Fall is filled with color, and I love how nature inspires my jewelry designs during this season. About a month ago I went through my entire staff and turned everything that was copper, brass, earthy brown hues, reds, and magenta onto my workspace all with the end goal of making fall necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. What was left was an overwhelming array of color, inspiration, and elements that I’ve been slowly putting into cohesive jewelry designs since. I want to share four of my favorite fall necklace designs, both new and old, perfect for the fall season but also ideal […]
Balanced and Beautiful Handmade Jewelry
As a jewelry designer, I always strive to make beautiful handmade jewelry. That being said, sometimes I can look at a design I’m working on and know that it’s just not perfect yet. That may be why I have projects that wait weeks, months, or even years before they’re created; something isn’t quite right and I’m waiting for the right inspiration to help me with the overall design. The same thing goes when I’m trying to reproduce any of my already made jewelry designs. While my jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind, sometimes I like the finished design enough to try and […]
College Spirit Football Jewelry
Inspiration can hit at the most random moments and sometimes in the most organic situations. This is exactly what happened with my football jewelry necklace design. In 2015 one of my best friends was married the day after the University of Colorado vs. Colorado State University football game. If I’m going to be perfectly honest, for those who attend either school this game is a rivalry where both sides do a considerable amount of trash talking. Because the game was the same day as the rehearsal as the game, and because I was one of the few in the wedding […]
Handmade Bracelet Designs: 4 Tips for Jewelry Designers
I put a lot of emphasis on creating beautiful necklace designs, but as I was working my way through my inventory I realized that I have a lot of pretty bracelet designs I’ve made over the years. Sometimes when I’m waiting for my jewelry making inspiration to hit I can set the materials aside and quickly create a beautiful bracelet instead. Instead of always focusing on one template or rule, I’ve found that my handmade bracelet designs allow me to be more creative and flexible. Here are 4 different “rules” I tend to live by when I design bracelets. Multi strands: […]
Blue for You Jewelry
Sometimes when I get into my studio a particular color speaks to me. This has been the case over the last month.My favorite colors remain to this day to be blue and black. They often make their way into my jewelry designs paired with silver, my favorite metal. I recently re-found some stunningly blue Swarovski crystals. When I was in the studio several components that have been waiting on my bench for the right inspiration fit perfectly with these beautiful crystals. Instead of fighting it, sometimes I trust my eye and hope that the right person will appreciate the color […]
The Bracelet Beer Built: Handmade Jewelry Ideas For Mistakes
I learned my metalsmithing techniques when I was in high school. When I was signing up for electives my mother noticed jewelry making and stated that I’d definitely enjoy this class since I already made jewelry. She wasn’t wrong; I was very skilled with stringing beads and basic wire working techniques (think creating loops). But what we didn’t know at the time was that this would be nothing like what I knew. Over the four years I was in jewelry I learned so many different skills related to the craft. But one of the most valuable lessons my high school […]
Resin Jewelry Making Tips: Four Mistakes to Avoid When Working With Resin
A few weeks ago I had the honor of making custom bracelets for a few different friends to give as Mother’s Day gifts. Gift orders are something I really treasure making because they’re so personal and meaningful. When I get these orders, I take a lot of pride in my work and consider the whole task to be a responsibility; I want to make sure that I’m delivering something that not only the recipient will love, but also something the person giving the gift will love and take pride in. All the gifts I made were resin photo jewelry bracelets. […]
Different Inspirations: Jewelry Pendant Project
different inspiration. Jewelry making is so influenced by what I see in the world around me. Whether it’s what someone is wearing or what I see in the stores I often find myself wanting to replicate what I’ve seen when I sit down at my bench. Often in my jewelry designs, I try to do more. I add beads, a pendant, leather, and silver into a design that is beautiful and complex. Sometimes I need to remind myself that less is more when I design jewelry. I have so many different components in my studio that it’s impossible to see […]
Resin Photo Jewelry for Mother’s Day and Beyond
I love making resin photo jewelry because it is always so meaningful to both the person I work with and the person who receives the final jewelry design. If you are anything like me, finding something special for your mother is hard to do. Over the years it gets difficult to find something that is meaningful. This year, why not make a photo collage bracelet for your mom. I love working with resin because it gives me the ability to create something completely unique. Because the medium starts as a liquid, it means that you can incorporate any mixed media […]
Ways to Add Color to Your Jewelry Just in Time for Spring
My creativity tends to bloom in the spring. I think this is partially due to the warming temperatures (when your studio is in the garage, warmer weather is easier to work in) and by giving myself a rest I’m able to look at components in a new light. Many half-made designs have sat over winter and then been quickly pieced together in the spring. I have also found that I’m much more likely to incorporate color in the spring. Sometimes it can be hard to add color to your jewelry designs, but there is something about seeing blooming flowers that inspires […]