Stunning Jewelry -- Now How Was it Made?

Jewelry Discussion
21 
I do not start production until the pieces sell. Everything is
handmade in production--- made to order. I make the original and
then a mold and enough castings for my samples. Then, when I take
a wholesale order for a piece it goes into production. I wouldn't
make 100 of something before taking orders for it.

Thanks. This is really good advice. How many samples do you have
made up? I thought that this might be how some artisans decide on
what to produce. Also, how expensive would it be to produce a mold
and samples for a chandelier earring that I have designed – it is
not very thick – quite thin actually – and would not be more than
1.5 inches long. I know that prices vary widely but I am just
wondering how much of a financial investment in a chandelier mold
and samples. I know that some of you say that prices vary widely,
but for those of you who might have a ballpark figure, I’d be
grateful. Also would love to know if there is anything I can do
myself. One of you mentioned that you started out carving at home. I
would not mind doing that if it would save some money as opposed to
have someone else do that for me. I think that I have enough space
for carving materials and wax.

22

Augest,

Thanks so much for your input and encouragment! It is very kind of
you! I also understand how you feel about mass produced items, it is
just that my wire wrapped pieces take a ton of time and I working
completely alone. I would be able to make a ton more of them (for me
a ton more is several hundred as opposed to dozens) if I could just
design a finding based on my current design. I have bought two books
that people have recommended and would LOVE to take the FIT classes,
I have taken other design classes there in the past and they are
great and SO cheap if you are a NYS resident, but I think that they
might have already started. So if you or any other people on the
board have advice about New York area classes that are affordable,
I’d be grateful. Thanks a ton.

23

What great advice. I have been reading this email about mass
production, since I have been considering it too, and your response
is very inspirational. Good luck to you. Thanks,

Pouneh

24

I think, in regards to wondering whether my things will sell, there
is a formula for every market. But the bottom line is, like David
Popham said, make what you are driven to make. Work in the passion.

Follow the formula for your market (mid-price, lower-price, some of
each, etc.), but the passion shows in the things you love to make,
and that speaks to people. To me that’s what it’s all about.

V.

25

I find that if a piece does not sell after two years, put the price
up by one third and it will sell, bet you.

Sam