Technical aspects of jewelry design

While I primarily focus on making jewelry from sterling silver wire, I enjoy making strung jewelry as well. I had the privilege of taking a jewelry design class from award-winning jewelry designer Kate McKinnon a few years ago and was pleased to have learned some fundamental lessons in creating jewelry from a more technical standpoint.

First of all, it is important to note that the quality of tools that you use in making jewelry really does make a world of difference. The cheapo $8 pliers that you get from the craft chain stores really are not adequate, and can cause pain to your hands and wrists. When teaching wire classes, students who compared their cheap tools with my Lindstrom brand tools were amazed at the difference.

One noticable difference is in the grip of the tool. The cheap pliers just don't grip wire as well as the Lindstrom or Softflex brand tools, no matter how hard you squeeze. And of course, the harder you squeeze, the more likely you are to experience hand pain.

Second, make sure the string that you use is of good quality. The cheap "tiger tail" stringing wire is not at all flexible, and likely to become brittle. Try the better quality "49-strand" stringing wire (Softflex stringing wire is my favorite).

And finally, the beads you use should be of excellent quality. Remember, if you want to command high-end prices, you really need to use beads that are of great quality. That means that chinese lampwork and crystal knock-offs are a no-no, unless you prefer to sell your jewelry at bargain-basement prices. Seek out "self-representing" artists (That means they are not in a factory mass-producing beads. Rather, they are making one-of-a-kind pieces of glass art).

When you focus on quality in your jewelry designs and supplies, you will be attracting a customer base that is willing to pay for great quality and innovative design. By sticking with low-quality supplies, you are not only limiting yourself to customers who don't necessarily have extra disposable income, but you are attaching your name - which is your brand - to lower quality jewelry. Improving the quality of the product is an important part of what separates the artist from the mass-producer.