Charm Bracelet Diva's Go-to Website of the Day

August 29, 2009

If you're a novice charm bracelet-making diva like me, I'm sure you can't  help but be somewhat overwhelmed by the results of a simple Google search: Jewelry making.  The results are astounding. Where to begin?  I'm hoping to lead you to some good sites that fit your jewelry-making needs.  To do this I need to scour the net and report back.  By the same token, you, my readers, need to read what I've written, make your own decision, and comment!

Today I'd like to introduce you to http://www.fusionbeads.com/.  First off, they have FREE SHIPPING!  Something I absolutely look for in a jewelry-making supply company.  They also have a nice inventory of beading reference information as well as more than 100 "beading techniques."  I use the term "beading" loosely again here because their techniques run the gamut from working with wire to knotting, coiling, twisting, stamping, bead weaving and more.  They also just scored a new style of beads, charms and pendants from Earthenwood Studios -- check it out if you're into Steampunk!  I know I will.

Question of the day, and it's a loaded one:  What should someone charge for their handmade piece of jewelry online (not including shipping, of course)?  I saw someone from a jewelry website say that you should double the cost of materials and then add in labor costs, deciding how much per hour you believe your work is worth.  When I do this, the price seems really disproportionate to the actual cost.  Let me know what you think and if you have any guidelines to live by in this instance.  I sure could use some advice.

 

Beads and charms, beads and charms

August 23, 2009

In my last post I promised some beading resource tips.  I should clarify here that I use the term "beading" loosely.  I am interested in beading, but my main interest is in creating charm bracelets with beads as well as charms.  Love 'em both.  So you'll learn about both!


For starters, go to www.jewelrymakingprofessor.com.  You'll find some great video clips for various jewelry-making techniques.  As a beginner I found them quite helpful.  I stumbled upon this website and it's pretty funny because the website's creator lives in my old home town of Ambler, PA.  Small world for real. 


Another book I like is "beadsimple, essential techniques for making jewelry just the way you want it" by Susan Beal.  Great info on tools, materials, design, color and various jewelry making techniques including earrings, necklaces, pendants and bracelets. 


Right now I'm listening to www.pandoraradio.com and it is awesome!  You can actually create your own "radio station" online and it plays only music you love!  I find it's essential for blogging, jewelry making and scrapbooking.  At least in my house, that is.  Once the kiddos are in bed it's mom's time to chill and be creative. 


Next post I'll fill you in on a few jewelry supply websites I've found where maybe you can find some good prices on beads, charms, tools and other supplies --  at least better than the local craft store....lastly, I've got a new fall bracelet design I've named "Golden Acorns."  Can't wait to put it all together.  And I swear one of these days I'll actually learn how to put pictures on my blog so you can see I'm not just making up these charm bracelets I keep talking about!  Seriously.      

Blogging for Idiots

August 21, 2009

 No disrespect intended -- I count myself to be in the aforementioned group.  SO, I've been trying to find out as much as I can about how to start a blog and I've come up with the name Darren Rowse and the website http://www.problogger.net/.  He's a well-respected authority on blogging and his site is something worth checking out.  I'm thoroughly immersed in his "Blogging Tips for Beginners" which will take me quite some time to digest.

In the meantime, I've been dreaming of beautiful jewelry designs-- I even designed and created my first freelance charm bracelet.  It's named Bauble Jar.  Pearls, pearls, pearls are the bead of the day. I have a feeling that they will be pervasive in my work as they are what I love.  Pearls and vintage ephemera.  My next post will share with you some great resources for beading, with and without pearls.  Happy blogging.      

Found a great book

August 18, 2009

So much research is going into this stuff, I thought I'd share some of my "finds" with you -- from a jewelry making perspective, that is. Right now I'm reading a great book called "Beading with Charms" by Katherine Duncan Aimone. This book has been distributed worldwide and I can see why -- it is very user-friendly and the photos are great. It sets out the tools and techniques you need to make charm bracelets and more. (I'm partial to charm bracelets of all kinds.) There are 35 great projects, which is more than enough for everyone to find their favorite. My absolute favorite is "Outrageous," page 44. But I also love "Waves ", page 84, "Forever Yours," page 100 and "City Nights," page 108. Okay, I really do love charm bracelets!

I found it (in hardcover!) from www.Amazon.com for the low price of $13.57 plus shipping. A great deal! I was so proud of myself:) Good luck with these projects and I'll hopefully have some of these projects on my website one of these days (after I get the website up and running, of course.... more on that later).
Okay, so this creative process really takes time, at least for me. I have so many jewelry design ideas, and so little time to implement them! Between checking jewelry websites,blogs and tutorials to learning about blogging, marketing, etc. I'm pretty busy without even actually making the jewelry! Anyway, I am going to post a success story one of these days and refer you to my website where you can view and purchase some original jewelry for you or someone you love. Wish me luck!
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