Aluminum Anticlastic Bangle with Blue Quartz Gemstone

April 12, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Aluminum Anticlastic Bangle with Blue Quartz Gemstone

Anticlastic Aluminum Cuff with Faceted Blue Quartz Gemstone by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

This Aluminum Anticlastic Bangle with Blue Quartz Gemstone was made from 16 gauge aluminum sheet metal and anticlastically raised on a sinusoidal steel stake with a nylon hammer. The aluminum was annealed several times to aid in shaping, then filed, and finally buffed to a matte finish before attaching the focal bead. The Blue Quartz gemstone was fastened to the cuff by threading 14K gold-filled wire through the bead and wire wrapping it securely to each side of the raised cuff. This anticlastic bangle, along with many more new contemporary jewelry designs, can be found in my SoMa Jewelry Collection.

Contemporary Handmade Bronze Ring with Amber

April 12, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Contemporary Handmade Bronze Ring with Amber

Contemporary Handmade Bronze Ring with Amber by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Bronze Bark Ring with Amber - SMR7-252 - Handmade Jewelry by John S Brana - Side View

Bronze Bark Ring with Amber - Handmade Jewelry by John S Brana

Bronze Ring with Amber - SMR7-252 - Handmade Jewelry by John S Brana - Side View 2

Bronze Bark Ring with Amber by John S Brana - Handmade Designer Jewelry

Bronze Ring with Amber by Handmade Jewelry by John S Brana

Bronze Bark Ring with Amber by John S Brana

This Contemporary Handmade Bronze Ring with Amber was hand fabricated from 16 gauge bronze sheet metal, formed around a mandrel, then set with a chip of Amber secured to each prong by cold connecting with a bronze rivet. The prongs were form-fitted around the irregularly cut Amber chip. The bark texture of the bronze ring shank (which is tapered) was produced by using a series of burs and engravers, then oxidized to enhance texture, and finally buffed.

Handmade Copper Ring with Amber

April 12, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Handmade Copper Ring with Amber

Handmade Copper Ring with Amber by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Handmade Copper Ring with Amber - Side View 1 - by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Handmade Copper Ring with Amber - Side View 2 - by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

This one-of-a-kind Handmade Copper Ring with Amber was hand-fabricated by wrapping 6 gauge 1/2 round copper wire around a mandrel, then securing the Amber gemstone bead by cold connecting it to the top and bottom prongs with a copper rivet. The “bark” texture on the copper ring shank was produce using a series of burs and engravers.

April 2012 Handmade Jewelry Giveaway – Turquoise Patinated Copper Tear Drop Earrings

April 1, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Patinated Turquoise Copper Tear Drop Earrings by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

For our April 2012 jewelry giveaway, win these beautiful 4 inch long Turquoise Patinated Copper Tear Drop Earrings by entering your email address on any pop-up hang-tag that appears on www.johnsbrana.com or on the entry form on the top right-hand side of this blog. Your entry carries over month to month, so there’s no need to re-enter every month.

Each month will feature a different piece of jewelry, so enter now!

In addition to the chance of winning free jewelry every month, our subscribers also enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 50% off on featured handmade jewelry.

Click here to see the contest rules.

Fashionable Bronze Rings

March 27, 2012 By jbrana Leave a Comment

Bronze Rutilated Quartz Cocktail Ring by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Bronze is a metal alloy consisting mostly of copper with tin as the primary additive. Depending on the craftsman’s preferences, other metals such as lead can also be added to the mixture to create an alloy with specific material qualities. Bronze has been used over the ages to make a range of items from weapons, such as spears and arrowheads, to jewelry, such as bracelets and pendants. In fact, artifacts like bronze rings have been found that date back over four millennia when the Bronze Age began and the alloy was first coming into use.

The History of Bronze

When mankind first started mining tin, it was a big step towards the technological improvement of our species. The first mines are said to have been in Greece, Egypt and China, and were key to the production of jewelry, such as bronze rings, and other artifacts of the time. Bronze was so important that this period was later named the Bronze Age as it marked an important step towards the society that we know of today. This is because any items made with this alloy were strong, with the ability to endure over time. This can be seen in the wide variety of ancient bronze jewelry that is currently displayed in museums all over the world.

The Demand for Bronze

As for why bronze was and is so popular, this comes down to its unique properties. Bronze replaced copper, a soft metal that loses its shine very easily. Bronze, on the other hand, is a tough alloy which retains its luster for many years. In the past, spears and arrowheads were made with bronze, which could pierce the toughest armor. Even mirrors were made from this amazing metal, a luxury that only the very rich could afford. Nowadays, the focus has turned to jewelry, and bronze rings, necklaces and pendants are now being sold in the top stores around the world.

Bronze Tree Branch Ring with Trillion Cut Citrin - Handmade Jewelry by John S Brana

Bronze Tree Branch Ring with Trillion Cut Citrine - Handmade Jewelry by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Bronze Ring Designs

Since this is a metal that can be easily forged, expert craftsmen can then mold it into a myriad of forms perfect to be used as designer jewelry. In particular, it is now possible to find bronze rings of all shapes and sizes in stores around the world. From band designs containing simple etchings to more elaborate styles featuring tree-like tendrils and embedded gemstones, there is a wide enough variety out there to suit anyone’s tastes.

Wearing Bronze Jewelry

And of course, these rings are quite versatile and can be worn out and about just about anywhere. Elegant enough for a formal dinner and durable enough for an outdoor barbeque, these rings really are made for all occasions. As well as enhancing your look, bronze rings are also known for their medicinal properties and have been used for centuries in the relief and treatment of joint pain and arthritis. This means that you will not only be wearing something that makes you look stylish and elegant, but bronze will also make your life easier if you do suffer from this common ailment.

Help Us Win San Francisco Bay Area Best Fine Jewelry – ABC 7 News

March 26, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Vote for John S Brana - Best Fine Jewelry in the Bay Area

There are only four days left to vote for the Best Fine Jewelry in the San Francisco Bay Area. Please help us win by clicking on the image and casting your vote fore us. We won 1st Place in 2008 and came in 2nd Place in 2010. Please help us win again, and thank you for your continued support!

Click Here to Vote for John S Brana – Handmade San Francisco Jewelry

The 3 Advantages of Being a Fashion Blogger

March 15, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Fashion Blogger Monetization Programs

Running your very own fashion blog allows you to benefit in so many different ways. Not only do you get to write about a topic that is fun, exciting and constantly changing, but you can also reap the rewards of being connected to one of the most dynamic industries on the planet. Whether entering free jewelry giveaways and promotions or actually earning money through specialized marketing schemes, the keen fashion blogger can gain so much through their webpage while remaining on top of all the latest news from one of the world’s most vibrant areas.

Jewelry Giveaway Programs for the Fashion Blogger

Handmade Jewelry Fashion Blogger Affiliate Program Banner Ad for Your Jewelry Blog

Typical Handmade Jewelry Affiliate Program Banner Ad by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

First, by keeping in touch with a range of stores, the smart blogger can then stay notified whenever a new competition or promotion is begun. Not only will they then have something extra to write about on their site, but they will also be able to enter these types of jewelry giveaways and hopefully gain a free, stylish accessory in the process. By seeking out the best sources of information for your readers, you will be able to enter into many more promotions and competitions yourself, giving you the chance to win some truly magnificent pieces of jewelry.

Jewelry Affiliate Programs for the Fashion Blogger

Second, the smart fashion blogger can earn a decent income by hooking up with a range of jewelry affiliate programs. These will connect their site to some of the best online retailers in the business, allowing them to earn some additional cash whenever one of their readers makes a purchase. Combined with a large enough fan base and content that is interesting and relevant, the right affiliate programs can actually bring in quite a lot of money for the owner of that particular fashion blog. They are an easy way for the right people to enhance their income through the Internet.

Lastly, writing for this industry allows you to stay on top of all of the latest developments that are happening around the world. The world of fashion accessories is constantly changing and by creating useful, informative articles on the subject, you will then be exposed to the latest details as they occur. This is one of the best ways to keep in trend with the latest news, so that you can tailor your appearance to match whatever is hot that season. Embody the element of style, elegance and grace quite easily simply by commencing a career as an online fashion writer.

If all of this seems interesting, you will be glad to know that starting off as a blogger is not that difficult. Since you already have a desire to write about the amazing world of fashion, you will then need to create your own website. Fortunately, there are a number of free options available where you can start a professional looking blog regardless of your technical expertise. After this, it will simply be a matter of sitting down and writing about the latest news, gossip and products that emerge. If you do this well enough, you can then reap the many rewards that this exciting profession as a fashion blogger can bring.

Jewelry Giveaways

March 10, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Green Patinated Copper Earrings by San Francisco Jewelry Designer John S Brana

Jewelry Giveaways – Stylish Jewelry for Free

Are you searching for a new addition to your wardrobe that will not cost you the Earth? Are you on a limited budget but would still like something to brighten up your day? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should keep a look out for a jewelry giveaway or two and gain the chance to obtain a truly stylish accessory without having to pay anything at all. Fortunately, many of the top retailers have regular competitions in which their customers can receive a stylish bracelet, necklace or pendant completely free of charge.

The Goal of Most Jewelry Giveaways

Some of you may be wondering why any retailer would just give away their products for free like this. The answer is quite simple though, as competitions such as these typically draw the attention of fashion lovers everywhere, especially if the item is truly elegant. Even though only a small number of people may receive a complementary pair of earrings or a set of bangles, more people will know about the store simply by entering the jewelry giveaway. These promotions cause a surge in popularity which then increases the chances of someone making an actual purchase in the long-term.

These types of competitions work in a fairly simple manner as well, meaning that everyone can enter. The most basic forms involve providing your email address to the retailer running the promotion. They will then enter this into a draw and will choose a select number of individuals to receive the stated prize once the final date has been reached. This means that you can now enter a range of jewelry giveaways without having to do much at all. Expanding your collection of fancy accessories has never been so easy to accomplish. Simply hand over your email address and wait to see if you are a winner!

Finding Jewelry Giveaways

As for how you can find these types of jewelry giveaways, you can do so quite easily through your favorite search engine. Just make sure that the site is legitimate before giving away any of your personal details. If the online store looks professional and it is obvious that the jeweler has a great deal of skill and experience behind them, you should then feel comfortable to enter into the draw and hopefully win a fantastic pendant or pair of earrings in the process. Just be smart and give yourself the best chance of winning something.

These types of promotions are a great way to find out which accessories are currently available out there. Seeing as new jewelry giveaways are constantly being created, you can learn about the sheer diversity now available without having to spend anything at all. If you are lucky, you may even get the chance to receive one of these stylish pieces to wear out and about regardless of the occasion. So, what are you waiting for? The sooner you enter a number of these great jewelry giveaways, the better the chance that you will actually win a stunning new handmade jewelry accessory to add to your collection.

Ways to Earn Money with a Jewelry Blog

March 5, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Handmade Jewelry Affiliate Program Banner Ad for Your Jewelry Blog

Typical Handmade Jewelry Affiliate Program Banner Ad by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Monetizing Your Jewelry Blog

With the amount of blogs now found online, you may be interested in starting your own. The jewelry industry is one highly interesting topic that draws a lot of attention and creating a blog on the subject can be a great way to attract a lot of readers. After you have built up a following though, you should then think about how to make some money from your blog. Fortunately, there are a wide number of ways in which you can write about something you love while still gaining some sort of income from it in the process.

Jewelry Affiliate Programs – A Great Way to Monetize Your Jewelry Blog

One of the best ways to earn money via your blog is by joining up with a jewelry affiliate program or two. These networks will link your website to a reputable online store selling necklaces, bracelets and other fashionable items. You will then have to wait for one of your readers to click the link and make a purchase so that you can gain a percentage of that sale. If the topic of your blog is relevant to the products being sold, you will have a higher chance of attracting those interested in making a purchase, thus improving the odds of earning some extra income.

Sponsors – Ask Your Jewelry Blog Readers for Support

You can also ask for donations through your website. If your jewelry blog has a loyal following who actually find the fashion information that you post useful, they may be willing to offer you a small payment in return. These transactions can be done through sites such as PayPal and Amazon or through more traditional methods such as checks and bank transfers. This one of the friendliest ways of earning some money as it is unobtrusive. It completely relies on the kindness of your readers though, so you should not expect large returns unless you have a very loyal fan base.

Run Test or Image Ads on Your Jewelry Blog

Ads are one of the more obvious ways of earning some income through your blog. They are simple to put up too and can promote everything from diamond earrings to amber jewelry directly through your site. This form of marketing can be one of the most annoying for your readers though and can actually drive people away if it is not done properly. Large graphics or animations can detract from the look of your jewelry blog, and it is smarter to choose smaller text-based ads instead. In this way you can subtly promote the latest fashion accessories without annoying your readers.

Jewelry Blog Sponsored Content

Finally, paid content is another great idea for earning money from your website. If your blog is good enough and has a large fan base, you can charge for extras such as videos, podcasts and e-books which will give people more information about what is currently happening in the world of jewelry. Fashion lovers are always keen on being up-to-date and should be willing to pay some extra money to gain the latest information available. Creating this extra content can take a lot of work though and is only really worth it if your jewelry blog fan base is large enough.

Monetizing Your Fashion Blog with a Jewelry Affiliate Program

March 2, 2012 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

The Mechanics of a Jewelry Affiliate Program

Simply put, affiliate marketing is one business rewarding another for directing new customers to their store. For example, if a jeweler wishes to let more people know about their products, they can establish an affiliate network to aid with their online promotions. Then all that they need is a publisher who can advertise this network on their website and hopefully attract some new customers in this way. As a reward for each sale, the vendor will offer an amount of money to the publisher. As such, the best jewelry affiliate programs can actually help website owners earn some extra cash.

The Benefits of a Handmade Jewelry Affiliate Program

Typical Handmade Jewelry Affiliate Program Banner Ad by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Generally speaking, most affiliate programs work on the pay per sale (PPS) model. This means that the publisher will receive a portion of the total price for a particular product if they successfully direct a customer to that store. This works well with items such as handmade jewelry as these stunning accessories are typically not cheap. As such, by advertising for a particular affiliate program, a website owner can take advantage of the fact that customers will be willing to pay a decent amount for an exquisite necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings.

Advertising is Key to a Successful Jewelry Affiliate Program

Adding a jewelry affiliate program to your site can be a great way to monetize it, gaining some extra cash over the long-term. These types of systems are quite easy to set up, though you will need to put some effort into advertising and drawing potential customers to your webpage. If you have a blog or some other site which is jewelry-oriented, placing a link to a reliable affiliate program can actually be a smart move. This is especially true if you have a decent number of regular readers, as there is a high chance that one of them will be interested in purchasing the products offered.

Choose a Jewelry Affiliate Program That Best Suits Your Blog Audience

To add a jewelry affiliate program to your website or jewelry blog, you will need to get in touch with a store which has a scheme such as this set in place. Make sure that the chosen retailer offers unique, high quality products, so that you have a better chance of actually achieving a sale through the link that you place on your site. By thinking like the consumer, you can gain a fair idea of what will work when it comes to online advertising. Just be smart when choosing an affiliate program and you will gain a better chance of earning some additional cash in the process.

Once you have placed a reliable affiliate scheme on your website, you will need to begin advertising for it. This will lend a sense of professionalism to your online offerings, especially because you can explain in detail why the particular necklaces, bangles and pendants being sold will make a fantastic addition to your readers’ wardrobe. By placing content that is directly connected to the affiliate link on your site, you will improve the chances of drawing in readers who are actually interested in purchasing a fine set of handmade accessories through your chosen jewelry affiliate program.

Aluminum Anticlastic Bangle with Blue Quartz Gemstone

Recommended Reading

Contemporary Handmade Bronze Ring with Amber

Recommended Reading

Handmade Copper Ring with Amber

Recommended Reading

Recommended Reading

The History of Bronze

The Demand for Bronze

Bronze Ring Designs

Wearing Bronze Jewelry

Recommended Reading

Recommended Reading

Fashion Blogger Monetization Programs

Jewelry Giveaway Programs for the Fashion Blogger

Jewelry Affiliate Programs for the Fashion Blogger

Recommended Reading

Jewelry Giveaways – Stylish Jewelry for Free

The Goal of Most Jewelry Giveaways

Finding Jewelry Giveaways

Recommended Reading

Monetizing Your Jewelry Blog

Jewelry Affiliate Programs – A Great Way to Monetize Your Jewelry Blog

Sponsors – Ask Your Jewelry Blog Readers for Support

Run Test or Image Ads on Your Jewelry Blog

Jewelry Blog Sponsored Content

Recommended Reading

The Mechanics of a Jewelry Affiliate Program

The Benefits of a Handmade Jewelry Affiliate Program

Advertising is Key to a Successful Jewelry Affiliate Program

Choose a Jewelry Affiliate Program That Best Suits Your Blog Audience

Recommended Reading

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