Handmade Bronze Jewelry

February 1, 2012 By jbrana 1 Comment

Sunstone Tree Branch Ring - Bronze Jewelry by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Sunstone Tree Branch Bronze Ring by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Handmade Bronze Jewelry – The Next Best Jewelry Trend

Any fashion conscious woman will be constantly on the lookout for the next best thing when it comes to enhancing her appearance, showing off her individuality and drawing attention from all those around her. While there are many different choices out there, none works quite as well as handmade bronze jewelry. Currently being retailed in many of the top jewelry stores around the globe, these stylish items are a must-have addition to anyone’s collection of fine fashion accessories as they can be worn out and about to almost any type of occasion.

Why Bronze Jewelry?

While not as popular as metals such as gold, platinum and silver, bronze certainly has a few advantages when it comes to being used in designer jewelry. First of all, it is a tough material, durable enough to be worn often to a outdoor events, such as garden parties or days out at the beach. This metal also retains its luster for years on end, allowing you to wear it for longer without having to replace or repair any parts. Lastly, handmade bronze jewelry is also very affordable. Made from a combination of copper and tin, bronze can be used to make a range of beautiful accessories that will not cost a fortune to buy.

Why Handmade Bronze Jewelry?

The true connoisseur of fine jewelry will know that there is something very special to be found in items that have been made by hand. Each piece is unique, displaying an individuality which can then reflect positively upon the wearer. In this way, handmade bronze jewelry is an affordable means of enhancing your outfit in a manner that is purely yours without costing a fortune in the process. If you take pride in your appearance, these exquisite items come highly recommended.

Locating the Best Bronze Jewelry Retailers

Green Amethyst Tree Branch Handmade Bronze Ring by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Green Amethyst Tree Branch Handmade Bronze Ring by San Francisco bronze jewelry designer John S Brana

Of course, you will need to source out the best craftsmen in order to procure some handmade bronze jewelry which is well-made and which will last for a lifetime. Choosing the smaller stores is a good idea as these experts have to rely on their skills and creativity to sell their products and earn a decent living. The best will carefully create each of their items by hand, pouring love and care into each piece as though they themselves were going to wear these fine accessories out and about around town. These professionals will retail a range of quality jewelry that will look fantastic with just about any outfit.

Bronze Jewelry – A Look to Be Proud Of

After you have purchased any designer accessories that take your fancy, you can then put them on and enhance your appearance, regardless of whether you are going to work, eat or party. Handmade bronze jewelry is very versatile and can be worn to both formal and casual occasions. With these rings, bracelets and pendants, you can then confidently live your life, knowing full well that you look radiant and stunning at all times. For the woman who wants the best in life, these stylish bronze jewelry accessories can certainly provide her with an amazing look.

Is Bigger Better? When Bold Jewelry is Best

October 5, 2010 By jbrana 2 Comments

Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings and Pendant by John S. Brana

Jazz Up a Simple Outfit with Bold Jewelry

Big, bold jewelry isn’t for everyone, and it certainly isn’t for everyday wear but sometimes a bit of bling can be just what the fashion doctor ordered to jazz up a simple outfit and take it to a whole new level. The Little Black Dress is a perfect example. Simple, monochrome clothes are a blank canvas that you can easily splash vibrant colors and large designs onto without clashing or appearing too brash.

Likewise, a formal pants and shirt combo can be brought to life with a larger than life necklace, stunning focal pendant or layers of bangles.

Don’t Overload Two Areas Close Together with Bold Jewelry

Professional make up artists have a rule that the focus should be either on the eyes or the mouth for the greatest effect. Likewise, when accessorizing with bold jewelry you shouldn’t overload two areas that are close together. Chandelier earrings paired with a multi-strand necklace can look fussy, while wearing giant cocktail rings with bulky, beaded bracelets runs the risk of you looking like a toddler who raided their mom’s jewelry box.

The key to wearing bold jewelry with style is to pick a few key pieces and showcase them, rather than making them compete against each other
for attention.

Keep Genres Similar with Bold Jewelry

When choosing large pieces of jewelry make sure that you choose designs that will work well with your overall look. Avoid pairing large gemstones with pearls, or mixing jewelry genres such as boho beaded strands with cast designs with faceted gems and polished metals.

Don’t be scared to experiment – dressing up with bold jewelry can be fun!

A Look at Silver Jewelry Designs

February 20, 2009 By John S. Brana 16 Comments

How does an artist design a piece of jewelry? Where does the inspiration come from? How is the initial look decided upon? How is the piece crafted once it’s design is final?

Well, let’s take a look at how silver jewelry is designed and find out.

A smart jewelry designer will make no piece of jewelry until its design is finalized. The process starts out by creating a series of sketches of the piece, from all angles, taking into consideration how it will be clasped to a wrist or neck to make sure proper fit. Much of this is learned over time, through trial and error.

The next step is actually creating the piece. At this point, the jewelry designer must be knowledgeable in a variety of technical skills, commonly referred to as metalsmithing. Once the type of metal is selected, the piece can be cast, fabricated, or cold connected (riveted, wire wrapped), and then embellished with surface texture and/or gemstones.

Different types of metal vary in softness and malleability – gold and silver are both relatively easy to work with, gold more so than silver. It pays to be skilled in the basics before tackling a project with either, especially high-priced gold. You can always take a class at your local adult education institute, or even watch videos on the internet which show you how. These videos are of course educational, but when it actually comes to working with metal, you need to have a workroom filled with all the necessary tools, and be willing to practice, practice, practice. Most large cities will have jewelry studios available for rent so that you can "test the waters" before investing in equipment.

Why work in silver instead of gold or platinum? Well, because silver is so much less expensive! Never buy gold jewelry because it’s a good "investment." You will always loose on both ends – the buy and sell. With gold prices fluctuating erratically, why not choose silver jewelry as an option? Not only are you getting a one-of-a-kind vision of the artist, but you don’t have to worry about where gold is going next!

Click Here For MORE Silver Jewelry Designs

Men’s Silver Jewelry – Definitely For Everyone

February 19, 2009 By John S. Brana 27 Comments

Some people like gold jewelry, and some people like silver. It all depends on if you like the warmth of gold, or the coolness of silver. If you’re a woman or a man, silver jewelry may very well be your thing. Silver and gold are the two main metals that have been used for jewelry since jewelry first started being worn!

Silver jewelry is actually made from "sterling silver", which is an alloy consisting of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. That’s because silver, like gold, is too soft in its normal state to be used – it is too easily deformed. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver. (When it comes to "hallmark quality" silverware, Britannia silver is used – that consists of 95.8% silver). Sterling silver is also sometimes "flashed." That means, its plated with a thin coat of .999 fine silver to give it a shiny finish.

When people think of jewelry, they usually associate jewelry being just for women, but for a man, silver jewelry has recently taken off. Silver bracelets, cufflinks, necklaces, and rings are all very popular. Although silver jewelry is made for both men and women, typically, jewelry aimed at men is more "masculine." Not only is it larger in diameter (to accommodate larger wrists and fingers), but also it’s more massive and sturdy.

Many elite jewelers craft designs for the male market. Hand-crafted designs are the most elegant and unique, while mass-market jewelry – made from lesser materials (usually stainless steel and plated brass) – are available as well. Guys want to wear unique silver jewelry for the same reasons that women do: to get noticed, to be confident, and to be unique.

Click Here To Get Your Hands On Lots Of Man Silver Jewelry

SoMa Collection Expands to Include Hammered Copper Jewelry

February 14, 2007 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Sleek and contemporary with a surprising bohemian undercurrent, the SoMa Collection features matching sets of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings in hand-forged fine silver, 14K gold filled, 14K gold, …and now copper! I love copper’s color and malleability, so I decided to incorporate it into several of my collections.

The pictured necklace and bracelet are handcrafted in pure copper and linked with fine silver jump rings. This versatile line is as appropriate at swank nightspots as it is at trendy coffee shops.

Stay tuned for more handcrafted necklaces, earrings, and bracelets in multiple textures and metals set with semi-precious gemstone beads over the next few months