At the holidays each of us is looking for ways to find something special for the ones we love and what better way than to have a piece of jewelry hand-crafted!  This year, remind your friends and family that you’ll “take orders” for wire jewelry pieces!

When you ask for business, be clear up front that you are in the business of making jewelry and so while you will give your friend or family member a “special deal,” you will still charge them for materials and labor – your time!  This will help you earn a little extra cash for the holidays and help everyone get something special to give.

In addition to making new wire jewelry pieces you might want to offer “coupons” for wire jewelry repair.  Sometimes we have pieces of jewelry in our jewelry boxes that are in need of it but don’t know where to turn to get things fixed.  There should be some good upside in repair work since it doesn’t take long and the cost of materials will be nominal – here you charge for your time (setting an hourly rate you want to work at and billing accordingly).

You might take it a step further for the holidays and have a wire jewelry making party where you supply the kits (at retail) to friends and family, inviting them to come and make a holiday gift for someone.  You might also have a party showcasing the pieces you have made, serving tea, coffee and some holiday cookies.  Not only does this provide a sales channel but reminds your friends and family of your business and your talent!

Finally, during the holidays it is also a good time to showcase your work on yourself.  Make some holiday pieces that grab attention and when someone compliments you on it, hand them your business card with a smile!

Happy Holidays!

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!

Do you love jewelry and wish you could make your own?   Do you often search for pieces of jewelry to match what you like but have a hard time finding the right shape or color?  Are you a stickler for having jewelry that matches each outfit?  If so, maybe you should consider making your own jewelry.

If so, you will start as a beginner and need some tips and techniques to refine your jewelry desires into actual pieces you create.  Beyond the need to create jewelry that you want to wear is also the love of the art form.  You will probably find that creating pieces that match your style, fashion sense and innate need for adornment, will be quite fulfilling and you’ll want to continue to improve your skill sets.

To start making your own jewelry you will need knowledge from experts.  You will also need jewelry making supplies.

Search the web for information on wire jewelry making, design ideas, tips on how to set up and organize your studio, where to find materials and tools, how to use tools, fashion trends, color theory, silver and gold information, tips on cleaning silver, how to purchase supplies wholesale, buying gemstone beads, storage tips, chain making, and much, more.  You can also study techniques from industry experts, read books, attend classes, and get help from books.

And best of all you can make earrings, bracelets, pins, necklaces, and rings to match any outfit in your wardrobe. You can make bold and earthy pieces or light and delicate pieces to suit your taste and mood. You can even make beautiful pieces for family and friends – they make wonderful gifts. And maybe, just maybe, you can start a business and earn money to support your wire jewelry making habit – which is what most people who start making jewelry end up having – a habit, albeit a good one!

If you’re feeling the urge to make some wire jewelry and have never done it before, you’ll want your first project to be successful.  I know when I first started I went out and bought all sorts of beautiful things to make a necklace – just because the materials inspired me.  I spent quite a bit of money and the result was a lot less than what I’d hoped for.  Why?  I couldn’t craft what I had envisioned in my mind because I had no experience.

So, I recommend that you find a wire jewelry pattern kit with instructions to create your first piece.  With this success under your belt you’ll have the confidence to try out new things.  But, keep on learning, one piece at a time, adding in new materials / supplies and techniques you learn along the way.

Be sure to learn the terminology as well so that when you do read books or articles you understand what is being discussed.  Study how wire jewelry making supplies are used, such as the size and shape of wire – which specifications are best used for the jewelry you want to create.

Finally, stick with a plan on each piece after your first.  Taking a pile of leftovers and trying to make jewelry will probably not have the result you want.  It’s best to plan, purchase wire jewelry supplies, and then set aside the time to do it.  Why not stick with patterns and then do some modifications to them to learn more.

Take a class from a local expert or invest in your jewelry making hobby by purchasing a DVD or eBook on the subject – there are many!

The key however, is to have each creation be an enjoyable experience and not one of frustration.  This approach is important in any new hobby.  You can always buy a bunch of supplies to get started, but without a plan and pattern to follow you will probably be disappointed with the outcome!  Happy wire jewelry making!

It’s easy in life to get bogged down with the essentials of homemaking, childcare, and paying the bills.  It’s not so easy to do something for yourself let alone take up a hobby just for fun!  So, this article is to help you see the intrinsic value of such a decision to offset the tangible objections that probably pop into your head about why you “shouldn’t” – such as, “It costs too much,” or “I don’t have time.”

Hobbies, by definition, are purely for personal enjoyment.  This means that there is no goal of gaining monetarily or knowledge-wise.  It’s just for the fun of it.  So then, why have fun?  Fun is a stress-reliever because when a person is in the act of fun, he/she is not dwelling on problems or worries.  So, to start off, a very high intrinsic value is found in stress relief.

Beyond stress reduction is the boost in self-esteem that a hobby can give the partaker.  When a skill is mastered or a new level of experience is reached, the resulting emotion is that of achievement. This then in turn makes a person improve their opinion of themselves.

Finally, the type of hobby you may choose is what delivers the greatest value by providing a medium for expressing inner thoughts, feelings, and talents that a person may not even know exist.  As an example, selecting wire jewelry making as the hobby, it is a craft rooted in ancient civilizations that suggests the person is inspired by beauty and adornment.  This is a hobby that provides artistic stimulation and jewelry pieces that can be worn by the hobbyist, shared with friends or given as gifts that will be cherished for a very long time.

So, let’s look deeper at why selecting wire jewelry making is a good hobby choice and then jump right in.  First of all, let’s look at the “costs too much,” objection.  If you are a beginner, start with instructions first; read books and watch DVD’s on various wire jewelry making ideas.  This will cost you very little.

Next you will want to graduate to buying a starter kit that will get your hands into the work of making wire jewelry.  Starter kits are all under $100 and will supply you with materials, instructions and tools to further your learning.  And of course, learning never stops – so be sure to read free blogs and get tips that answer your questions.  After you’ve reached this level then it’s time to invest in wire jewelry making supplies.  Be sure to buy your supplies from a company that has a 30-day money back guarantee in the event you buy something that you want to return or exchange.  Take your time and get advice about what to buy as you begin your hobby.  Taking a class locally is always great fun and a good experience as you’ll meet other wire jewelry hobbyists that share your passion.

If you have the objection that you don’t have time then the best thing to do is make time by eliminating something in your life that is of less value to you such as “sleeping in,” or watching TV.

Finally, be sure to keep it a hobby by immersing yourself in it for fun, relaxation, joy and personal growth.  There really is no excuse not having a hobby – they are always around us, pick one!