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Jewelry Making Design Tips

By on April 20, 2009
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Observe Nature

Having a hard time coming up with original, creative ideas?  Observe nature.  Nature has been a source for jewelry design for thousands of years—Egyptian, Medieval, and Baroque, Art Nouveau and more!  Inspiration for shape, color, line, and texture can inevitably transpire for your next jewelry piece when studying nature.   You could find a color scheme from a breathtaking sunset, or perhaps a shape outline from the thorns of your rosebush.  Trees, birds, animals, insects, the ocean, mountains, the stars, moon, and sun!   The possibilities are endless.  Jewelry design is truly an art form—think of it as such.

Nouveau Flourite While in Italy I was deeply inspired by magnificent art nouveau buildings from the early 1900’s. There were many botanical patterns, which led me to design this art nouveau flower pendant. Nouveau Flourite is a play on words, combining the art style and the gemstone, and sounding like “nouveau fleur” which means “new flower” in French

Nouveau Flourite
Created by Rhonda Chase: “While in Italy I was deeply inspired by magnificent art nouveau buildings from the early 1900’s. There were many botanical patterns, which led me to design this art nouveau flower pendant. Nouveau Flourite is a play on words, combining the art style and the gemstone, and sounding like “nouveau fleur” which means “new flower” in French”

Don’t be afraid to experiment

You don’t have to follow any rule!  Just because a certain pattern says to do something a certain way, doesn’t mean you have to!  Play around, have fun!  You just might surprise yourself with what you come up with.  There are no limits in design and jewelry making.  Experiment with new tools , new beads , and new ideas.  Do not be afraid of failure.   Do not become your worst critic.  Imagine, take pleasure in your creativity, and try to reach beyond your perceived potential.

Handmade Venetian Glass Beads
Handmade Venetian Glass Beads
Shop by Gemstone
Shop by Gemstone

 

Study History

Study history???  What does that have to do with jewelry design?  A lot.  Fashion has proven old trends to be stylish.  Furthermore, many well-known jewelry designers take inspiration from historical jewelry pieces.  It may also be beneficial to study historic and religious symbols, such as the Celtic knot, the Egyptian Cartouche and Ankh, the Christian cross, the Irish Claddagh, the Star of David, the European torc, the Hamsa or Hamesh hand, Chinese dragons and phoenixes, and much more!  Also as you study the history of jewelry, you will find how the trends and fashion reflected a country’s social, cultural, economical, and political standing.

Lapis Lazuli Wig

Fine example of ancient Egyptian use of lapis. (J. Bodsworth)

2 Comments

  1. avatar

    Heraclio Silva

    April 21, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    I appreciate your tips. I agree completely. Very Inspiring, indeed.
    Here in Brazil we have beautiful colored gems, but on the other hand, no wires to sell on market. All wires we need in silver or gold, we have to make them since the blending to get the right karat to the stretching of the wire from the ingot. It is a tough job.
    On your website, a get amazed about the variety of wires you offer. Not only in various shapes and gauges, but also in different tempering.
    Our industry is some steps behind in this sense.
    Congratulations!

  2. avatar

    Zena Herbert

    April 22, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Sometimes new ideas come from noticing an incongruous juxtaposition of bits on your workbench! Or from watching what is actually happening when a piece of work ‘goes wrong’. I find these wild shoots give better fruit than being ‘inspired by’ someone else’s designs, and they are your own original work.