The rest of the time it is buried beneath snow and ice in the perma frost. So, sadly, there is only a small amount of rough mined each year.
Doomed to a life of obscurity, buried in the ice, this gemstone is not well known and that has kept the price down. Of course that makes me happy since I intend to buy a lot of Russian Chrome Diopside.

Watch for faceted Chrome Diopside pendants coming soon to my store, A Beaded Affair , in sterling silver or custom order one in gold. This stone is worthy of it.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

How to Make Simple Wire Wrapped Jewelry




This is a great demonstration of a simple wire wrapped jewelry introduction!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Harmony Scott's Wire Wrapped Jewelry

A beautiful piece of jewelry is the best complement for any outfit. Wire jewelry provides an especially outstanding and unique accent for the well dressed woman. For over 4000 years, handmade jewelry, and particularly wire wrapped jewelry, have been adorning the well-dressed peoples of the world. Jewelry designer Harmony Scott brings a fresh new look to wire jewelry. She is now making her exquisite wearable art available online.

In Harmony's hands, wire wrapping is a very versatile art form. Her style incorporates elements of both wire wrapping and wire sculpting. Her sense of design is flowing and elegant. She creates wire wrapped pendants, rings, earrings, and wire bracelets and neckrings. Sue creates wire jewelry in sterling silver, Argentium sterling silver (non tarnish), gold filled, and rose gold filled wire. Beginning this year, Harmony is also offering wire jewelry in solid 18k wire. Her wire wrapped jewelry pieces include faceted gemstones, natural stone cabochons, shells and pearls, and dichroic glass. Many of her handcrafted pendants are unique, one of a kind artworks that are signed by the artist.

Harmony guarantees your satisfaction. If you are not satisfied in any regard with your wire wrapped jewelry, she will replace the item or refund the full purchase price of your wire jewelry item, minus shipping costs. Wholesale inquiries are welcome. See the contact information page for further information.

Contact Harmony: info@harmonyscott.com or call (970) 920-2582

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Making Wire Wrapped Jewelry

Wire Wrapped jewelry is one of the oldest forms of Jewelry. Many people don't know how to make wire wrapped jewelry because; many of the tutorials found online are incomplete. There are various techniques on how to wire wrap Jewelry. Wire wrapping requires jewelry wire as well as "findings" that are similar to wire to make the components. These wire components are then later connected to each other using various mechanical techniques, solder or heating the wire is not required. In most cases the wire is bent into a loop or a beautiful shape.

Forms of wire wrapped jewelry have been found dating thousands of years BC. Many of these early forms of jewelry can be seen in the British Museum, and date back to the Sumerian Dynasty, which was discovered in the cemetery of Ur, those early forms of wire wrapped jewelry are made from spiraled wire components, that date back to around 2000 BC. Making wire wrapped jewelry was a prized art in ancient Rome, This can be seen from ancient samples of wire wrapped loops that were discovered from ancient Roman sites. The ancient Roman jewelry dates back around 2000 years. This ancient technique didn't require soldering, since most of the jewelry was made at home using simple equipment. Soldering was only developed a few hundred years later, but even then wire wrapping was considered to be more cost effective and quick.

Making wire wrap jewelry only requires a few but mandatory tools. A good pair of flush cutters as well as nose pliers would be required to cut and bend the various thicknesses of wires that you use. A flush pliers is important as it leaves the cut off end of the wire flush, while at the same time keeping the other end of the wire pointed and sharp. Round nose pliers are important as they are good for making loops with. Their flat smooth jaws make holding and gripping wire easy.

The ancient art of making wire wrap jewelry is back in fashion. Knowing how to make your own wire wrap jewelry is a great way to unleash your creative abilities.

Back to Handmade Jewelry

Thursday, November 6, 2008

The Handmade Jewelry Business

Your Wholesale Handmade Jewelry Business has taken off and you are so busy you can't sleep at night always thinking of all the things you have to do tomorrow. You're "To-Do List" never gets any shorter. You are a "One-Man-Show" so to say; sales, marketing, packing, shipping, invoicing, accounting, designing and production. There are not enough hours in the day; something has to give but what can you do? You are working every day - morning till night with blinders on, catching a couple hours sleep and doing it all again, over and over. The days all blend together, another month is gone; how did that happen? All work and no play makes for a much stressed out family life, if there is any room at all for your family and friends. Success is a tightrope and when it feels like the rope is going to break something has to change and quickly.

You have to decide what want to do most, what makes you happy. Do you like dealing with customers or do you enjoy creating Handmade Jewelry? I personally have always enjoyed the creating side of the coin, the other side of the coin has lost its' shine.

Finding Handmade Jewelry Distributors reduces the amount of time you have to deal with customers, sales, marketing, packing, shipping, invoicing, collection and accounting. The one-man-show gets some back-up singers!

Now there is enough time to focus on designs, new items and production. Getting back to doing what you enjoy will give you new energy and enthusiasm for your business and all other aspects of your life. Everyone needs time away from work, honestly even if its just a coffee break; refreshing your mind and soul traveling or spending quality time with family and friends only increase your productivity and creativity.

Sometimes a successful jewelry business just sneaks up on you overwhelming your life. It took years to realize that one person cannot be responsible for everything. In any type of business you must delegate the work so that the business is working for you. Choose what you like to do and outsource what don't enjoy. Life is a balance; work should not overshadow all other areas.

After all, isn't that why you are in business for yourself?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Handcrafted Jewelry

Written by Wendy Pan

People buy jewelry for various reasons, some for investment, and some for emotional purpose. It is very upsetting when we find a favorite jewelry falling apart or breaking. Handcrafted jewelry saves you from this hassle as it offers security which can be enjoyed for several years. This jewelry is designed to complement various moods and occasions. Jewelry deigning is popular trend; it is a hobby for some and a source of livelihood for many. A proper understanding and the relationship between, the wires, beads and gemstones will help transform an ordinary piece into a masterpiece.

Handcrafted designer jewelry is available in sterling silver, platinum and gold. It is ideal for those prefer wearing unique piece if art. Bright and innate gemstones are used in handcrafted designer jewelry. These designed in various geometrical shapes. Handcrafted designer jewelry looks delicate, elegant, beautiful and feminine. This type of jewelry is designed for casual, formal as well as for special occasions and they are very different from the ones that are mass-produced. Gemstones and pearls are not merely chosen for its beauty; but because each has a role to play. Handcrafted designer jewelry is painstakingly created and each piece is lovingly polished. All this contributes to its stylish, sophisticated and artistic look. It helps in enhancing ones beauty.

Handcrafted jewelry is meticulously designed using superior quality material making it an enduring and timeless piece. Handcrafted jewelry is drool worthy. The jewelry is always very distinctive and eye-catching.

The process used in handcrafted jewelry is very painstaking but the result is very gorgeous. Even the delicate designed jewelry is made with high-quality material, so that the jewelry can withstand the pressures of daily life. It is crafted in such a way that it can be passed on from generation to generation.

Handcrafted jewelry is also created in Indian, Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian style. It is best suited of those who cannot handle fragile little pieces, and also for those who love their jewelry to have a little character and stand out. Although some of the handcrafted jewelry is chunky, the big gemstones used in the centre, in some pieces of jewelry this looks like a starburst of light when worn.

Intricate gold wire design adds class to the unique piece. Some of the designs where tourmaline stone has been used makes it look very beautiful and vintage. They look as if they have a story to tell.

Designer Jewelry

Written by Alison Cole

Usually, when the word designer is attached to an item, like 'designer jeans' or 'designer clothes,' it means that the item has been made by a well-known designer, making the item very valuable. This is because designer items cost more to produce than items that have not been created by famous designers. This is very true with regard to jewelry, as well. A piece of jewelry that has been designed by some of the most famous jewelry houses are considered more valuable, and the price tags of most of them attest to this fact.

Some notable designers
Some of the more notable designers of fine jewelry include Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli, whose designs were not only applied to fine jewelry. They were also used in combination with costume jewelry. Other notable designers include Adrian Buckley, Christian Dior, Joan Rivers, Joan Collins, Ciro, Butler and Wilson, Swarovski, Pearlman House, and Napier, who, up to this day, continue to come up with high-quality fashion jewelry.

Getting designer jewelry
Nowadays, you need not go to a jewelry store or to the shops of some of the more famous jewelry houses in order to buy designer jewelry. This is because the jewelry houses have joined the E-commerce bandwagon and they now sell their jewelry online. From these web sites, you can pick from a wide selection of jewelry. You could also have customized jewelry made for you. In addition to this, these web sites also provide other helpful information that can guide you in your purchase. For example, some sites explain what you should look for when buying diamonds. However, some people still prefer going to the stores because they believe that nothing beats seeing and fitting the jewelry yourself.

If you choose to buy online, you should be careful when doing so and you should make sure that you are buying from a reputable jeweler, as the Internet also hosts some unscrupulous companies who may want to fool you out of your money.

Designer jewelry is considered to be more valuable than other types of jewelry because it has been designed by some of the most famous jewelry designers and people who buy the pieces are assured of getting the highest quality jewelry. Recently, getting this kind of jewelry has become easier because they can be purchased online. However, when doing so, consumers should be careful and make sure that they buy jewelry from reputable jewelry houses to ensure they get only the best designer jewelry.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Comeback of Pearls

The classic elegance and luster of pearls has become more of a curse than a blessing. They may be considered lovely jewelry but are usually relegated into the background, in stuffy events like weddings, christenings and coming out balls. Pearl necklaces have sometimes been equated with "squares", spinster aunts, grandmothers and the old South. Pearls have had a hard time competing with more edgy jewelry like the luscious and high-class gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and even semi-precious stones like opal and garnet.

Pearls have therefore become remnants of the past than beautiful gems that can be used as modern accessories. That has changed. Pearls have made a huge comeback into the modern scene just a few years ago. They did not really leave the fashion world but only had limited and specialized use. Today, pearls can be found in almost all kinds of fashion-related items.
The reason for this is the accessibility of pearls in the form of freshwater pearls. Japan has started this industry in the 1920s by culturing pearls using freshwater mussels. However, it has declined production but China has claimed the production of cultured pearls because of the high demand for them.

Donor mussels are inserted with irritants that form the pearls and some of these mussels can produce up to 40 freshwater pearls. The pearls are not as high-quality as the ones made naturally but the color and shape can be controlled and some freshwater pearls can be breathtakingly beautiful as natural ones.

A pearl strand belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots dating from 1550 is made of freshwater pearls. Scotland has been cultivating freshwater pearls, as well as North America but the extinction of almost 35 species of mussels in Europe and America has left Asia with this booming industry.

Because of its reentry into the world of edgy fashion, more and more pearl companies are striving to provide jewelry ideas for the modern woman. There are many ways that freshwater pearls can be used and integrated into a woman fashion sense. They can be used as accessories. Pearl jewelry today tries to incorporate contemporary design and color into pearl necklaces. The classic pearl necklace and pearl choker has given way to long strands of irregularly shaped freshwater pearls in all sizes and colors. They can be paired with casual wear such as jeans, blouses and short dresses.

Pearl bracelets and pearl earrings come in magnificent colors such as red, turquoise and canary yellow that makes any outfit pop. Other jewelry options for pearls include adding beads made of semi-precious stones or crystals.

Pearls have dominated all aspects of the jewelry trade. Even the mother-of-pearl shell of mollusks is used for inlay work on bracelets with freshwater pearls as accentuating items. Pendants for necklaces and rings are now also popularly made of freshwater pearls. Even younger people have seen the flexibility and the touch of beauty that pearls give to an otherwise ordinary outfit and include these accessories while shopping.

Office women rely on pearl necklaces to give them that polished corporate look. Jewelry designers are coming up with more and more ideas for pearls. Edgy and contemporary jewelry designs have freshwater pearls in them, either as the main piece or an accentuating item. Indeed, pearls are here to stay

Monday, October 20, 2008

Getting Started Making Wire Wrap Jewelry

Making wire jewelry is a popular and rewarding hobby for many people. It can however be confusing to beginners who are just starting out. This article will introduce you to the various tools and materials you will need to get your jewelry making hobby started.

SETTING UP YOUR JEWELRY WORKSHOP

Whether you are making your own wire wrap jewelry as a hobby or you are starting your own business making wire jewelry, you will need to have an area that will promote creativity and enable you to concentrate. Spend some time planning and organizing your jewelry making workshop now so that you will be more productive when you get started.

Many of us do not have the luxury of a private workshop where we can escape from the noise and interruptions of our busy homes. This doesn't mean you should lose hope and give up on your wire jewelry making dreams, it just means you will need to be a bit more creative with your space.

Try to find a place that is as private as possible, away from phones, televisions and other interruptions. Perhaps you can clear a space out in your garage or attic. Maybe you have a corner of a guest room or a spot in your basement.

Next you will want to consider lighting. Lighting is very important in jewelry making. Find a room near a window with lots of natural light if you can, but if you cannot find such a location, you will need to invest in a natural lighting alternative. There are special types of lighting and bulbs available that simulate natural sun light. Just do a search online and you will most certainly find something. Full spectrum bulbs are close to natural sunlight.

You will also need a way to organize and store all of your jewelry making tools and supplies as well as a surface or bench to work on. Professional jewelry benches can be expensive, so if you cannot afford one, visit a used furniture outlet, flea market, or good will outlet and purchase a bench there. Look for a sturdy solid wood desk that is wide and deep enough to give you plenty of space to work on. If it doesn't have drawers, you can purchase an affordable organizer with drawers at any home improvement store. This can be used to store your supplies.

You will also need a chair. You should take your time when shopping for a chair as you will spend a lot of time sitting at your desk. You will want a chair that is comfortable and has wheels so you can conveniently slide around your workspace.

If you are unable to invest any money right now into buying your furniture, don't let that stop you. Your kitchen table will work as a descent substitute. Many beginners get started that way.

WIRE JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES

Pliers
There are a wide assortment of pliers and cutters available for wire jewelry artists and each tool has its own purpose. Most professional and experienced wire jewelry artists will normally have a big collection of these tools on hand, but for a beginner it is not necessary. You will only need a few to get started. Pliers are made with various nose shapes and some are made fitted with springs. Springs enable the artist to control tension on the wire. Pliers are also available with nylon jaws that prevent scratching on the wire.

Flat Nose Pliers
These are excellent for holding, flattening and straightening wire. You can also use these pliers to make angular bends.

Round Nose Pliers
Round nose pliers are great for making bends, curves and for forming loops. They are also great for detailed and delicate work.

Flush Wire Cutter
A good flush wire cutter will cut through gold, silver, brass or copper wire and give you a flush even cut.

WIRE
Wire comes in a variety of different sizes, otherwise known as gages. Smaller wire has a higher gage number. For instance a 28 gage wire has a smaller diameter then a 14 gage wire. For your first wire jewelry pieces, it is probably best to begin with a higher gage wire, which will be easier to work with. Once you become more skilled at this, you can then start working with thicker and stronger wires.

Wire also comes in a variety of different shapes: round, square and half round. Round wire is a more popular choice amongst wire jewelry makers, but the other shapes can give your jewelry pieces a unique and interesting look.

Wire also comes in different degrees of hardness. Obviously softer metals are more pliable and easier to bend where as hard metals are stiffer and more difficult to bend and shape. Wire hardness is available from dead soft to extra hard. Dead soft wire is very soft and easy to work with. It is excellent for sculpting , but be careful with this wire. It is very soft and it can be easily damaged if not handled carefully. Hard wire is the most difficult to work with and manipulate, but it does have an advantage over the others as your jewelry pieces will be more durable and last longer.

Wire is also available in a variety of different metals. You have your choice of copper, silver, gold or brass. Copper and brass are cheaper than gold and silver. It may be best to start out with the cheaper materials until you become more experienced.

CREATING YOUR FIRST PIECE OF WIRE JEWELRY
Once you have found a good work area and have your basic supplies, its time to start practicing and creating your first piece of jewelry. In the beginning it will certainly be challenging to come up with your own designs, but thankfully there are many accomplished wire wrap jewelry makers out there to help you along the way. Go online or to your favorite book store and purchase a beginner book on wire jewelry making or invest in a home study course. There are great courses online that come complete with all the tools and instruction you will need to get started. You can even start your own lucrative home based business making wire jewelry.

Making Wire Wrap Jewelry

By: John William

Wire wrapped jewelry is one of the oldest forms of handmade jewelry. Many people don't know how to make wire wrapped jewelry because; many of the tutorials found online are incomplete. There are various techniques on how to wire wrap jewelry. Wire wrapping requires jewelry wire as well as "findings" that are similar to wire to make the components. These wire components are then later connected to each other using various mechanical techniques, solder or heating the wire is not required. In most cases the wire is bent into a loop or a beautiful shape.

Forms of wire wrapped jewelry have been found dating thousands of years BC. Many of these early forms of jewelry can be seen in the British Museum, and date back to the Sumerian Dynasty, which was discovered in the cemetery of Ur, those early forms of wire wrapped jewelry are made from spiraled wire components, that date back to around 2000 BC. Making wire wrapped jewelry was a prized art in ancient Rome, This can be seen from ancient samples of wire wrapped loops that were discovered from ancient Roman sites. The ancient Roman jewelry dates back around 2000 years. This ancient technique didn't require soldering, since most of the jewelry was made at home using simple equipment. Soldering was only developed a few hundred years later, but even then wire wrapping was considered to be more cost effective and quick.

Making wire wrapped jewelry only requires a few but mandatory tools. A good pair of flush cutters as well as nose pliers would be required to cut and bend the various thicknesses of wires that you use. A flush pliers is important as it leaves the cut off end of the wire flush, while at the same time keeping the other end of the wire pointed and sharp. Round nose pliers are important as they are good for making loops with. Their flat smooth jaws make holding and gripping wire easy.

The ancient art of making wire wrap jewelry is back in fashion. Knowing how to make your own wire wrapped jewelry is a great way to unleash your creative abilities.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Why People Like Custom Jewelry

"Custom jewelry" refers to any jewelry that is made according to a buyer's specifications. One might expect it to be a little more costly than pre-made jewelry you buy at the store, but this will depend on the particular manufacturer. It may also depend somewhat on the request that has been made; if it is complicated and likely to be time consuming, or if the materials are expensive, then the cost will presumably be relatively high. Regardless, it can be well worth the extra cost if you end up with a beautiful, quality piece of jewelry that is tailored to your specifications.

There are a number of reasons why a person might want customized jewelry. Maybe they are looking for something that is difficult or impossible to find. For example, "family rings" are quite popular these days. They usually contain the birthstone of the person the ring is for, as well as the birthstones of the person's mother and father. However, some people come from unconventional families, and might want something different, such as the exclusion of one parent, or the inclusion of a beloved stepmother or stepfather. A custom made design can allow for the inclusion or exclusion of an individual, while still looking beautiful and balanced.

Another reason someone might want their jewelry to be custom made is so that the size can be tailored to their body size. If a person is particularly large boned or particularly small boned, it can be challenging to find rings or bracelets that fit properly. Requesting a custom made piece of jewelry will ensure a perfect fit. So, if you find a piece of jewelry that you absolutely adore, you need not worry if it does not come in your size, because chances are you can have that design in the right size custom made just for you.

A third reason to have jewelry custom made is to make it extra special and unique. It can be a great feeling to know that you are the only person in the world who owns a particular item. There might even be sentimental value involved in the customization of a body ornament. For instance, many people are opting to have engagement and wedding rings customized, often with engravings or special designs. The quality of custom made items is also typically higher than that of off-the-shelf items, which ensures durability.

So, no matter what the reason, there seems to be a market for custom jewelry. If you're looking for something specific with no success, or if you're after something special and unique, consider placing an order for custom made jewelry. It can be very gratifying to see your designs come to life!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Handmade Beaded Jewelry


When you head out looking for a piece of handmade beaded jewelry you need to put a bit of thought it into it before you start searching. Think about the person you're buying the gift for. What do they wear regularly? Do they like jewelry or do they save it for special occasions? Some people only wear jewelry at work, while others will switch out sets when they come home or head out for the evening. Take a moment to inventory the jewelry that your significant other wears.

Think about whether the jewelry you select should have any meaning. For instance, most people who love jewelry will often prefer gold or silver. Silver is a wonderfully flexible material, and you'll find that if you don't know which camp your lover falls into that silver makes a great compromise. It has a lovely, glowing sheen, and it tends to be harder than gold. Remember that pure silver is considered too soft to wear on a day to day basis, so think about getting sterling silver, or any other silver that has been alloyed to make it a little tougher.

The elaborateness of the piece of handmade beaded jewelry in question should also come into play. How complex are the decorations of the person that you are buying for? While some people prefer that their rings and necklaces should be very complex and detailed, other people prefer a real fluidity and simplicity of design. If your significant other is short and wouldn't mind looking taller, get longer necklaces with a V-shape. You'll also find that a choker or a U shaped necklace will shorten someone's appearance.

When you are looking for the pendants that will hang from the necklace, keep in mind that if your beloved has a fuller figure that they can complement their bodies with larger pieces. If your significant other is smaller, however, make sure that you don't overwhelm them with a piece that is too large.

Take a look and find out what is out there and make sure that you can make your loved one happy! Take some time to do your shopping and you'll find that finding handmade beaded jewelry that is one of a kind is a great deal easier than you think.

5 Reasons to buy Handcrafted Jewelry

Handcrafted jewelry makes a lovely Christmas present for women and teen girls. Handcrafted jewelry is also often referred to as Artisan jewelry. Artisan jewelry is some of the most beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. With skilled craftsmen working hard to make it meaningful, this jewelry is desirable by women all over the globe. It excels store-bought, mass-produced jewelry in a number of ways. Here are five reasons why Handcrafted Jewelry is a wonderful gift, followed by five things that you should know about Peruvian Artisan Jewelry in particular.

1. You get what you pay for. While most handcrafted jewelry is more expensive than store-bought jewelry, it is also typically better constructed and from better materials. Cheap jewelry requires the use of cheap materials and fast, often careless, labor.

2. Human Touch. Most people value goods which are handmade over those which are machine made or produced by nameless people. Cheap jewelry does not become a family heirloom the way handcrafted jewelry does.

3. Sweat shops. Mass-produced jewelry is typically made in factories with poor working conditions, where labor laws and safety codes are often violated. When you buy handcrafted jewelry designed and created by an independent craftsman, you can be assured that your money is not going to further fuel child labor or sweat shops.

4. Microeconomics. When you support an artisan or artisan community, you are supporting people, not large businesses. Your money doesn't go to a rich CEO or celebrity spokesmodel; it goes to the person who made the jewelry.

5. A Living Wage. If you examine a $5 department store bracelet and calculate the store's markup, the middle-man's markup, the transportation costs, the material and overhead costs, and then the worker's labor, you can assume that the person who made it received no more than a few pennies for her labor. Artisans who sell directly or through a company that promotes socially conscious consumerism, can enjoy a living wage.