Jewelry Business BlogFebruary 2005© by Rena Klingenberg; all rights reserved
The Jewelry Business Blog has essential jewelry business tips, information, questions, answers, and news that you won't find anywhere else!
February 28, 2005
Here's an interesting piece of jewelry history from returning guest author Sherry Matsen of Estate Jewelry International: History of Bakelite
Bakelite, the first completely synthetic plastic, was the accidental invention of Dr. Leo Baekeland. Find out why Bakelite became so popular, how to test pieces for authenticity, and why it finally became obsolete after its worldwide popularity. February 26, 2005 Depending on the style of your handcrafted jewelry, you may have some great selling opportunities at unusual types of shows. Historical events, science fiction/fantasy conventions, pet expos, ethnic celebrations, spring/fall fashion shows, holiday festivals, women's expos, fundraisers of all sorts, and other similar events can offer wonderful niche opportunities for marketing your jewelry. What public events in your area (beyond regular art and craft shows) might be a good fit with your jewelry line? Get on the mailing lists of your Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors' Bureau to receive their listings of upcoming events. February 25, 2005 Remember our first jewelry business success interview, with Paul Tarlow of Izm Studio? Paul publishes a second website, GlassFacts.info. If you're interested in glass art, you'll enjoy a visit there! February 23, 2005 I've just sent out Jewelry Business Success News issue #19 to 3954 subscribers. This issue features an unusual way to get your online visitors to read your blog or newsletter avidly, an article on getting customers to look at everything in your display, and a neat jewelry related website to visit. Subscribe to Jewelry Business Success News so you won't miss any issues. We've got tons of interesting and unique articles and features coming up in future issues! :o) February 19, 2005 I've just added an article by a wonderful new guest author, Christopher Gage of When Peace Talks jewelry for men and women: Ready to Start a Home Based Jewelry Business?
Taking the plunge into your own home based jewelry business is an exciting step. Find out if you have what it takes to run a successful home jewelry business. Thank you for your sharing your insights and experience, Christopher! :o) February 18, 2005 Returning guest author Angela Davis of Merry Jewelry discusses an important jewelry market niche: The Animal Jewelry Market Niche
Animal jewelry is a major market niche, and a great gift item. Guest author Angela Davis presents some of the most popular motifs and styles of animal jewelry. February 16, 2005 Since I divide my time between writing and jewelry making, I sometimes don't seem to fit in enough jewelry making time to keep my inventory well stocked. But I've discovered a neat way to schedule more time for making jewelry: I have a weekly jewelry-making jam session with my jewelry buddy, Laura Graham. One day a week we meet for breakfast and then go to her house for several hours of making jewelry. It's an intensely creative time, and I really look forward to it. We get a lot of jewelry made during our jam sessions. We also share new ideas and techniques, supplies and tools, good music, and a great time! If you have a nearby jewelry buddy, why not schedule a regular jewelry-making jam session? February 15, 2005 I receive many emails from teenage jewelry artists, asking how they can start selling their work and whether it's possible to start a jewelry business before you're an adult. So I've written an article especially for teenage jewelry artists: Success Tips for a Teenage Jewelry Artist
If you're a young jewelry artist, you have some great opportunities to sell your work and start your jewelry business. Here are ideas and success tips to get you started. Best of luck to all young jewelry artists! A huge part of success is believing that you will achieve your dreams. :o) February 14, 2005 My grandmother had quite a collection of costume jewelry, plus a smaller collection of it for her granddaughters to dress up in. If your life has ever been touched by costume jewelry, you'll be interested in our newest guest author's article: History of Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry came into being in the 1930s as a cheap, disposable accessory meant to be worn with a specific outfit. Guest author Sherry Matsen of Estate Jewelry International believes costume jewelry can add the finishing touch and show your fashion sense. Thank you for this fascinating history lesson, Sherry! :o) February 13, 2005 Does your creativity extend beyond jewelry? If so, you'll enjoy reading this article from our newest guest author, Patricia Snow: Creativity Yields Income Opportunities
Applying creativity to all aspects of your business can bring unique income opportunities. Guest author Patricia Snow of Patricia's Art Gallery demonstrates how she combines handcrafted jewelry with her other creative endeavors to yield a variety of income opportunities. Thank you for this neat perspective, Patricia! :o) February 12, 2005 By the end of winter, most of your customers are very ready for anything fresh and light that hints of spring and warmer weather. In your show and party displays, try incorporating a few fresh flowers. You might hang a pair of earrings from the stem of an iris laid horizontally, or wrap a strand of colored pearls around a slender bud vase. The flowers will draw customers like bees to honey, and will make your spring jewelry display look like the cure for winter blues. :o) February 10, 2005 This morning I sent out Jewelry Business Success News issue #18 to 3765 subscribers. This issue features an article on designing jewelry for the teenage market, three easy ways to clean the tarnish off of copper jewelry, and a neat jewelry related website to visit. Subscribe to Jewelry Business Success News so you won't miss any issues. You won't want to miss the interesting articles we have lined up for future issues! :o) February 7, 2005 Have you ever gotten your hands into a chunk of polymer clay, and felt the infinite possibilities of this material? Guest author Christine Haynes of Christine's Creations offers us some basics on the possibilities of designing with polymer clay: Polymer Clay - the chameleon of jewelry art
Polymer clay is a fantastic artistic material. Guest author Christine Haynes shows how its versatility enables an artist to sculpt it, carve it, stamp it, texture it, sand it, buff it, paint it, and build with it to create intriguing jewelry and beads. Thank you for this interesting article, Christine! :o) February 6, 2005 Many of us designed our first "jewelry lines" while growing up. My best friend and I designed an elaborate line of colored telephone wire jewelry - mostly armbands, barefoot sandals, and rings. If you were (or knew) a precocious jewelry artist, you'll enjoy this article from our newest guest author, Janice Wee of Cheapest Sale Jewelry: The Ice Cream Stick Earrings
Earrings made from found objects were one of author Janice Wee's top sellers in the costume jewelry business she operated as a boarding school student. Now, years later, she shares one of her "design secrets". Thank you for this wonderfully nostalgic story, Janice! :o) February 4, 2005 I'm very pleased to bring you a brand new jewelry business success story: Aislyn and Gary (Urban Maille ChainWorks)
Urban Maille ChainWorks is a home-based business that supplies precious metal rings and kits for chain and chainmaille jewelry. Aislyn tells how she and Gary turned their dream into a successful cottage industry. Thank you so much, Aislyn and Gary, for this inspiring behind-the-scenes look at the beginnings of Urban Maille ChainWorks. You've given us an extraordinary example of how, in your words, "good business happens when preparation intersects opportunity." :o) February 2, 2005 Returning guest author Angela Davis of Merry Jewelry has a trip down memory lane for us: Antique Jewelry
Antique jewelry has a timeless charm that never goes out of fashion. Guest author Angela Davis tells how to find vintage jewelry to give or to keep - a lovely way to relive a bygone era. Thank you for this pleasant journey into the past, Angela! :o) February 1, 2005 I have another good read for you today - a jewelry business success interview with Heather Kraty of Island Cowgirl Jewelry and Memory Beads: Heather Kraty of Island Cowgirl Jewelry
Heather Kraty shares the evolution of her Island Cowgirl jewelry business, from selling her line through shops and galleries across the U.S., to having her designs worn by celebrities and featured in magazines. Thanks so much, Heather! Your jewelry path is very inspiring. :o) Return to current month's Jewelry Business Blog. Return to all Jewelry Business Blog Archives. Return to Home Jewelry Business Success Tips home page.
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