Crazy Busy With New 2010 Collections
Do you ever find yourself so busy that you’re not sure that you even blink? That would be me over the past few months. But, it’s all for a good cause. At least, it is if you love what you do for a living… and I certainly do.
I’ve been working on designs for two new green couture jewelry collections that mix elegance and drama with a touch of fantasy. They’re mythical, ethereal and enticing designs that tell a story. And, they’re sure to turn heads! Both of the new 2010 collections feature mixed media designs with fine and sterling silver, bronze, copper, hand carved gemstones, glass and enamel, polymer clay, as well as natural and found materials.
New designs are also coming for two of my existing collections launched in 2009, Earthly Desires, a collection featuring earth-inspired designs, and Ethereal Sands, my bridal collection.
Studio design, business & the process of designing
Today, I have been busy with the business side of jewelry business. I’m not a huge fan of inventory control or pricing, but without doing it (and doing it right), I’d never get paid for my work. In the office, I’m updating my inventory and planning my show schedule through spring 2010. I also have a couple of web design projects that need to be done in my spare time.
Despite the business end of things occupying a chunk of my time right now, my main goal at the moment is on designing an efficient green studio here at home, as this is now where I primarily do my design work. That is going to have much of my attention over the next couple of weeks and will require a good bit of work. But, being able to work in an efficient manner and keep my work streamlined will be a great time saver and much more pleasant in the long run. It’s well worth the time and effort invested initially.
Tomorrow, I pick up my jewelry kiln and some supplies, which will expand my capabilities here in the studio, as well. I look forward to incorporating art clay and enameling into my current and upcoming collections. A greater push toward hand carved gemstones, handmade beads and cabs is also in the works.
Speaking of collections, my ongoing focus is on designing more pieces for my current green couture jewelry collections, as well as flushing out the concept for an exciting new collection for spring/summer 2010. I work through my designs in a collection with a mixture of both traditional and digital media. I typically spend a few weeks at a time working on a thumbnail sketches, concept sketches, technical details, comp drawings and illustrations to flush out all of the key details in a set of designs before I begin hand crafting them in the studio. On the fly design may work for more simple pieces, but a complicated design should always be built on a well-though-out, solid design to avoid unnecessary complications and design flaws. I’m much more efficient in the studio when I have all of the key details for a complex piece already worked out.
Comp drawings or illustrations are also a must when presenting a selection of design ideas to a client for commissioned work, as well. There are times when I think a good 3D illustration may be more effective in client presentation, however (ring designs, for example). On my training agenda (a good designer is always honing his or her skills and learning new techniques) is 3D jewelry design in Rhino + Flamingo. I imagine that I’ll invest a good deal of time into learning the software, although my hope is that already have some working knowledge of AutoCAD will get me up to speed more quickly.
I work in cycles when it comes to my own collections, although everything can get moved back when new custom design work comes in. That is always my first priority as a designer. I always put custom design orders for a client ahead of my own collections. IMO, that is the only way to do business.
Radical Jewelry Makeover workshop wanted in central Florida!
I would absolutely love to see Ethical Metalsmiths bring its Radical Jewelry Makeover workshop program to central Florida. Sustainable jewelry design training opportunities are always a big plus in my book. And, it’s a cause for I would not mind donating some of my time and energy.
Radical Jewelry Makeover is an innovative workshop program that encourages the public to donate unwanted jewelry for recycling into redesigned jewelry items by a team of volunteer jewelers and metalsmiths. These volunteer artisans pick up new skills in sustainable jewelry design by transforming donated items into cutting-edge, wearable works of art. In return for their contributions, those that donate unwanted jewelry for use in the workshops are given a discount on a “new” piece of jewelry. Proceeds from sales at the end of the workshop support Ethical Metalsmiths.
Ethical Metalsmiths is a nonprofit organization that aims to connect artisans with responsibly sourced metals and gemstones. It’s a very worthwhile goal, and one I fully support.
