Great 2011 Jewelry Article

I was surfing the web for 2011 jewelry trends today and I found this great article at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5648034/jewelry_design_ideas_for_spring_2011_pg2.html?cat=46
I wanted to share the article with you because if your a jewelry designer then this is a great article for you.

Every season some things change and some things stay the same. Defining what aspects of your collection to continue and which to renew and refresh is the daily challenge of professional jewelry designers. Below you will find key inside tips for success in creating a fabulous jewelry collection for spring 2011.

Let's look at the top fashion jewelry trends for Spring 2011 and break it down. The subtle differences in color are important to capture for your designs to look and feel updated. Color palettes that will be strong for spring are Black/white, blue/green, brown/coral, white on white. So not earth shattering news here. However, by using indigo blue and Kelly green, adding bright orange to coral, and mixing white with burnished metals, and black with artisan textures, you will find these basic color palettes to look brand new. Tip: Best selling color fashion jewelry is usually a rich mix of tones, finishes, and textures. Vary your hues, and mix transparent, opaque, metallic, and matte beads into your Designs.
Don't underestimate the beauty of brown this season. I believe the strongest way to include a brown story into spring 2011 jewelry is to maximize the 'animal' patterns trend. Use faux tortoise shell, printed animal patterns under clear or transparent colored epoxy, animal printed ribbons, or metal pierced with crocodile and zebra open work. Tip: When working with animal print patterns use soft geometric shapes to display them.Simple discs and orbital earrings are always very strong selling silhouettes to include in your selection.

Slick and bright color is hot for spring 20111 fashion jewelry. Use epoxy and enameling to achieve a high gloss finish on metals. Use hombre colors across a surface for a very chic 'butterfly wing' look. Epoxy

is a great way to add a lot of bold color without a lot of expense. While cuffs are a hot look, and multiple bangles look great on the runway, it is comfort and style that wins at the register. If you are targeting a higher end consumer, then be sure to maximize the boldness at the wrist. However, for mid-tier to missy customers I suggest creating a wonderful collection of color, metal, charms, pearls, and textures that create a layered wrist that is comfortable as well as dramatic. Earrings for Spring will have movement, lightness, and color. Multiple parts linking together to make larger looks without a lot of extra weight. Tip: Earrings are business drivers, so identify your best sellers and update them in very subtle ways. This way you have a few 'sure things' mixed with your new ideas.

Silver tone fashion jewelry looks to be a very strong selling category for spring, summer, and even on into fall. The rising cost of sterling silver will most likely influence consumers to purchase the 'look' of silver at more affordable retail prices. Historically the best all metal fashion jewelry is polished and very simple. What I am seeing for this season is a subtle hint of interesting details. Fine beading, engraved pattern, woven wire, and imagery are very good ways to define this category. In general 'critters' are popping up everywhere. Bees, birds, snakes, and butterflies are the most predominant images to emerge for spring.
The last important detail is to make sure that everything you design is authentic. Your designs should reflect your personal style, and stay true to the vision you have in your mind. Your passion for a particular look will be evident and that is what makes your collection unique. The way you speak about your jewelry, present your jewelry, and wear your jewelry, are the best way to sell your jewelry. In an industry with so much available authenticity is the key to success.

More Snow

Woke up this morning to more snow.  Believe me when I say that I am not complaining at all!  Growing up we maybe got snow once a year.  For the past 2 years we have gotten more snow than usual for where we live.  We took our dogs out for a walk this morning and I couldn't help but get ticked at lilly our beagle because she was digging like crazy.  Oscar, our wennie dog, could care less and wanted to go back into the house.  With all this snow, I will be busy at my work table today.  I am trying to get the February Class Schedule finished so maybe since i'm stuck indoors today I will put a good dent in it.  If you live in my area, I hope you enjoy the snow today.  If not have a blessed day.

Busy first week of 2011

7 days into the new year already?  Gosh it seems like time is flying!  I had a great break at Christmas and New Years but this first week of the year has been really busy.  There is a show coming up at the Visual Arts Guild that I am trying to get jewelry made for.  We sold a ton of jewelry at Christmas so on top of trying to get things made for this show I need to be working on Jewelry for the store too! But as they say, if theres not feast theres famine.

On another note, I started Weight Watchers on Tuesday.  Not because it was the first of the year but because I need to do something about my weight for my health and it just seemed like the right time.  I would say the hardest part so far has been giving up my sodas.  I hate to even admit this but I was drinking 6 to 8 Coke's a day.  And now on the Weight Watchers plan 8oz of Coke is 3 points so needless to say, i only allow myself to have one 8oz can of coke a day now.  I miss the taste of coke but most of all right now I miss the caffeine.  My body is screaming at me for some good caffeine and sugar. I just feel really blah this week so it has made getting my work done much harder.  I am on day 4 though so hopefully my withdraws won't last too much longer and I can get back to business as usual.

Happy New Year!

I spent most of the afternoon trying to change the look of my blog.  I though new year new look!  It is amazing that 2010 has already been and is gone.  I had a great time in 2010.  I threw a few suprise parties, made new friends, and made tons of great beaded projects.  It is my hope that 2011 will be as good as 2010. 

At the beginning of the year it is customary that people set up a list of Resolutions.  Well this year I am going to post a few goals that I would like to accomplish because if you set a goal, it makes it easier to keep the eye on the ball.  Plus, if i post it on here then I will be accountable to all who read this.

First, I would like to grow my online presence.  Meaning that I would like to keep up with the blog more adding great projects for everyone to try, and make more great videos to be uploaded on youtube.com. 

Second, I would like to be able to do more craft shows and get my store name out a little more.  This may come as a challenge though as I read today that by 2012 they are expecting gas to be up to $5.00 a gallon. That is so hard to believe because when I first started driving gas was .99 a gallon.  Inflation sucks!

And thirdly, I would like to strenghten my marriage to my husband.  The past few years have been a test for us and we have withstood the storm but I would like to grow my love for him and remember that he is my life partner and that I need to quite looking to others to find my happiness and I need to find it in him.

I hope that 2011 brings each of you lots of love, laughter, joy, money, and lots of great beading projects.