Online Selling Change Announcement

Many of you have experience with online selling.  I never tried Etsy, but I know a couple of people who tried it so I have a familiarity with how it works.  I ran across 1000 Markets about a year ago and tried it.  The photography and product descriptions are a lot more work than getting ready for a local craft show.  I was amazed at the time involvement and learning curve, but it was a good experience.

1000 Markets tried several approaches, giving up on the themed market approach, but closed the online doors altogether on September 30, 2010 and moved all the shops to Bonanza, the online shops not the TV western from the 1960's.  Many shop sellers also had stores on Etsy, so they were not greatly affected.  Some sellers went to Art Fire.  I am going to give Bonanza a try.

I learned many things from the experience.  Going forward, it may be better to have more than one online venue.  I decided to have one web site that I will always be in control of and there will place links to other active sites that may be more transient over time. 

So, the master web site for my work is www.laurelbrookjewelry.com.
There you will find the latest news and links, including a link to this blog, a link to the new Bonanza (formerly Bonanzle) online sales booth, and any other important links regarding my jewelry.  I am taking the opportunity of the new booth setup to add new products and update the earring photos.  Humming that coincidental Bonanza theme while I work!

2015 update:  For an updated seller review see this post online seller rankings on this site.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which I receive a few cents if you make purchases

Cutting Gemstones

A slight departure from making chains, yes.  But we do need occasional decoration on the chains and I needed a diversion, so I took a gem cutting class.  It is beyond my photography skills, but at least you can see from the first photo that the rough stone was very irregular in shape.  Even so, I was very pleased to finish up with a 6 carat, cut and polished, citrine stone.  The equipment used was an Ultra Tec to make the facet cuts.


The first photo is the rough, uncut stone from the underside. The stone is held onto a mandrel with wax.  Yes, it is out of focus but it is the best photo I took that day, so it is the only record of the original shape. 


The second photo is also the underside of the stone, after the first series of cuts, so it is starting to take shape.  You can also see the Ultra Tec, including the cutting surface in the lower left of the second photo.  The stone is on an arm that can be positioned at any angle on the cutting surface.


The third photo is the top side of the gem after the final cut.  The fourth photo is the finished stone.  It really is 6 carats and the color is rich.  I did not alter the photos.

Gold Ancient Chain Making

Image via Wikipedia

Yes, the "Loop in Loop" ancient technique can be made in GOLD.  In fact, it was more commonly made in gold in ancient times.  We make chains in silver today because it is less expensive to use during the learning process.  Gold is attempted when an individual becomes more confident in his or her skills. 

I found two things today.  First,  the loop in loop and chain making process are far more popular today than 2009 when I started this blog.  That is based on a google search revealing 2 full pages whereas there were 3 hits when I started!

Second, I found an awesome one page illustration of the complete process of making a gold ancient chain necklace.  It is a MUST see link!   http://reherbakeryproject.org/necklace_flyer.pdf
Be patient to allow loading after you click this link.  It is a 3 MB file, but it is worth it.

2015 Update -- I don't know what happened to that resource, but here is a good online explanation with photos of the ancient gold chain making process.  http://www.patrickburt.net/archive.php?ID=4

Modern Silver Fused Chain

I had the pleasure of taking a fine silver fused chain  class from Lisa Claxton to produce this stylish bracelet.  It was great fun and I learned a new technique, fusing with a micro butane torch!  It took more time, but I had far less scrap silver.

This bracelet has two textured, flat rings joined by a single slightly hammered ring.  All rings have been fused closed.

Jewelry Photography

Image via Wikipedia

There is good reason why I didn't post more photos of the finished jewelry from the class.  I am almost ashamed to admit how many bad digital photos of jewelry I have taken.  In self-teaching mode, I practiced, read, and looked at others' photos.  Several breakthroughs happened where my quality improved.  One was when I truly understood all the buttons and screen menu options of my camera by (gasp!) reading the manual. 

The second aha moment happened when I unplugged my laptop and the backlight dimmed.  My photos suddenly darkened.  I then tried the same photos on different monitors at home and work and on friends' computer screens.  Every monitor has a different brightness level.  I still have not seen any discussion of monitor brightness effect on digital photos online.  Is there a standard?  Most monitors can be adjusted but I would not expect a prospective buyer to fiddle with her monitor to see my photo clearly!  My HP Pavilion DV6-1354US 15.6-Inch Black Laptop - Up to 4 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium)laptop screen is vastly brighter when powered by AC than by the battery.  Now that I know, I simply adjust for it by viewing my photos on a desktop monitor. 

In the spirit of sharing, I want to point you to two links that will be very helpful if you are a beginner or even if you are still acheiving perfection in this arena.  I've read highly technical digests on the subject, looked at expensive equipment and software.   Today, I found a site that explains very simply how her photos are taken, proving the KISS method works, and I think with excellent results.  I want to share it with you.  http://pzdesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/tutorial%3A%20photographing%20jewelry

I use a simple Canon PowerShot S410 4MP Digital Elph with 3x Optical Zoomdigital camera, free software, and I admit that I still struggle with light because I don't have access to daylight very often.

Here is the free and easy photo editing software website. You upload your photo, edit it while online and then save it to your computer.   http://www.picnik.com/

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which I receive a few cents if you make purchases.

The Loop in Loop Chain Book and Tools

Clear and precise instructions can make the learning experience enjoyable because the work will result in a final, visually pleasing, product. I cannot say enough about this book, Classical Loop-in-loop Chains and Their Derivatives (Jewellery), for the ancient chain making student.  All the dimensions and quantities are worked out so that materials can be ordered with confidence.  The motions to make the chain components are clearly explained step by step with accompanying photos.

                                                   


I recommend the ergonomic Beadsmith Plier set pictured here if you are new to jewelry making or if you need a convenient travel set of pliers.  These are great for the road or for classes and are a good value plus there is a travel case.  If you are an old pro, why not leave your high priced pliers at home?

Reminder to new students purchasing the book.  This is NOT chainmaille.  You will need a torch, a hot flame, to fuse the fine silver.  I have only used one type so I cannot make recommendations.  Please comment on the types you have used and we will start to accumulate a list of acceptable torches and fuels. 
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which I receive a few cents if you make purchases.