June 01, 2014
May 28, 2014
Fold forming is a collection of techniques developed and pioneered by Charles Lewton-Brain. These fold forming techniques are now being used in a wide array of jewelry styles, from earrings to bracelets. During the process of fold forming, sheets of metal are hammered and annealed into three-dimensional shapes without any soldering. While only a couple decades old – hailing back to the 1980s – this metalsmithing process employs metal’s plasticity to create complex forms. Fold forming has become widely recognized as a new approach to jewelry-making and metal-working all over the world. Modern fold forming is considered a combination of traditional metalwork and origami. It’s about allowing the metal to fold in natural ways according to its plasticity, instead of forcing form. When one does not fight to form the metal, forming becomes extremely rapid and efficient. Highly complex relief forms can be produced with just a single sheet of metal and a few tools, including your hands, fingers, mallets, hammers, anvils, and rolling mills. Fold forming techniques can be used with a wide range of metals, including steel, niobium, and aluminum. They are often used in enameling, holloware, and jewelry as there is no soldering required.
Names are given to the basic folds in the process of fold forming. These may include T-Folds, Line-Folds, Rueger Folds, and Cross-Folds, among others. Both traditional and non-traditional metals can be used in fold forming. Copper is an ideal medium, often used in jewelry, for its brilliant luster and versatility. While fold forms are beautiful in themselves, they are often used as components in more complex pieces. Once basic folds have been mastered, fold forms can be manipulated, sliced, and rejoined.
Form folding is an art form that provides quick and gratifying results and lead to fresh and innovative design ideas in jewelry and other objects. While there are a set of basic fold-forms known, each can be taken in many directions. It’s entirely possible to create a form that has never been done before. Due to their uniqueness and beautiful qualities, fold formed jewelry makes for the perfect gift idea for any occasion.
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise, The British Museum Research Lab, and several others have certified the process of fold forming as new and has never been done in the history of metal working. Fold forming is unlike traditional forms of jewelry as they have more texture and creative properties that make them must-have pieces in every jewelry box.
July 25, 2012
Increase in Traffic
Using a Pinterest account for your jewelry business is a great way to boost your traffic. Here is how it works: Create a Pinterest account and link it to your website. Each item that you decide to pin to the theme board will have a link that directs back to your website. When someone sees an image on your theme board and likes it, they can then put it onto their own Pinterest boards and share it with family and friends.
Social Networking
Pinterest is one of the easiest social networking sites to use. It doesn’t take long at all to create an account and to start sharing pins. Many jewelry businesses use an image to represent each item they are selling on their ecommerce stores. When people like the product, they can share the picture with others, thus boosting traffic and sales. Just pin your items to your theme board, it’s that easy.
It’s Cost-Effective
Pinterest is highly cost-effective for personal use and and for businesses, as it’s absolutely free to use. This form of social networking is similar to the old ‘word of mouth’ way of advertising, but has the benefit of having gone viral. If you’re looking for a totally free way to share with people from around the world, Pinterest is certainly the way to do it.
Easy to Get Started
To use Pinterest, there is no special equipment or software to buy. All you need to use this social networking platform is a computer and a connection to the Internet. As one of the fastest growing media sites today with a large following, it’s never been easier to get extra traffic to your site to sell your products. This makes it a must-have platform to use as it can bring about a great revenue stream.
Prompts Targeted Traffic
Not only does Pinterest provide traffic to your jewelry website, but that traffic will also be targeted. Most people will pin items on their boards that they like or would like to have someday. This could include your handmade jewelry designs. Since each of your images is linked directly to your jewelry website, visitors can make their way from your photographs on Pinterest to your website with just a click of the mouse.
With more than 2.2 million users a day on Pinterest, it is easily one of the best media sites on the web to use. If you don’t have a Pinterest account, you are certainly missing out. There are many benefits to using this platform, from targeted traffic to its cost-effective strategy. Anyone can use Pinterest too – from photographers to artsy moms.
July 20, 2012
Opt for two colors. Many fashion experts recommend starting with two colors when using the color blocking trend. For those daring individuals, try two contrasting colors that will make your jewelry stand out. For a more subdued look, select colors that complement one another, such as a pink and red or a blue and purple combination. Try a variety of colors until you find combinations that flatter your skin tone.
April 17, 2012
Jeweler John S. Brana, has announced a search for fashion bloggers to review his most popular handmade jewelry collections. Primarily sold in an online e-commerce environment, John S. Brana is an ideal fit for a blogging campaign. The concept is one that has clear advantages for both parties: bloggers get free jewelry and material to create interesting copy for their readers while the jewelry brand gains exposure to a niche audience interested in the types of products that they sell.
Brana is no stranger to reaching out to the active fashion blogging community. “For over seven years, we have been working with fashion bloggers periodically and are now looking to partner with more” says the popular jeweler. He is one of a rare breed: a savvy business man as well as talented artist and is tapping into a growing trend where businesses and bloggers pair for a mutually beneficial opportunity. This type of marketing has grown out of the dynamic shift from print to online media, where independent bloggers, not faceless media companies hold the keys to consumer exposure.
Fashion bloggers accepted to the program will also earn affiliate revenue with a particularly long tracking period of 1yr, allowing for a longer term relationship than many other blog campaigns. Bloggers who feel their readership would be a good fit should visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/handmade-jewelry/johnsbrana/prweb9404928.htm for more details.
March 15, 2012
March 10, 2012 1 Comment
March 05, 2012
March 02, 2012
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.
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.
February 29, 2012
The first step in creating a successful jewelry blog is to build up the traffic to your site. This is a twofold process which involves writing for both your readers and for the search engines. By creating useful, unique content about these attractive accessories, you will encourage people to check back on your site on a regular basis. You will also need to include a number of popular words and phrases that people enter in when searching over the net, so that they can find your jewelry blog through any sort of search engine. In this way, you will gain the maximum amount of exposure and build up your reader base with ease.
October 12, 2011 3 Comments
Big, bold and attention grabbing, it is obvious that with statement jewelry, more really is better. This season, put away those simpler accessories and be ready to complement your outfit with some of the latest trends. With today’s fashion designers incorporating statement earrings and bracelets into their latest outfits, it is time to jump on board and go out and purchase some of these fabulous items for yourself. This fall and winter, choose bigger, choose louder, and build up a stunning collection of statement jewelry perfect for any occasion. The sheer variety is enough to please any fashion enthusiast.
Statement earrings are making a big comeback this season. This means that you can now wear those stunning copper disc earrings or shimmering silver chandelier earrings to the office, nightclub or restaurant and remain completely in trend with the latest fashion. Of course, there is more variety than this, and it is not hard to find statement earrings to suit all kinds of tastes and outfits. From simple aluminum designs to golden accessories encrusted with jewels, finding a pair of earrings that looks great and instantly grabs people’s attention is all too easy.
If earrings are not to your liking, statement bracelets are also a hot item this fall and winter. Huge cuff designs, perfect for being flaunted anywhere from the conference room to the bar, have been seen all over the catwalk recently. For something more elegant, but equally as bold, bangle bracelets have also been spotted on several occasions on some of today’s top models. There is enough diversity here to suit anyone. Whether you prefer to wear a large number of stylish aluminum bracelets, or a diamond-covered cuff bracelet is totally up to you. Whatever you choose, you will still be very much in fashion!
Regardless of which type of statement jewelry that you choose, there is now only one rule: wear a single piece that will complement and not draw attention away from your outfit. The trend at this time is that current outfits are seen with only a one item of fashion jewelry, rather than being covered in it. Whether this is from the more modest lifestyles that we are experiencing now due to the financial crisis is anyone’s guess, but what we are seeing on the catwalks is fairly concrete.
Choose carefully when dressing and pick one accessory that will make a statement in a subtle, yet bold way. Just remember to be smart with your fashion accessories, and wear the right pieces for the situation. For example, sporting a set of loud copper bangle bracelets is not recommended for the office environment. Similarly, a pair of jeweled statement earrings will not suit a barbeque or any other outdoor event. Remember that the trend is to wear one piece with your outfit, so choose well. The right decision will create a look that demands attention without being too overpowering. This just shows that it is possible to be both modest and fashionable at the same time with statement jewelry!
July 06, 2011
Quality: Chandelier earrings often have many moving parts, making quality on the top of the list for important features. Handmade chandelier earrings are made with a high attention to detail, making them the ideal option if you are looking for durable jewelry. Sturdy metals, including platinum, gold, copper, and sterling silver, are terrific options. Colors: While many women prefer brilliant, bold colors, be sure that you select a pair of earrings that are versatile enough to be worn with many different outfits. If you want a neutral metal that will match nearly anything you wear, opt for two-toned earrings or select earrings that will pair well with your existing jewelry. Styles: When it comes to style, chandelier earrings have many to choose from. Some chandelier earrings consist of geometric shapes that give them an ‘art deco’ feel. Others feature multi-gemstone, free-falling designs that offer a bohemian effect. Consider your wardrobe before selecting a pair of chandelier earrings to properly match outfits.
Comfort: Always consider comfort over style, especially when it comes to larger chandelier statement earrings. Backings should be study, as the weight of the earrings can put too much pressure on the earlobes. Many women look for chandelier earrings with hooks, as these provide more support for the ears, minimizing the weight.