How to Design Your Own Jewelry

Design Your Own Jewelry!

Anyone can learn to assemble components (beads, wire, clasps, etc.) to create jewelry, but learning how to design your own jewelry is when a jewelry maker becomes a jewelry designer.

Most of us start out making jewelry by following instructions, which is a safe place to begin and to learn new jewelry making and beading techniques. The next step is to learn the art of beaded jewelry designs.

It is now time to explore the world of jewelry designing so you no longer have to copy designs but instead create your own handcrafted designer jewelry.

Jewelry Design as a visual language: Beads and components is the vocabulary and design principles are the rules of grammar. Once you have a firm grasp on these fundamentals, using them becomes second nature, just like writing and speaking.

Learning design theory including the elements and principles of design can be more challenging than learning how to crimp a bead or attach a clasp. You need to understand the materials you use and how they work on the wearer, color, texture, balance, and the creative process before you can successfully design your own jewelry.

Understanding color and design fundamentals will give you the language to analyze what happens when you create and design your own jewelry. It helps to know what to change to make your work satisfying and complete. What to add so your piece is not boring or what to take away if your design is too busy.

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The following articles will help you get started in designing your own original and unique pieces of handcrafted jewelry.

Making Jewelry Design Forum
This is the place to ask questions and share ideas or thoughts on both the technical and creative aspects of jewelry design. In this forum we'll also discuss and share different ideas for finding inspiration, new jewelry making tips and techniques, creating your distinct style, how to make jewelry that sells, and what to do if your jewelry isn't selling.

Why Is Composition and Design So Important When Making Jewelry?
Discover why having some knowledge about composition and design will give you a better understanding of why people are either attracted or not attracted to a piece of jewelry.

Elements of Design
By understanding and using the elements of basic composition, you'll be able to design more powerful jewelry pieces.

Line
Shape
Space
Texture
Color

Principles of Design
These principles suggest effective, pleasing and interesting ways to arrange beads and components in a piece.

Balance
Emphasis
Rhythm
Movement
Harmony
Contrast
Variety

Does Structure Stifle Creativity?
Nita Leland discusses how structure and placing emphasis on formal design does not stifle creativity but give you more freedom for your creative impulses.

Design Strategies: Thinking Ahead
Nita Leland discusses why the design of your jewelry is every bit as important as your skill or technique.

Beaded Jewelry Designs: The Importance of Quality
Discover Why The Importance of Quality should be the basis of your reputation.

Your Jewelry Designs Must Have Customer Appeal
Discover why your design has to catch the buyer's attention and appeal to him or her before they would be interested in purchasing it.

The Dawn of Jewelry
Suzanne Macquire discusses how jewelry started along with the first materials used to make jewelry.

Caring for Your Handcrafted Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry
Tips on how to care for your handmade gemstone jewelry.

Lead Poisoning From Jewelry - How to Avoid It
Elena Zharina discusses how to avoid lead poisoning in jewelry.

The Following Articles COMING SOON!

Jewelry Design Fundamentals

Creativity and the Design Process

Using a Bead Design Board

Design Software

Cool Components

Common Jewelry Lengths

How Many Beads?

Beading Glossary

The Feel (elegant, simple, busy, fun, chunky, hip)

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