Confession #10: I like Silpada

I never thought I'd say this but I am considering representing someone else's jewelry.  I was recently introduced to Silpada by a friend who is a rep.  She was just giving me ideas on how to increase my business with home parties, but the moment I saw the jewelry I was in love.  Much of it is the same concept that I use, all natural stones and pearls with silver accents.  They use some other beads too, but they really make it work.  I really didn't expect to like it as much as I do.  A lot of the pieces are ones that I either wish I had made, could make or don't have the skills or resources to make.  

My friend's site is mysilpada.com/sara.lilly.  Check it out, although it looks like I will have my own site soon!  I really didn't anticipate doing something like this, but I do feel that I have a unique background for going into this company.  I still intend to keep making my "Creations by Molly", we all know that I couldn't stop if I wanted to!  Please check out the Silpada site, let me know what you think.  And if you'd like to find out how to get some of that lovely Bling for free, drop me an e-mail.

Confession #9: Talking about jewelry is like dancing about architecture...

That was really a line from a movie called Playing by Heart. The line is talking about love is like dancing about architecture, but you get the idea. There is a certain point beyond which I just don't know what to say. I can talk about how I design and what I like all day, but if you are in aspiring jewelry designer, you gotta find your own way.

I did meet another jewelry designer, but she is what I would call a "jeweler". She makes fine rings that are truly stunning. She does mostly custom work and it is very different from everything I do, but we talk stones and it's nice. I really like her work, if you want to see her site it is: www.evelynH.com. It's nice to check out designers that make something that is nothing like what I make because it causes my mind to bend and shape and come up with new ideas for my own work.

I don't know about you, but I find that I need inspiration. I can't always just sit and start to work. I did see a really great piece that I want to do my version of on an old episode of Ghost Whisperer. It will be very expensive, but I think it will come out nice. I think it's okay to be inspired by another designer's work, out and out copying is actually pretty hard to do, but it's definitely a no-no. Anyway, enough dancing about architecture...

Confession #8: I'm in it for the money

I know what I said before about not being in it for the money. This is my career, of course I'm in it for the money. That's not the only reason I do this, but to make a living with what brings you joy you have to also be in it to make money! To all aspiring jewelry designers I offer this advice, make things that you know will sell. Or at the very least know your market. I sell mostly to people like me, my friends and my family because that's the tastes I know. I make things that remind me of people in my life, not because I intend to give them to that person, although that has happened, but because they are what my clientele are like.

It's okay to want to make money from making art. Jewelry making is a business and it isn't just about what is pretty.