Daily Wire Tip March 22: How Many Rings Should I Make For a Show?

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 22, 2010

Question:

I saw your answer to the question, “When making rings in preparation for a show, what size, or sizes, do you typically make?”  I was wondering, when making rings for a show, how many rings of each exact design do you make? For instance, when you say you make cocktail rings from size 5 through 10, do you make sizes 5-10 of each design or just set out an assortment of rings in various sizes?  Thank you so much!

Answer:

In my opinion there are two main choices, regarding making rings for shows.

1.  A wire artist can specialize in creating one or several ‘lines’ (meaning the same ring design in a variety of sizes, created using the exact same materials, in either the same or different colors) such as the Crystal Wave ring made in silver with blue crystals, where stock may include one or two in each size. This line would also include the same ring design, also in silver but with green, pink, red, etc crystals, a minimum of one in each size, all of which are displayed in the same case. Another ‘line’, in a separate case, could be a design such as the Pharaoh’s ring; created in silver or gold with a black onyx stone, one in each size, OR use a variety of cabochons and have a few loose ones sprinkled about, advertising that you take ‘custom orders’ for that ring design. Creating a specialized ‘line’ of jewelry is great for the artist who enjoys and is really proficient with a specific design execution, and finds that it sells well for them (which can also assist in helping to establish their reputation).

2.  A wire artist can make whatever ring designs they choose, in a variety of colors and styles (and yes, each ring can be different from the next) covering the range of sizes they feel necessary (as discussed previously: https://wire-sculpture.com/jewelry-making-blog/1317/making-rings-for-a-show/). This ‘group of same items’ would be called a ‘collection’. I prefer to have a ‘collection’, which I case by price. For example, all of the rings priced from $12 to $20 are in one box (usually simple, triple bead and adjustable friendship rings) whereas cabochon, wave and cocktail rings are in a different box (priced $40 to $175) and all of my cut stone/prong rings are in their own locked display (priced $145 to $700+). And no, in my ring ‘collection’, with the exception of the wave and cab rings, I do not have every style in every size. (But I do take a LOT of orders!)

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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4 Comments

1. 

   Mary F.

   March 22, 2010 at 12:24 pm

   Excellent recommendation! Thank you, Dale.
2. 

   mike

   March 22, 2010 at 2:07 pm

   hi cougar armstrong

   thank you about everything you are teaching people. i am thinking
   you are better than everybody else.

   mjr
3. 

   Kari

   March 22, 2010 at 5:31 pm

   Where can I find out how to make the different styles you mentioned above? I have just started making rings and people are gobbling them up, but I’d like to be able to offer more than just the 2 styles I currently make.
   • 

     dalecgr

     March 23, 2010 at 2:23 am

     Hi Kari,
     Congratulations! Rings always sell well, especially if you can make them to size. All of the ring designs I mentioned and many more, can be found in my Rings DVD series, and can be purchased either by the entire set (which includes bonus projects) or individually. I do recommend that the series be studied in order, as I teach progressively, one project into the next. (For example, if a beginner were to purchase and try the prong ring first, they may become frustrated, as they have not worked themselves up to the required skill levels by starting with easier projects first.) You can find more details regarding the ring series here: http://www.wire-sculpture.com/jewelry-making-dvds-1.html