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 plans on hold.
An unexpected move has put my green jewelry studio design plans on hold. While I can’t say I’m overly thrilled about the delays, there is a bright side to everything. I now have a bit more time to work on my business and marketing plans, to research my equipment options, to save for needed equipment, tools and materials, as well as to decide exactly what I want to incorporate into the overall design.
On the downside of all of this, I cannot determine the exact design (layout & setup) until I have a new space in which to build the studio. I tend to believe that things usually happen for a reason, although sudden surprises can certainly throw a wrench into your plans! I’m going to roll with it and turn this curve ball into a positive.
3D Jewelry Design Considerations
Just watched a 3D jewelry design video on Matrix 6. Wow. This has to be one of the best looking 3D rendering engines I’ve seen. Impressive. Equally impressive are some of the mockups I’ve seen come out of RhinoGold v2. Both programs are built on Rhino’s impressive 3D rendering engine.
The migration from 2D illustration into 3D CAD/CAM jewelry design (technical rendering) is certainly a bit daunting, even with some AutoCAD training under my belt. But, wow! I’ve seen 3D designs in the past few days that look very much like finished photographs. I found it hard to tell the difference with a few of them. The ability to present these kinds of high-quality 3D comps to a high-end client for a custom commission certainly has merit. Now, about that learning curve…
Now you can find me on the Fashion Industry Network website. I’ve joined a group for designers and another for stylists so far. I’m still checking the site out. If you’re a FIN member, feel free to add me. I love social networking. ;)
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.
Acailawen Designs Website Portfolio Update
I updated two of the jewelry portfolio galleries on my website today - Necklaces and Jewelry Sets to include some of my latest designs.
![Acailawen Designs
www.acailawendesigns.com
Shown: Earthly Desires Necklace Set; Title design of the Earthly Desires Collection
Photography: Christopher Wright
Hair, Makeup & Set Styling: Andrea Acailawen
Model: Kristin
Green Couture Jewelry & Accessories by Andrea Acailawen[click image to view at full size]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kofyi9TRYo1qzl0fjo1_500.jpg)
Acailawen Designs
www.acailawendesigns.com
Shown: Earthly Desires Necklace Set; Title design of the Earthly Desires Collection
Photography: Christopher Wright
Hair, Makeup & Set Styling: Andrea Acailawen
Model: Kristin
Green Couture Jewelry & Accessories by Andrea Acailawen
[click image to view at full size]
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.
![Acailawen Designs
www.acailawendesigns.com
Shown: Winter Sands Necklace Set, from the Ethereal Sands Bridal Collection
Photography: Christopher Wright
Hair, Makeup & Set Styling: Andrea Acailawen
Model: Kristin
Green Couture Jewelry & Accessories by Andrea Acailawen[click image to view at full size]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kodpd95CsT1qzl0fjo1_500.jpg)
Acailawen Designs
www.acailawendesigns.com
Shown: Winter Sands Necklace Set, from the Ethereal Sands Bridal Collection
Photography: Christopher Wright
Hair, Makeup & Set Styling: Andrea Acailawen
Model: Kristin
Green Couture Jewelry & Accessories by Andrea Acailawen
[click image to view at full size]
The back end of creative business
Good morning all. I started my day with coffee and spam, how about you? ;)
I was planning to get some bookkeeping and inventory work done today, but it seems that I keep getting tied up with other things. I love creative work, but that is only one part of being a designer. Today is mostly an ‘office’ day. I can’t say that’s my preferred way to spend my time, but it is crucial to earning a living. The joys of being an independent designer!
Being a green couture jewelry designer involves so much more than just design work. I’ll be glad to get my inventory up to date (i.e. done). I enjoy designing one-of-a-kind original jewelry & accessories AND crafting them with my own hands. There’s a piece of me in each design. I just don’t see ever giving that up. To me, it makes each original design something uniquely special. Inspiration. It’s why I love my work.
Planning Fashion & Trunk Shows in Florida
While I’m already involved with several Central Florida fashion shows and am expanding to south Florida in that regard, I need to expand my show options. I’m going to get back to researching smaller art galleries, upscale boutiques & other artisan-friendly venues throughout the state to hold trunk shows featuring my original, handcrafted green couture jewelry and accessories designs.
It’s time to start planning out my show schedule for now up until spring 2010, so that I can get more of my original designs out there. But, with the economy still on rather shaky ground, I don’t see the value in planning out shows a full year in advance. Since I don’t do the art/craft fair circuit, it’s not too much of an issue.
Technical Design for Mass Production vs. Handcrafted Originals
I saw an ad for a technical jewelry designer in NY posted a few days ago & thought it could be great opportunity, but I love crafting my own pieces. I could not design for a mass-produced label if I wasn’t still doing my own original designs, as well; especially custom design work. I don’t know how others do it. I got started doing custom design work for artistic, commercial and editorial print photography, as I’m also a photo stylist. It is something that I still regularly do. I don’t see myself ever giving that up. I’d rather do custom designs, being commissioned to create a one-of-a-kind wearable piece of art for my customer than cranking out designs to be produced by the thousands. I’m not saying that I would never consider doing designs for a mass-produced label in addition to my own original work. But, I could never do it if I was not still able to create my unique, green couture designs that I craft with my own hands. To me, that’s what being a designer/artisan is all about.
![Acailawen Designs
www.acailawendesigns.com
Shown: Woodland Symphony Necklace Set, from the Earthly Desires Collection
Photography: Christopher Wright
Hair, Makeup & Set Styling: Andrea Acailawen
Model: Kristin
Green Couture Jewelry & Accessories by Andrea Acailawen[click image to view at full size]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kodp6yG6Aa1qzl0fjo1_500.jpg)
