Making jewellery for yourself

[Seahorse]

Ive realised I want some jewellery for me.
So when mr credit card has ticked over to a new month and i can start spending again I am going to purchase some goodies and make a couple of pieces for me...just me...no one else. you understand...nooooobody else..me and me alone...me.


How often do you make pieces for yourself and what do you make?

[mjbelkin]

I regularly make stuff for me - I think I'm my best customer :sm:

Generally speaking, when I'm trying out a new technique, I make a piece for me and wear it a lot so I know how strong the design is.

[BeadsbyLili]

I use to make loads of stuff but now I only get time to play as I'm bagging the beads... still I do get to string a new pendant on a bit or ribbon or thong every now and then (of course, one has to really...its advertising !)

[HelloBeads.co.uk]

I often start out making something as a kit or a lesson for my customers and then realise that I really like it myself!! I am often going to my samples box to 'borrow' a few of my demonstration pieces!! In fact I am wearing the 'monthly project' from my website today!! lol

I am actually getting married this summer so I am enjoying experimenting with some wedding styled jewellery. I think I will make myself a glass pearl necklace with these gorgeous little crystal rhinestones which I have just received from one of my suppliers. :)

Seahorse... I hope you go a little crazy spending and then make some beautiful things for yourself

[mizgeorge]

I make most of my stuff for me. Then I seem to end up selling it (or my OH tells me to do so!).

[swirlyarts]

When I get round to making my jewelery I will wear it myself for a while and see what people think before I unleash it on the public!

[Seahorse]

When i went to london last week I wore one of my pink swarovski bead necklaces and I feel it got a fair few looks.

[swirlyarts]

Oooh - that's an idea! I could make them before I go to London and wear them there! I would imagine they will be more of a London/fashion area kind of thing rather than a Burnley thing!!

[momoab]

Strange but i have never made anything for me, hmmm
Somebody told me it brings bad luck for a goldsmith to make jewellery for himself, i can imagine it is stupid but since then 10 years ago i always take jewellery from colegues.

[HelloBeads.co.uk]

I was thinking about trying to make our wedding rings. Went on a silversmith course and really enjoyed it. But now I have decided that it is too much pressure in case they go wrong!! Maybe I will make us both rings at a later date...

...which reminds me - if anyone does want to make their own wedding rings then I saw this brilliant company at a wedding fair that do a weekend for couples when they go away and make each other rings under guidance. What a cool idea - it was quite expensive though!

[Seahorse]

Thats a great idea, really personal.
I did a silversmithing course too.Had a fantastic silver ring at the end of it, like to take the credit for it but have to say most of it was done by the teacher.

Ive realised I cant really think of anything I want to make myself.
I have one idea but not the hundreds of ideas I thought I had.

[Solitaire]

I don't actually wear much jewellery, a watch and some stud earrings so never think to make anything for myself :D

[glasskanvas]

I think I must have made well over 20,000 pieces and haven't worn a single one!...My stuff is suited for women really so I think i'd get a few funny looks, but it's nice to know i've got options!
Phil

[Craft Chick]

I make jewellery, its one of my favourite crafts- nothing fancy just beads wire and nylon. I did want to start selling it but the only problem is I only make things I like and then I want to keep them!"!!!

I try and make a few new bits every weekend, I had to buy a massive new jewellery box last Christmas because I have amassed so much!

Happy jewellery making Seahorse!

[Emma Farnworth]

I try to keep one item from each range for me! they're normally pieces that arent quite good enough to sell but good enough to wear as an advert :)
like a couple of rings i did recently, the soldering was a little dodgy on the shank but they looked fine when they were on, got some interest while i was wearing them too!

[rowanb]

Hi there,

...which reminds me - if anyone does want to make their own wedding rings then I saw this brilliant company at a wedding fair that do a weekend for couples when they go away and make each other rings under guidance. What a cool idea - it was quite expensive though!

What was this course that you are talking about- do you have the name of the company that runs it?

It sounds really interesting
Cheers c

[Seahorse]

The course I went on was at South hill park in Bracknell.


Coincidently I recieved a charm for a necklace im aking myself.Just added it to a chain, still waiting for some sparkly beads so I can make 2 more necklaces..for me...allll forr meeeee.

[Agnesbo]

What do you like the style and material?

[Gerald julie]

Hi there,

...which reminds me - if anyone does want to make their own wedding rings then I saw this brilliant company at a wedding fair that do a weekend for couples when they go away and make each other rings under guidance. What a cool idea - it was quite expensive though!

What was this course that you are talking about- do you have the name of the company that runs it?

It sounds really interesting
Cheers c

Which company is it?

[caketopper]

I have made myself 2 pairs of earrings out of clay, would love to make more but its having the time. Im going to wait until after my PMC course before I really get into jewe:Dlry making

[benchaddict]

I make it a rule to "road test" everything I make. Well now, it would not do to sell a design that does not work.

Of course I have to keep these prototype items as they are no longer new........................

"Somebody told me it brings bad luck for a goldsmith to make jewellery for herself"

Oh dear. I probably have a whole lot of bad luck ahead. And behind me.

Ruth.;)

[Hopej]

[quote=Seahorse;44241]The course I went on was at South hill park in Bracknell.

Hello Seahorse,

You must live near me? I live in Wokingham. My mum works at South Hill Park (I used to) and I am hoping to do that course in the spring, how did you find it?

Sarah

[anniec]

I make it a rule to "road test" everything I make. Well now, it would not do to sell a design that does not work.

Of course I have to keep these prototype items as they are no longer new........................

"Somebody told me it brings bad luck for a goldsmith to make jewellery for herself"

Oh dear. I probably have a whole lot of bad luck ahead. And behind me.

Ruth.;)

I'm glad to hear it's not just me that does that!! It's also great when someone's looking at my stuff at a fair and I can say 'I love that piece in fact I'nm wearing one of them'!

[freshfruitsalad]

Holy thread resurrection! (batman)

I only have about 3 pieces, one I made to match a particular dress, but it goes with absolutely anything, one I made for me to wear at a craft fair as it's quite eye catching, the other I was just playing at home with some beads, and made the most gorgeous necklace, it would sell so I would try and recreate it one day maybe

[artemisdesigns]

Hope you manage to think of lots of wonderful things to make for yourself!!!

I am the same as some of the previous posters, in that I will wear something which is not quite up to scratch but is good enough to wear to advertise.

[gbell]

I hardly ever get the chance to wear stuff I make, I wear mostly my own jewellery but Its stuff Ive made specifically for myself, usually silver clay stuff.

I did get a chance to go all out at my Brother's wedding last month and wore a headband and lots of sparkly stuff

[ejralph]

I don't seem to ever wear jewellery these days, let alone make stuff for myself. I can only guess that I am putting all my creative juju into what I am making, so there is none left to prettify myself! That's my excuse anyway ;-)

That said, I made a ceramic pendant and earrings this week that I really like. So if they don't sell in the next few days I am going to snuffle out of the online store and keep them for me!

I don't often wear anything, let alone my work. But I really quite fancy keeping these two!
http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/shop/images/ceramicearringsa2.jpg http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/shop/images/ceramicpendanta1.jpg

[JoysJewellery]

I love making pieces for myself it makes me feel as though i have something new even though its not really. i especially love it when i get complimented on things that i wear that are mine. Its great self promotion.

[eremiel]

i made a necklace for me and had a lot of comments on it so starting telling people "well i could make you one" then giving them a biz card ;)

[vintage princess uk]

hubby is giving me money for xmas .. so im going to buy few items of jewellery from - myself! i will pay for the finished piece, not the materials so that way i make a profit and can reinvest the money in more materials !

[Venusrocks]

I love wearing jewellery that I've made myself although it's not always stuff that I'd sell on my website as a lot of that is bridal and occasion wear.

A few things I've made for myself and worn have brought in commissions for the same or similar items though so it's definitely worth doing as a bit of free advertising!

[Oliverm]

I know someone who tinkers her own guardian angels of glass beads. they're soo cute - i love them. I hope she will give me some as Christmas gift.

[Purplewishgallery.com]

Hello

When I start my journey with jewellery I was my first and best customer.But I must say very fussy one:)

Karina