This new Rio Jeweler blog series explores some of the stories from the #RioJeweler community. #RioJeweler is a way for jewelers to share moments from the bench on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Designers from around the world use the hashtag to chronicle their stories, their work and their lives as jewelers. We couldn’t be more amazed […]
Ana Cavalheiro pondered exposing the space behind the jeweler for years. Something about the creative area where a person’s inspiration comes to life compelled her—it stuck in her mind. But, as a busy jeweler herself, she couldn’t find the time to get the concept down on paper, or rather, up online. She finally launched SpaceUnseen.com […]
These days you need written words for almost every aspect of your business: to tell the story of why you started making jewelry on your website, to share the inspiration for a new bracelet, to articulate your design philosophy, to craft a post on Facebook, to pen descriptions on Etsy, and the list goes on and on. In this latest Business Know-How post, Marlene Richey explains that improving your writing skills just a little can have big payoffs.
What place does hand-rendering your designs have in a jeweler’s process? Can putting pencil to paper really benefit a jeweler in the digital age? Jewelry designer Rémy Rotenier believes that hand-drawn designs help jewelers and designers connect with clients, plot out new designs, and encourage sales in retail settings. He has taught the art of hand-rendering jewelry for years and now, thanks to his new two-course instructional DVD series, you can learn from him too!
Today’s “Influencers in Jewelry Design” post continues a series by Marlene Richey that celebrates the most influential and important shapers of contemporary jewelry design. This time, Marlene spotlights metalsmith, master enamelist, and renaissance woman Linda Darty. Linda has played a pivotal role in advocating on behalf of the integrity and versatility of the art form of enameling. Take a look at her story and then tell us how Linda’s work has influenced you. Join the conversation—we want to hear your jewelry Influencer stories!
Jayne Redman’s new class at Rio Grande’s 2015 Winter Workshop, held January 25–30, is Making Multiples: Blanking Dies and Pattern Development. During the class, Jayne will teach students the process of making and using a blanking die from start to finish, in the process teaching them how to save countless precious hours they would otherwise spend individually sawing components.
Have you signed up for Rio’s annual Winter Workshop yet? Get to know John Sartin, who will be teaching a two-day intensive on textures and treatments that will enrich your designs and expand your conceptions of jewelry. This class is a must for beginning metalsmiths!
Today’s “Influencers in Jewelry Design” post continues a series by Marlene Richey that celebrates the most influential and important shapers of contemporary jewelry design. This time, Marlene spotlights the extraordinary talent and groundbreaking contributions of George Sawyer. George was the first to bring gold mokumé gane to the market as jewelry and the first to use precious metals in his patterning. How has George’s work influenced you? Join the conversation—we want to hear your jewelry Influencer stories!
A jeweler in West Africa will typically own a hammer, pliers or tweezers, and a few other odds and ends that they keep in a hand-made toolbox. Since The Studio’s initial post about the Toolbox Initiative—a project that aims to provide West African jewelers with commercial tools and materials that are rarely available to them—Tim McCreight and Matthieu Cheminée have received donations of hundreds of tools and several ounces of silver to support the project. Read on to learn a little more about these skilled metalsmiths and to make a donation to this fantastic project.
What inspires you these days? What materials have you been experimenting with? Nearly every month we present you with another “What are You Working on Now?” contest, in which we invite readers to submit a picture or two and a description of what’s on their bench right now. Well, this month’s winner, Beth Beck, has won a $20 Rio credit, and December’s contest has officially begun—show us your stuff for a chance to win!
Christi Anderson and Anna Mazon were winners in the Metal Clay category of the of the 2014 Saul Bell Design Award and I recently had the good fortune of getting to know each of them a bit better. Read on to hear the stories behind these talented artists. Then begin thinking about what you’ll create for the 2016 Saul Bell Design Award competition!
Today’s “Influencers in Jewelry Design” post continues a series by Marlene Richey that celebrates the most influential and important shapers of contemporary jewelry design. This time, Marlene spotlights the lasting impact of Alexander Calder and The Bauhaus, both of whom have had a far-reaching influence on industrial design, fine art, and jewelry making for decades. How have these design greats influenced you? Join the conversation—we want to hear your jewelry Influencer stories!
In the previous three parts of my series on Designing a Jewelry Collection, I've talked about what a collection is, design principles, designing for your customer and the … [Read More...] about Designing a Collection part 4
Manhattan jewelry designer and entrepreneur Sandy Baker is the owner and creative force behind Sandy Baker Art Collection. She claims she has been in the business for … [Read More...] about Influencers in Jewelry Design: Sandy Baker
