The Build-A-Line Jewelry Class
Since January I've been taking the Build A Line Challenge class online via B'Sue Boutiques. We've read about and discussed the business side of jewelry making with topics such as tracking inventory and pricing, plus worked on developing our own cohesive jewelry collections. The idea behind creating jewelry collections as opposed to a bunch of random jewelry pieces is that you not only help the shopper who might want matching or coordinating pieces, but you also help the shopkeeper (or you, if you sell your own work) to make a better display.
I can hear some of you asking me, But don't you already know all that stuff?
Well, yes, I've been selling my jewelry online since 2011. I've even written about this topic before (see 6 Reasons To Create a Jewelry Line). I've developed my own ways of running my business and creating my designs, but at the same time, I always enjoy hearing other perspectives. You can always learn something new no matter how much you think you know now. And this class made me think about creating jewelry collections in a new way. Here's how I made my latest collection:
I started this collection by assembling a few jewelry parts that might work well together. I chose a western theme as a nod to my adopted home town in Colorado.
The Finished Collection
Here's a look at the five pieces I created:
You can find more photos and details of each individual piece in my Etsy shop:
- Leather Hoop on Steel Chain Necklace
- Saddle Pendant on Leather Cord
- Steel Bangle Bracelet with Leather Tassel
- Boho Bracelet with Brown Leather
- Leather Hoop Earrings
The Meanings Behind The Materials
You can see that I didn't use every element from my original photo of materials -- at least for these first five pieces. I may still use them to create additional designs.
I chose these elements for the collection deliberately:
- The weathered leather adds a comfortable, everyday vibe, plus speaks to the idea that items (and people) that are aged and rough can still be beautiful. Leather has long been associated with western wear: boots, hats, jackets.
- The western elements of rope and saddles also touch on the western theme. I especially like that the rope elements on the bracelets and necklaces are understated (you might not even notice that it's a rope).
- The hammered texture on the leather tassel is a second nod to the idea of something being weathered, rough, and beautiful. (Nothing quite picks up the light like metal jewelry with texture.)
- The stainless steel bangle and findings (including the clasps) represents inner strength and the ability to withstand crisis and difficulty.
- The mottled gemstones (the purple and turquoise impression jasper) show how little bits of different elements can come together to form a beautiful whole. The dark brown rounds are espresso agate. Who doesn't need a little shot of coffee to start the day?
- I also love the open circles and ovals as a symbol to be open to whatever life brings.
Creating Your Own Jewelry Collection
If you want to try to create your own jewelry collection, you might enjoy this video from B'Sue Boutiques, "One of a Kind Pieces Versus a Cohesive Jewelry Line." She starts with an embellished necklace and then steps out ideas for simpler earrings, bracelets, and necklaces using some of the same elements.
Since I rarely create elaborate pieces, I took a different tack in designing my jewelry line. I started with a simple earring design using wire wrapped gemstone links and some boot charms.
What? You don't see them?
That's because I deleted them. Or rather, took them apart. What I learned with this challenge is that making jewelry can be very similar to writing.
In writing, you're often advised to cut the first page since it can be full of throat clearing as you try to stumble your way to your topic. This is the first time that I remember this happening so clearly with jewelry design.
The boot earrings propelled me to start. I needed them the same way I sometimes need a full page of umms ... and what I meant to say .... in order to create an editable draft of a story.
After I finished the five pieces shown here, I realized that the first pair of boot earrings didn't quite belong. For a few days I thought about making them fit by adding leather or other elements. It was honestly a bit hard to let go. But in the end, I decided to simply edit them out. In the spirit of Marie Kondo, I thanked them for their service and tucked them away for another day.