The Beautiful Handmade Bridal Jewellery

If you want to be innovative with your bridal jewelery, handmade ornaments are an amazing choice. These brilliant jewels are prepared manually making use of no machines which give them an original and creative touch.

Although there are a lot of bridal jewelery options which you would come across on the internet, however, the handmade pieces are very distinctive and luring. As your wedding day calls for something out of the ordinary, handmade bridal jewelry can do the trick for you. These carefully designed ornaments will make you look stunning and a gorgeous bride. The warmth and chic attached to these jewels are matchless.

Being your bridal jewelry, whatever you wear ought to carry love and chic in it as well for which handmade pieces is perfect embodiment. Not only this, handmade bridal jewelery is a great options for those who have a tight budget yet they which to make the best of this occasion and obtain bridal jewellery which would make them look just perfect.

Handmade bridal jewelleries, be they necklaces or earrings, appear as stunning pieces of art and style which mesmerize the onlooker and give added confidence and joy to the wearer.

You can find some amazing handmade jewelry online as well in your local jewelery store. However, to be able to make the best choice of handmade jewelery, keep your dress design in mind. If your bridal jewelery is not in harmony with your dress, no matter how great a handmade ornament you wear it will not make you look perfect.

This is because the bridal jewelery together with the dress makes a perfect match and makes you look like the dream bride. It is not wrong to state that the best handmade jewelery has to complement your wedding dress. Otherwise no matter how expensive a factory made or handmade jewelery you wear, you will fail to create the look you deserve.

Be it the necklace or your earrings or ring, make sure the color as well as the material of your handmade bridal jewelery is appropriate and inline with the latest trends to make you look like the prettiest bride on earth.

Handmade Jewelry Replenishes, Expresses the Creative Impulse

Impossible to quantify, inevitable in even the most mundane of tasks, the creative spirit feeds most human efforts. The creative impulse, likely the only commonality behind all endeavors great and small, is as innate as our sense of breathing.

A recent development in expressing the creative impulse, handmade enamel jewelry, actually has its origins in some of mankind's earliest civilizations. Handmade jewelry dates back dozens of centuries, and examples can be found among the surviving relics of the Ancient Roman and Egyptian empires. It's not a new form, but new innovations in the creation tools and new ways of approaching their design are giving the ancient art form a new lease on life for the 21st Century.

The Creative Impulse and The Workings of Narrative

Narratives - more commonly called stories - build themselves on one event leading into another, often with as much unpredictability as possible. In creating jewelry that highlights both iconic and mythological symbols, the handmade enamel jewelry maker is able to incorporate narrative symbols that help the viewer's mind recognize and interpret narratives on its own. The unpredictability in this case comes from the surprise at the jewelry piece's detail, or in finding how the symbol represented on the jewelry evokes and celebrates its own particular narrative.

Enamel jewelry craftsman John Madsen says the finished product both rewards his own creative impulse but also incorporates his work into a larger story. "In making handmade enamel jewelry, you become part of the spread of the story the jewelry represents," Madsen explains. "Even the most abstract designs, as well as those that are designed with a particular aesthetic in mind, challenge the creative impulse, if only to picture more such works like the ones [you see] here."

Crafting Jewelry With A Creative Impulse In Mind

Like its close cousin, fused glass ornaments, handmade enamel jewelry is often used to fire the creative impulse. Like the tree of life pendant, a popular fused glass work of ornamental jewelry, many jewelry pieces are meant not to just to reflect the imagination of the artist but also to fire the creative and cognitive impulses within the viewer. For example, in viewing the tree of life pendant, many viewers are provoked into thinking about its meaning, and which particular mythology to which it belongs. That may also prompt thoughts regarding to spirituality and to one's own spiritual development.

If that seems like a lot to ask from a single piece of jewelry, many handmade enamel and fused glass jewelry craftsmen see their work as not just ornamental but also representative. The jewelry work itself becomes almost totemic, meant not just to adorn but also to recall their symbols' tremendous spiritual potency.

"You get the sense when you create these pieces that you're really contributing to something larger than yourself," Madsen explains. "When you get that rush of seeing the finished work, it's even sometimes a little humbling. You've created art, not just for the sake of art but also to contribute to a larger understanding. That helps everybody."

How to Sell a Ton of Handmade Jewelry Right in Your Own Home Town!

There are a variety of simple ways to market your jewelry right in your own home town without spending aloof of time or a money. If you're serious about increasing your jewelry sales, give some of these simple marketing techniques a try:

1. Wear your jewelry everywhere you go. You probably interact with jewelry lovers every day of your life as you carry out your daily activities. What woman doesn't like jewelry to some extent? Highlight the beauty of your jewelry by wearing it with a simple, plain colored top so your necklace becomes the focal point. When someone compliments your jewelry design, be prepared to give them further information.

2. Carry business cards with you everywhere you go. Post your card on bulletin boards, put them in fishbowls at restaurants, leave them on restaurant tables with your tip. Give one to your dentist, hairdresser, tailor, and anyone else you may come in contact with on a daily basis. It's a low key way to network.

3. Invest in a car sign to advertise your business when you drive around during the day. This is one of the best investments you can make in terms of time and money. Be sure to include your website address in big bold letters on your sign.

4. Be friendly and approachable. You'll establish many more contacts for your jewelry line this way, plus you'll make more friends!

5. Donate a piece of your handmade jewelry to a charity auction. This is a great way to get you name out in the community as a jewelry designer. Plus, you're helping a good cause at the same time.

6. Learn everything you can about your customers. How old are they? What do they wear? Where do they live? Study their habits, wants, and needs. This will allow you to better optimize your sales material, flyers, and your jewelry designs to meet their particular needs.

7. Be active in your community by volunteering a few hours a week. This is a great way to make new contacts while establishing a reputation for giving back to your community.

8. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and attend meetings when possible. You local chamber can provide you with so many opportunities for networking. This is one group you definitely want to be a part of if you're serious about marketing your jewelry designs.

9. Visit local retail stores to see if they might be good markets for your jewelry. Keep an open mind. The markets for handmade jewelry extend far beyond the standard boutique and gallery. Consider hair salons, spas, nail salons, hospital gift shops, shoe stores, and other small businesses to be potential markets to sell your jewelry.

10. Market to local groups of which you're already a member. Do you belong to a church? Could you use your jewelry to help your church raise much needed funds? Offer to have a small church jewelry show to sell your jewelry and give the church a percentage of your profits.

11. Network with your local bead store. They may want you to do custom designs for their customers. You could also teach classes or give a trunk show of your designs at their store.

12. Offer to do trunk shows at local boutiques and galleries in your area. Many smaller boutiques and galleries would love to have the opportunity to sell your jewelry to their customers at no risk to them. Retail stores love the publicity that special events create!

13. Write a press release about your jewelry designs and submit it your local newspapers and magazines. This can bring in a ton of business very quickly.

Hopefully, these ideas will get you started thinking about how you can best market your handmade jewelry in your local community. It’s a great way to sell more jewelry!

Jewelers - How to Choose a Reputable One

Purchasing handmade jewelry can be an expensive, and often intimidating, affair. Most people have little knowledge of the industry and its products, and this unfortunately makes them ripe for the taking by disreputable jewelry dealers. Here are a few tips to find a jewelry dealer in whom you can trust.

Find out how long a particular dealer has been in business, and check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints against them. Just because a specific retailer is new doesn't mean you shouldn't consider patronizing them. New dealers should be given extra scrutiny, however, since they don't have a track record to refer to.

Ask what gemological credentials the jeweler has. Also find out if there is a gemologist on staff at the jeweler's location, and if the store has its own laboratory. Determine if the store offers any special services such as custom design, unusual gemstones or photography. Some dealers even offer educational programs for their customers.

You must learn what the return policy is for the store you are considering. If you make a return, will you get a full refund, or store credit? How many days do you have to make a return? What are the terms to make a return? Also, what is the retailer's repair or replacement policy?

Don't be afraid to ask to take a piece of jewelry "on approval." This is analogous to an extended "test-drive." Chances are the jeweler will not agree to this, but it can't hurt to ask. If you don't ask, you won't know.

Very importantly, find out to what extent the firm will guarantee its merchandise to be as represented. Be sure all details regarding a piece of jewelry, as certified by a licensed gemologist, are included on the bill of sale. Failure to see to this point could lead to disappointment.

Finally, what is the atmosphere of the store? Are displays orderly and tasteful, or are they a jumble of marked-down items designed to lure you, the potential customer. How does the staff present themselves? Are salespeople informative, helpful and unassuming? Or are they pushy and manipulative?

If after performing thorough due diligence you feel uncomfortable with a jeweler, then move on to another. Following these tips will help a lot, but there is also much to be said for instinct. If a deal doesn't feel right, don't do it.

Handmade Jewelry Boxes

Handmade jewelry boxes look different from jewelry boxes produced in factories, in terms of class and elegance. Their price is often very high. Though their supply is limited, they are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, textures, finishes and prices. If you are still not able to find one, it is always better to search for them online.

However, this carries a risk too. It is difficult to verify the claims made by sellers that the jewelry box bought by you is handmade. Any expert may be able to tell the difference but a common buyer cannot. In some cases, the jewelry box may be partly handmade and partly machine-made. In fact, such jewelry boxes have flooded the market, though most of them are being sold as fully handmade jewelry boxes.

To be sure that one is buying a handmade jewelry box, one should go for antique jewelry boxes. Until a couple of centuries back, all jewelry boxes were handmade. There are certain companies which offer to make handmade jewelry boxes available according to individual tastes and preferences. That could, however, cost one a great deal.

Most of the handmade jewelry boxes are generally made of wood. This is because wooden boxes often last longer than metallic boxes, are much easier to make, and most of the time look more elegant, also.

Handmade jewelry boxes are made differently all over the world. However, they can be ordered from anywhere in the world, as many of them are displayed online. A connoisseur of handmade jewelry boxes must keep track of various offline and online auctions where such items are made available quite often.

Jewelry Boxes provides detailed information on Jewelry Boxes, Jewelry Display Boxes, Jewelry Gift Boxes, Handmade Jewelry Boxes and more. Jewelry Boxes is affiliated with Wholesale Jewelers.

Hip Handmade Jewelry

Projects from the editor of BeadStyle magazine Cathy Jakicic Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry is one of the newest publications from Kalmbach Books. Cathy says the idea for Memory Jewelry came after she attended a scrapbook event with a friend of hers. While there, working on a beading project, she began to realize how these 2 creative endeavors were alike. The scrapbooking group was fascinated by her project and how she designed and constructed it.The result is over 25 jewelry creations that are inspired by special occasions, divided into 4 categories: milestones, hobbies, vacations and remembrances. Yes, we all know the endless varieties of charm bracelets and pictures in small frames on pendants and keychains. But Cathy's projects go far beyond these common theme designs.

MILESTONES

Be sure you check out the decoupage bracelet; who thought of creating a way to remember wallpaper or paint. The handmade birthstone jewelry was very personal and I liked these much more than pre-made, pre-formed standard pieces. Yes, the mini memory book pendant was a bit too trite for me, but other scrapbookers might love the concept. Creating beads from special paper, such as gift wrap, or napkins from your baby shower was another neat idea others might like, but not exactly my cup of tea. Cathy describes a reward bracelet----I liked using this for myself, adding a bead for each POUND lost on my diet, and maybe a slightly larger one for every 5 lbs. That is a prime example of how you may look at one of her designs and immediately see a new and innovative way to turn it into your own project.

HOBBIES

Cathy described a project to commemorate a child's recital....while that didn't particularly appeal to me, it did spark my own creativity, as I thought about how I could take a program and use it to create a memory keepsake. I also like the pop culture project; I may have to use this to create a design for my best friend, who is dedicated movie buff. I could use movie posters and create a unique bracelet and earrings, with a slightly large set for a necklace. I think this could also work for books or album/CD covers. Oh, all of us remember our grade school art work being displayed on the refrigerator door (wonder what they ever did before refrigerators?). Cathy has a neat plan to co-op those into pendants.

VACATIONS

I enjoyed the photobook/memory book charm or bookmark project; there would be endless variations on just this project alone! An earlier project showing how to personalize a sports bag or backpack could also be a variation on this theme. Her map bead project was also very original and could be used in many ways to commemorate a trip.

REMEMBRANCES

Cathy has different projects with photos, and a piece of cloth from your baby blanket or christening dress. But my fav was one that created a keepsake memory box with an autograph, quote or even haiku, if you wish. And, the baby blanket scrap is just fun and funny.

I thought the way she structured the book into 4 design 'types" was great, since it helped me, at least, to think about the types of events that I might like to commemorate from my own life. As an example, I have small dried flowers from my husband's grandmother's funeral that I plan to put between microscope slides and solder for pendants for my step daughter, sister in law and mother in law. No, it isn't the same as some of Cathy's projects, but it is a way to remember someone without being maudlin or dramatic. I think that is one of the things she accomplishes with her projects; giving us positive, unique ways to keep a special memory "alive."

Well I do hope I didn't spoil all your fun.....if you like creating personal keepsakes, or are a scrapbooker looking to "branch out" this book may be a great place to start. I think these projects would be wonderful to create personalized gifts. College girls, or your younger daughters might enjoy this to create thoughtful gifts that would be cherished but not expensive. You can find this online at Kalmbach Books.

Funky Designer Jewelry

Source: Wendy Pan

Funky designer jewelry can be purchased from a department store, online store, eBay or you can even make your own. People who are drawn to funky jewelry are the people who like to be unique. Funky jewelry is noticeable, quirky, stylish, colorful, exotic. The type of jewelry you wear is reflective of your personality.

Dressed to the nines may not be enough if you don't complete your outfit with just the right accessories. Jewelry is the ornament on the tree, it captures and reflects light and makes you look dazzling. It's a good idea to have as many interchangeable pieces as you can, with an eye toward matching and complimenting your current wardrobe. If you are fond of wearing browns and tans, brown leather cording and coordinating pendants look quite nice. If you like blacks, silver is exceptionally pretty.

Funky Designer Jewelry: The Bangles

Bangle bracelets have become more and more popular throughout the years. They might be in the form of many thin bracelets jangling together on your wrist, or they might be one big heavy thick bracelet. Depending on the outfit, both are perfectly acceptable and fashionable. Some bangles are so thick and large they are referred to as "cuffs" because they are nearly the size of a cuff on a shirt. These tend to be quite ornate, studded with amazing stones and perfect with a sleeveless or halter dress.

You can find bangle bracelets made of nearly every material, and of course, in the traditional sterling silver and gold. They can also be made of velvet, wood, porcelain and nearly anything that can be affixed to a basic plastic bangle (like small felt flowers, ribbons, etc).

Funky Designer Jewelry: Pendant Necklaces

Nothing says "Look at me!" more than a gorgeous pendant necklace. In days past, a pendant necklace would be the focal point of the necklace. But now, with variations creeping up in all the designers fashions, even the necklace portion itself may be adorned with beads, charms or various crystals.

Pendant necklaces, when worn with no other jewelry, can make a statement for you without you even saying a word. Choose your pendants wisely, again, base it on what catches your eye, what speaks to you, like your birthstone, your favorite gem, your favorite color, or a combination of all three that truly is funky.

Funky Designer Jewelry: Earrings

Earrings may be the boldest of all funky designs to wear because being closest to your face they are the most noticeable. Many earring designs relate to certain holidays. Black cats, pumpkins and candy corn for Halloween. Christmas trees, tiny wrapped presents and candy canes for Christmas. If celebrating the holidays via your ears is not your style, you can purchase or make your own earrings in the shapes of hearts, flowers or any number of interesting designs. Funky earrings usually take on many different elements of color and material. Metal combined with crystal, high quality plastic combined with wood.

Funky jewelry is a fun way to convey your personality to the rest of the world. Stock up when you spot sales, as it's also fun to mix and match pieces and to make them into truly your own style.

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!

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.