How to Design Jewelry

Design:1: to conceive or execute a plan

2: to draw, lay out, or prepare a design

There are four main division of labor when making a piece of jewelry. They are color, style, material and time. The importance of each decision depends on your priorities. Some decide on a style then color then material and that dictates time. Some decide that they only want to take a half hour to make this item and they only have blue and green as color choices. Those two factors will take president over material and style.

It is a matter of personal preferences, either yours or your customers. I hate pink. Yet, I once made a pink bracelet and earring set because a customer wanted to give them to his sister for a birthday present. You have to make those decisions based on what is happening around you and what will sell.

Color:

What colors do you like? Has a client picked a certain palette? Does a theme come with its own color palette? Color has a variety of choices from what works with a theme to what colors work with other colors. If you have a Valentine theme, you might use pinks, red, whites and maybe even lilac. I'm kind of gothic, so when I make a necklace I tend towards dark colors and skulls for charms. It all depends on what you or your client prefers.

Style:

There are a lot of different styles to choose from. Do you like the 1920's fashions? Are you gothic like me? Are you a party princess? Whatever is your preference is where your style comes from. Do you have a client that is Scottish and wished to use a tartan theme? That is where the style would come from. If this is your highest priority, then it may predict your colors and material.

Materials:

There are a myrid of materials that can be used to make jewelry, from things bought at Michaels to found items like old keys. The materials you use is only limited by your imagination. I prefer metals. I make chainmail jewelry usually in anodized aluminum as that is what I can afford. I like AA as well. It is easy to use and I can work quickly. Materials may factor into what style and colors you use and how much time it will take for you to make it.

Time:

How much time do you have to spend on your project? Do you have a short attention span like I do? I like making basic necklaces, bracelets and earrings. They only take an hour or two to make and I have a completed project. Whenever I design a piece of jewelry, I take that into consideration.

No matter how you design your jewelry or other project, you are only limited by your imagination. Learn the rules of design, then break them to make your own unique creations!

All Definitions are from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008. Merriam-Webster Online. 1 October 2008.