Jewelry Software

Making wire jewelry is a popular and rewarding hobby for many people. It can however be confusing to beginners who are just starting out. This article will introduce you to the various tools and materials you will need to get your jewelry making hobby started.

SETTING UP YOUR JEWELRY WORKSHOP

Whether you are making your own wire wrap jewelry as a hobby or you are starting your own business making wire jewelry, you will need to have an area that will promote creativity and enable you to concentrate. Spend some time planning and organizing your jewelry making workshop now so that you will be more productive when you get started.

Many of us do not have the luxury of a private workshop where we can escape from the noise and interruptions of our busy homes. This doesn’t mean you should lose hope and give up on your wire jewelry making dreams, it just means you will need to be a bit more creative with your space.

Try to find a place that is as private as possible, away from phones, televisions and other interruptions. Perhaps you can clear a space out in your garage or attic. Maybe you have a corner of a guest room or a spot in your basement.

Next you will want to consider lighting. Lighting is very important in jewelry making. Find a room near a window with lots of natural light if you can, but if you cannot find such a location, you will need to invest in a natural lighting alternative. There are special types of lighting and bulbs available that simulate natural sun light. Just do a search online and you will most certainly find something. Full spectrum bulbs are close to natural sunlight.

You will also need a way to organize and store all of your jewelry making tools and supplies as well as a surface or bench to work on. Professional jewelry benches can be expensive, so if you cannot afford one, visit a used furniture outlet, flea market, or good will outlet and purchase a bench there. Look for a sturdy solid wood desk that is wide and deep enough to give you plenty of space to work on. If it doesn’t have drawers, you can purchase an affordable organizer with drawers at any home improvement store. This can be used to store your supplies.

You will also need a chair. You should take your time when shopping for a chair as you will spend a lot of time sitting at your desk. You will want a chair that is comfortable and has wheels so you can conveniently slide around your workspace.

If you are unable to invest any money right now into buying your furniture, don’t let that stop you. Your kitchen table will work as a descent substitute. Many beginners get started that way.

WIRE JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES

Pliers

There are a wide assortment of pliers and cutters available for wire jewelry artists and each tool has its own purpose. Most professional and experienced wire jewelry artists will normally have a big collection of these tools on hand, but for a beginner it is not necessary. You will only need a few to get started. Pliers are made with various nose shapes and some are made fitted with springs. Springs enable the artist to control tension on the wire. Pliers are also available with nylon jaws that prevent scratching on the wire.

Flat Nose Pliers

These are excellent for holding, flattening and straightening wire. You can also use these pliers to make angular bends.

Round Nose Pliers

Round nose pliers are great for making bends, curves and for forming loops. They are also great for detailed and delicate work.

Flush Wire Cutter

A good flush wire cutter will cut through gold, silver, brass or copper wire and give you a flush even cut.

WIRE

Wire comes in a variety of different sizes, otherwise known as gages. Smaller wire has a higher gage number. For instance a 28 gage wire has a smaller diameter then a 14 gage wire. For your first wire jewelry pieces, it is probably best to begin with a higher gage wire, which will be easier to work with. Once you become more skilled at this, you can then start working with thicker and stronger wires.

Wire also comes in a variety of different shapes: round, square and half round. Round wire is a more popular choice amongst wire jewelry makers, but the other shapes can give your jewelry pieces a unique and interesting look.

Wire also comes in different degrees of hardness. Obviously softer metals are more pliable and easier to bend where as hard metals are stiffer and more difficult to bend and shape. Wire hardness is available from dead soft to extra hard. Dead soft wire is very soft and easy to work with. It is excellent for sculpting , but be careful with this wire. It is very soft and it can be easily damaged if not handled carefully. Hard wire is the most difficult to work with and manipulate, but it does have an advantage over the others as your jewelry pieces will be more durable and last longer.

Wire is also available in a variety of different metals. You have your choice of copper, silver, gold or brass. Copper and brass are cheaper than gold and silver. It may be best to start out with the cheaper materials until you become more experienced.

CREATING YOUR FIRST PIECE OF WIRE JEWELRY

Once you have found a good work area and have your basic supplies, its time to start practicing and creating your first piece of jewelry. In the beginning it will certainly be challenging to come up with your own designs, but thankfully there are many accomplished wire wrap jewelry makers out there to help you along the way. Go online or to your favorite book store and purchase a beginner book on wire jewelry making or invest in a home study course. There are great courses online that come complete with all the tools and instruction you will need to get started. You can even start your own lucrative home based business making wire jewelry.

I hope this introduction to wire jewelry making has helped and has gotten you excited enough to explore this craft in more detail. Happy jewelry making!

Gioiellando has been a leader in fine Italian jewelry for the past 15 years. Not only do they offer unique Italian designs, they also give their clients the opportunity to create their own design. If you are in the market for high fashion diamond jewelry, as well as high carat gold jewelry, then look no further than Gioiellando’s. They offer a wide range of products that are sure to fit into anyone’s personal jewel collection. Because they take great care in the precision of their design and creation, you can rest assured that the jewelry you order will be the jewelry you receive.

When people order Italian jewelry, they do so because they want the best and will settle for nothing less. When you order from Gioiellando’s, you too are saying you will settle for nothing less. Their Italian design is so chic that your friend’s will envy your design. It will be like nothing else on the market, which is a good thing when it comes to jewelry. Why wear something that is not one of a kind? Instead, you will be making a statement about yourself that you know high fashion and design when you see it.

Not only does Gioiellando’s fine Italian jewelry represent the classic Italian look, they also offer creative pendants that will look good draped around anyone’s neck. From their diamond animals and zodiac creatures to their more whimsical heart designs, their pendants truly are a one of a kind look. To further represent their confidence that you will love their jewels, Gioiellando’s even offers returns on their products. You no longer have to worry about being stuck with a piece of jewelry that does not fit your style like at other jewelry stores. You can shop with confidence here.

Although Gioiellando’s has been in the jewelry business for the past 15 years, they did not hold themselves to the Italian jewelry market. Currently, they are located in four continents, with a production plant in Hong Kong. Because of this expansion, they know the Italian design as well as the world design. They are able to meet your wants and needs when it comes to your jewelry because they have been everywhere. To view their entire collection, visit their Web site at http://www.gioiellando.com. There you will find all your jewelry needs. With their huge collection in fine Italian jewelry, you will find no reason to shop anywhere else.

Plan!

First, it is important to have a good plan. A formal business plan isn’t necessary unless you aim to get a loan or investors, but the plan should be thorough, especially in the financial section. The bottom line for most of us is: can I make a profit doing this? How long will it take to turn a profit? And, is this worth my time? Below I have outlined a few key factors to think about while devising your plan. I want to be clear that this is just a guideline, not a “how to” since everyone’s circumstances is different – what may work for one person may not work for another.

1. Why do you want to do this?

Is this something that you want to do for strictly for the money? For the thrill of starting something from scratch? Because you need to make extra money to pay your bills? Etc. The answer to this question will create the context you need to think through your plan. For example, if you want to start a jewelry business because you absolutely have to have extra money to survive – that consideration will limit your choices greatly because you will need to make decisions that lead you to a quick profit.

2. Market & Products

What do you plan on selling and why? Think about whether the jewelry or other products you intend to sell are right for your intended market. Diamond jewelry is probably not the right product for a flea market! Some good ‘off-line’ venues that I have used include:

Craft fairs and outdoor festivals – generally in the summer time. You can usually get a table at these events for $20 $50 for the day. You will want to have a good selection of inventory; if you do you can usually gross anywhere between $150-$400 (based on my experience). Your sales will be directly related to your quantity of inventory.

Winter bazaars, church sales, holiday festivals—Oct-December. Check the local paper. Many churches have these annual events and tables are pretty inexpensive. These events are nice because people come to spend $ on gifts.

Home-based jewelry parties. You can host an event yourself, or have a friend host it and give her some free stuff as compensation. I like to have a good friend or relative host – that way I am pretty sure they will follow through. Ask your friend to invite her friends, relatives, etc. for the party. You provide some light snacks and bring all your stuff. Again, people come to buy and you have no competition! If you get people to one of these you will make out pretty well, and you don’t need to have as large a selection. I have made up to $1500 in an hour and half! Typically, I’d gross $300-$500 in a pretty short time.

Flea markets—usually in summer and holiday season. These can be boom or bust. It depends on whether, traffic, etc. Generally people at these want to spend very little, so the low-end stuff sells best. Good place to experiment since the tables are usually only $20 or so. I know people that go to the same flea markets every week and do very well with lots of repeat customers.

Store/ mall-cart. This is a much bigger leap since the overhead is so high compared to the above venues. I have done neither so cannot offer any good advice in except to plan really well and consider all the costs involved.

3. Where will you get your inventory?

This is the place you will need the best research. Unless you are selling in large volume, you will probably want to get a markup of about 3 times (what you paid for inventory). The lower the price you pay for your goods, the lower the price you can offer your customers/ the more profit you will make. You will always save more when you buy in bulk, so look for a supplier you can form a long-term relationship with who can give you good deals, service and selection. Buying a large quantity now may seem like a big expense now, but the result is you make more profit on every single item you sell.

The more you spend the more you save. Find a few good suppliers and see what sells well and who is willing to work with you. Find suppliers who provide good service and are committed to your success.

Buy off ebay- many people buy stuff at good prices then just re-sell

Search the web for other silver jewelry wholesalers.

Search the web for manufacturers. Most are in Asia. And you will get the best deals this way – but you are going to have to spend $3000+ to get the best prices and give yourself 6 months to find the right vendors, get your inventory and develop a relationship. It seems simple, but trust me, the cultural differences alone will add 3 months to the process! Unless you need 20+ designs of each design you order, or actually want to get a mixed batch of random leftovers that you will not see in advance, this is not a great option for most small businesses.

4. Is an online business right for you?

I make a living through my website. My business is successful because I:

• Have an efficient system to manage business operations

• Provide excellent service

• Have several great, inexpensive sources for products – suppliers that I know well and trust 100%

• Purchase a high volume of jewelry each month (enabling lower margin on each item)

• Spent time researching/ testing products and marketing strategies and learning about ecommerce

As I said, everyone’s situation may be different, but this is what works for me. I started about 6+ years ago part time, and within about 6 months had a full time internet business. I never expected it to work out this way, but it’s still going strong. Now it is much easier to get started from the technical side—the major auction sites offer good services for beginners and there are products out there to manage your business. You can even start a fully-functional ecommerce website without knowing any html! It is the “systems” that are the key factor for me. I have a system for inventory, a system to communicate with customers and a system to manage the fulfillment and customer service process. Most of my systems are computerized but I always take the time to get to know my customers in person when I have the opportunity.

5. … Is an offline business right for you?

Many folks are intimated at first by the whole ecommerce thing. The truth is an off-line business can be just as successful. Unless you have a lot of capital you want to start off (and continue!) with low overhead. So, you don’t need to go out and buy a store front! You can start by buying a small amount of inventory and testing the waters.

Try selling to friends and co-workers

Host a jewelry party (or better – have a friend host it) and invite a lot of people. I once made $1500 in an hour an a half! Typically, I would make about $400 or so in a couple hours.

Rent a table at a craft show (summer fair or church bazaar around holiday time). Tables are usually only $20-$40 for the day.

Get a spot a flea market

Put stuff out at your or your friends garage sales. It really works!

My advice is until you really know your market and have a handle on your revenue stream, start small. This way you are not going to lose much, if any, money.

6. Business licenses, TaxID numbers, merchant accounts, etc.

Check with your state to see what is required to do business. My experience is that it is very simple. You can get a TaxID, which takes about 1 hour and you can do it by phone, and this enables you to buy inventory without paying sales tax. But keep in mind that most vendors will be out of your state and will probably not charge sales tax anyway. In this case most vendors may not even need a TaxID. In terms of taxes, you can file under your TaxID or your social security number. If using your social security number and keeping the business under your own name, I do not THINK you need a TaxID, as long as you claim all your income appropriately. If you plan to have a business checking account you will need a TaxID number.

As far as I know you do not need any special license to sell retail. But you should contact your state tax office to get all the paperwork you will need to remit sales tax to the state. You are required to collect sales tax on retail purchases (most internet companies only charge sales tax to customers that live in the same state as the business). And at the end of the year, you have to pay this tax to the state.

As your business grows, it’s a good idea to take credit cards, especially for online businesses. Nowadays this is pretty easy. I get about 20 offers a day via email to setup merchant accounts and accept credit cards online. Do a search on google.com and you will find hundreds of places to do this for you! The cost is about $25/ month + $200-$300 setup fee. Another option is to use only a PayPal account. The account is free to setup. Get a paypal account regardless of what you do because it’s essential!! I’d say 50% or more of online shoppers now, and 80% of ebay customers have paypal accounts.

• I am NOT an accountant! This information is just based on my experience and may not be accurate.

Africa has been making jewelry crafted by hand for a very long time in keep with their traditions and they use African beads which come in a wide variety of colors and shapes as well as textures. You can now make your jewelry yourself using inspiration from the African styles and the raw materials like trade beads that the African jewelers themselves make use of. You can make simple African jewelry like necklaces or pendants or something as complicated as the pieces that are normally used by Africans for their rituals in healing and their spiritual ceremonies. All you require is the African beads or trade beads, a clasp, some jewelry cord or wire, crimping pliers and crimping beads. If you look at pictures or piece of African jewelry you are sure to draw inspiration from these and be able to create your own designs. Tribal jewelry from Africa includes the bone necklaces from Kenya, the coconut disc necklaces from Nigeria, crosses from Ethiopia and the Mali wedding beads. Settle on a particular style. If you would rather make a necklace with a lone pendant, then search for a bead that has an attractive color or pattern. If you intend putting together several African beads, put them against a neutral background like the black velvet that most jewelers use to find out how they combination looks. A pendant can also be put together with smaller trade beads. Get hold of some good African beads. There are quite a few sites on the Internet that deal with trade beads and other African beads and jewelry supplies and these companies buy them directly from families who make them in Africa.  Some of the pieces might be very old or of limited versions and be sold at a very high price while the other trade beads are more affordable. Measure out the required length of beading thread that you will require. The length should be ideally the length that you want your necklace of trade beads to be plus an extra five inches. If you would like to use bigger African beads then you might like to replace the beading thread with cotton cord or leather. If you choose to use wire to thread them, put a crimp bead on one end along with one part of the clasp. Pass the wire through the crimp bead, make sure you tighten it and then flatten the bead with the help of the crimping pliers. The extra wire should be trimmed off.   Start stringing the beads. If you are looking to have a pattern that is symmetrical, start with the center and keep adding African beads on either side. Add the other part of the clasp or a jump ring if you are using a hook clasp. Draw the wire through the clasp and cut off the extra. And then wear you beautiful necklace of trade beads and watch the heads turn.

Firstly I want to explain one important thing about this article and that is, I am not an expert or computer technician nor am I versant in all the SEO techniques, Simply I am a Silver Jewelry Manufacturer who had to build a web site on a budget and really as a catalogue and show room for customers .Everything in this article has been tested by me and put into action, cheaply and effectively with budgets in mind. When I started this project my knowledge base was almost zero on the mechanics of web sites, so if you follow the steps and advice that I am about to give, you will end up with a truly workable Jewelry Web site at an economical price.

We are going to start off by selecting a company to build our site, here is the first tip to save money .Do not use a company that ties you into a monthly account for construction and ongoing maintenance, buy your web site outright. There are hundreds of Internet web designers on the Internet crying out for work, and if you can find an Asian internet design company you will save hundreds of dollars to start with, just like we did ,the company we used is called BaliOrange.net which were extremely cheap and professional.

Once you have found your company you will need to register a domain name, you will find lots of companies on the web were you can research a name, its best if the name has something to do with what your web site is about, for example if you sell shell jewelry, try and register a name with the word shell, seashell, coral, or the name of a shell in the title. Your web designer will also be able to help with this and id recommend you discuss were to host your site with your web designer as well.

Next you need to make a list of what features you want on your Jewelry web site ,my recommendations are as follow, no 1 the web site should be a data base driven web site.No2 it should have a system for being able to update prices in individual categories by percentage base. No 3 if you sell rings, you will need a drop down menu next to each ring were people can select there ring size.No4 you will need a good graphics system for uploading photos. Tip check out other web sites, when you find one you like forward the URL to your designer, he can take the graphic size details from that source.

Research the Internet for Tips on SEO optimization, every thing you need to know is already available and free. When you understand what you want for your on page optimization just forward the wording to your designer to include on your site. You will need to research Title Tags, Meta Tags and Description, spend some time reading about the different SEO practices before you start your web site and compile all the information for your Web Designer, it will save you a lot of money in the end.

Now I have kept the best till last, you must have a Link Directory if you want your web site to be successful, and you must build it properly or else the whole web site is doomed to sit at the back of goggles listings forever, and you will have wasted every dollar you have spent on making your jewelry site.

If your web site is popular it’s going to be because your directory is popular, and Webmasters that are intelligent really have six key concerns when approving a link to your web site, and they are as follows, is the link directory reachable from your home page, and is your link button clearly visible. Is your directory well organized? Tightly themed and with categories’. Does your web site have good content .If you cant answerer yes to all of these questions, you will find that your link requests will be ignored from other Web masters, and your site will be dead.

There are some very good programs around for link directories, just like the one we use and a one time payment for such a program will guarantee your web sites popularity.

A couple of words of advice, when you assess a website for a link partner don’t use the goggle page rank indicator as your judgment on a sites worthiness as a link partner, PR0 today can be a PR5 tomorrow and you going to look pretty stupid for not linking with that site when you had the chance, remember once your site is indexed by search engines you will start with a PR0,and you will work hard to obtain a page rank so don’t waste your time with a substandard link directory, get it right now and you will be successful.

A little known fact is that Sterling Silver Jewelry pieces that are not worn for extended periods of time can corrode and tarnish as well. Thus, silver jewelry storage is a critical component for preventing corrosion and tarnish. By following a few simple rules, you can save yourself hours of cleaning and keep your sterling silver jewelry bright and beautiful for years.

Understanding Why Sterling Silver Jewelry Tarnishes

The tarnish on sterling silver jewelry is the result of oxidative reactions with sulfur, such as Hydrogen Sulfide, in the air and environment (the nickel or copper alloy in most sterling silver also undergoes its own oxidative reactions). The corrosion of silver combined with sulfur creates the darkening referred to as tarnish. Therefore, you must insure your jewelry is clean and dry before storage; since any moisture, dirt, oils or other residual chemicals will accelerate the tarnishing.

Containers for Silver Storage

A container that locks out air is preferable, since reducing contact with air will slow corrosion. The most common household items with this function are zip lock bags, or any other air tight bag with non-abrasive surfaces, such as those made of polyethylene or Mylar. Avoid polyvinyl plastic bags however, as they have chemical compounds that promote tarnishing. If youâ??re willing to spend extra, jewelry stores carry specialized bags and boxes that help prevent tarnishing. When storing, itâ??s best to keep jewelry in separate bags, away from other hard items that may scratch your jewelryâ??s surface.

Places to Store Sterling Silver Jewelry

Avoid excessively humid areas, areas with direct sunlight, and other places where jewelry could rub up against other items. Do not store jewelry directly on chemically treated surfaces, such as wooden counter tops, since they contain chemicals that may promote tarnishing of your sterling silver.

Other Tools that Help Prevent Tarnish on Sterling Silver Jewelry

1) Chalk – An old remedy for preventing tarnish, just store chalk in your jewelry box or container and it will naturally absorb chemical residues in the air.

2) Anti-Tarnish Strips â?? Sold in many places, these strips are usually made from non-toxic materials that absorb tarnish causing agents in the air.

3) Anti-Tarnish cloths â?? Similar to the strips, these cloths are either chemically treated or saturated with traces of silver; both absorb sulfur and other corrosive chemicals in the air.

4) Silica Packs â?? Those little packs you find in medicine bottles and shoe boxes among other places. Highly useful in absorbing moisture in the air, toss them in your jewelry containers instead of the trash; youâ??ll be preventing tarnish and recycling as well.

Learn more about Sterling Silver Jewelry by visiting the import and wholesale jewelry knowledge center of Wholesale of Asia at http://wholesaleofasia.com/, where you’ll find a diverse and unique selection of Wholesale Jewelry such as Sterling Silver, Precious Stone, Pearl, Jade, and much more, all at a low cost and imported directly from manufacturers worldwide. By working with manufacturers and retailers to produce fresh and trendy new designs, Wholesale of Asia helps businesses get an edge over competition and increase their bottom lines.

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