You love to make jewelry but don’t like the impersonal process of making it for a retail outlet, ending up in the hands of “random people.”  How about switching gears and put your shingle out as a “Personal Jewelry Artist” with a tag line something like: “Custom-made jewelry you can afford!”  If you do this, you can build your client list of repeat customers, genuinely and uniquely create pieces that are just perfect for the person, and then be there whenever they need a repair or when they have a friend needing a piece or two.

Again, this is just another avenue for you to realize a commercial outlet for your talent and a secure one that will always put orders in your pipeline.  Additionally, when you have many pleased customers they will be your marketing resource, promoting you anytime you ask, including suggesting to their friends and family that you make holiday pieces and/or gifts for yet others.

Approaching jewelry sales this way is just like being commissioned to do a painting.  It is your job to translate what someone is asking for into the piece they desire.  Creating custom pieces like this can also fetch a higher price.  And finally, it fits in the world of fashion as much as a “personal shopper” or a tailor – it’s just that you don’t hear about it that much!  As a result of it not being so common only means you’ll have to be clear when you promote your business in this way and you probably won’t have much competition!

First start off with friends and family to spread the world – creating a nice piece of creative showing off your product – both as pieces and of someone wearing them.  Don’t go “cheap” on this promotional piece since it will be your storefront.  Hire a designer, have the photographs professionally shot, and then get it printed in full color professionally.  The cost of printing is low now-a-days since it has all gone, “digital.”

Be sure to include in your brochure a clear list of what you offer, how it is custom, what wire jewelry supplies/materials you will use and probably most importantly, an “ideas” list to trigger possible order ideas for those who read it.  For example, you might want to list various jewelry pieces you make like “rings” or maybe a baby’s baptismal bracelet, or wine glass jewelry; possibly an anniversary necklace or golden 50 ring.  Consider also listing “costume grade jewelry” since non-experts may automatically think your service is out of their price-range.  Also, list custom one-of-a-kind pieces just so that prospective clients know they can get that from you too – again communicating ideas is what you need to do as quickly as possible in your brochure.

So, if you are so inclined to expand your business or are starting out new, consider promoting yourself as a “Personal Jewelry Artist” and enjoy the great benefits!

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Do you love jewelry, especially rings, but you just can’t justify the time to search for what you really love nor want to spend the money for a designer to make you one?  Well, do the next best thing – make it yourself!  This might seem to be a tall order but with some instruction, you will not only create exactly what you want, but discover a new talent and add some new creative enjoyment to your life.

Wire Sculpture provides instructional jewelry making DVDs for you to quickly learn how to make wire jewelry rings, wrapping wire with stones and beads.  You will learn how to mix wire colors for stunning results, how to make tight rosettes, as well as tease and connect methods – all easily with step by step instructions.

The wire jewelry expert presenting on the DVDs is Dale “Cougar” Armstrong, a many-year veteran of creating and teaching wire jewelry techniques.  She teaches systematically, building on learning with the goal of advancing abilities with each step.  She shows easy ways also, to achieve results such as how to create the correct prong lengths and how to make shapes that fit faceted stones.  She also demonstrates how to use tools, offers information on cut stone terminology and provides sizing formulas so you get it right every time.

Included with the instructional DVDs are formula cards and written follow-up directions for each and every project so that you have the confidence to create beautiful, unique wire jewelry rings.  You also get bonus items such as a project photo album that contains pictures of each project, both back and front views, in large detail.

Whether you are a beginner or intermediate wire jewelry designer, the wire jewelry instructional videos are for you.  This is a brand new DVD set, just released and was produced in high definition (HD) quality.

So, whether you are looking to create rings for yourself to match various fashion pieces in your closet, or rings as gift items for the holidays, order your DVD now and get started.  You’ll find that creating rings will be very satisfying to your need to be creative!

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Hi Everyone!

A few days ago we announced that we would be donating a portion of ALL DVD sales through the month of October to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. We felt that it was a large enough cause that we needed to get involved and help make a difference for those that are struggling with this terrible disease.

The response has been overwhelming! We appreciate the generosity of all those who have contributed thus far during the month of October. If you’d like to help make a contribution by purchasing DVDs – Click Here.

I received an email last Friday from Clifford Cameron, one of our valuable customers. He had a great idea for a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundrasing idea that I wanted to pass along to everyone. Here is what he said:

“This being cancer awareness month, I decided to share with you something I made up for breast cancer research. I made this using 14/20 gold filled wire. The center piece is a 2006 25 cent piece. These are getting hard to find because most people horde them, however, they are still available. These are being made in memory of my daughter who I lost to breast cancer a few years ago. I sell these locally for $30.00 and donate $15.00 back to breast cancer research. The ideas for Breast Cancer Awareness pieces really are as limited as wherever your imagination takes you.”

Take Care!

Brandon Hutchins
Wire-Sculpture.com

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Talent of any kind is not innate but as a result of practicing an aptitude until a level of achievement demonstrates expertise – and hence then, is an artist born.  The same can also be said of becoming a wire jewelry artist – you’re not born one, you develop yourself into being one.

What then are the steps?  First of all, you need to discover if you have an innate talent for creating “things” with your hands that match what you envision in your mind.  Many would love to be an artist, painting murals or figurines, even pottery or designing glass sculpture.  But, if you can not realize through your hands what you see in your mind, you don’t have the artist access required to become that artist.

There is also the requirement, when working with wire jewelry, to be able to think in 3D.  Why?  Because the craft of making wire jewelry requires thinking in dimensions, placement, color and texture.  Without being able to integrate all of these elements, it is difficult to be this kind of artist.

If you have some innate talent as described above, then you are ripe to become an artist at wire jewelry making.  The next step is then to practice it.  Practicing each step then is what is necessary – first practicing the art through another expert’s knowledge either in a course or through reading / video demonstrations.  Follow the instructions and then reach beyond them adding in your innate knowing to improve upon the piece.  Continue to improve upon what you learn.

Finally, after you have repeatedly learned and followed good techniques and expanded upon them to make them your own, you are ready to start designing your own pieces from within yourself.  Start small and build upon it.  Then get feedback from an expert.  Find encouragement.  Learn about yourself and find out exactly where your “sweet spot” is.

At the end of the day and about 10 years later you will be a wire jewelry expert with a reputation and a following.  Experts aren’t born.  They are developed and it does take about 10 years to become one, in any field…most of all enjoy your journey there!

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The holidays are quickly approaching and each of us has a long list of gift items to buy over the next couple of months!  How about looking into the fun craft of wire jewelry making and make some wire jewelry for your friends and family members?

First of all creating wire jewelry is easy and it’s fun.  You can create beautiful pieces from pattern kits that include all of the materials, instructions and tools that you need.  Visit wire-sculpture.com to find a wide array of wire jewelry making supplies.

Secondly, this type of gift is unique in that it is handcrafted by you with the love and care you have for the person you are making it for.  I have been given wire jewelry as a gift, made by a friend that knows me well.  It’s a very special item still in my collection of favorite pieces.

Thirdly, you will save time shopping from store to store looking for the perfect gift.  Instead, spend the time making that perfect gift.  Be sure to do a little research before you launch in by looking at what types of jewelry pieces these special friends of yours currently wear.  While you might want to do something “different” you might not want to stray too far from their style.

Finally, order your jewelry supplies in plenty of time so that you have enough time to get them done.  Each piece will take you several hours depending upon intricacies.  You may even want to adventure beyond a kit and find a pattern in a book or magazine.  If needed, you can reach out to someone to ask specifically what the best materials to use will be, in the event the book or magazine doesn’t spell it out.

All in all, creating wire jewelry for holiday gifts will be wonderful for your friends along with the added benefit of learning a new skill.  Hopefully after the holidays you will find time to make yourself some pieces!

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