Making and Selling Jewelry - Psych Yourself

by Jean Forman
( Lucky Sea Glass^TM )

Having been a certified school psychologist for almost thirty years and a jewelry designer for three, I can't help but use my unique perspective in crafting and marketing my jewelry. I hope that some of these ideas might help others, too.

1. Be Flexible.

I have found in designing my sea glass jewelry that often the wire wrapping doesn't work or the gemstones don't look right or whatever seems to go wrong.

Rather than working forever on a frustrating piece, I will leave it and come back to it later. And, usually, I find that it is best to be flexible and start all over from the beginning with a new idea.

2. Be Persistent.

This goes with the above. You can't give up every time you hit a road block or someone criticizes your work or you lose a sale.

Keep in mind the positives - that others have bought and/or admired your work, that you have had sales, that you enjoy what you have made!

3. Be Confident.

Having a positive attitude is always attractive and often leads to success. If people see you enjoy what you are doing, they will enjoy it, too.

Granted, artists are usually pretty insecure about their work and wonder if others enjoy it, but we must overcome our insecurities if we are to continue to create.

It takes a lot of courage, I know, to approach a shopowner or apply for a juried show, but you will gain more confidence as you learn to market. Remember your successes when you get that turn down!

4. Improve Your Skills.

If you keep on doing the same thing over and over, it gets to be routine. With the internet, books, classes, and your own creativity, you can develop new skills and ideas.

According to Freudians, there is no growth without anxiety, so it is important to take some risks in order to learn those new skills.

5. Enjoy Your Passion.

If you are not enjoying the creative process, then find out why. Perhaps you have made it into a job or habit rather than a love.

It should be fun to decide what materials to use, to find them, to design a piece, and, yes, even to market it.

Good luck to you!

Jean H. Forman
Lucky Sea Glass^TM