There are many people who love to design and make jewelry. Perhaps your love affair with jewelry began as a child, playing with your mother’s sparkling necklaces or your father’s shiny cuff links and tie bars. If your goal is to make jewelry for yourself, then you have nothing to worry about—just purchase materials that speak to you and your sense of style. Whether you’re drawn to earth colors or metallic shades or jewel tones, you’ll be able to follow your own lead and create what you know will look good on you.
But what if you decide to sell your jewelry designs to others? Not everyone has your particular sense of style or taste. Should you ignore your personal preferences and go in another direction?
First, decide on your audience. Imagine who will be wearing your jewelry, and for what occasions.
- Day or night?
- Casual or formal?
- Everyday or special occasions?
- Necklaces, rings, bracelets, or brooches—or a combination?
- Women or men—or both?
- Conservative or edgy and artistic?
- Small scale or oversized?
- Colorful or monochromatic? One colorway or multiple?
- Young client or mature client?
- Expensive or inexpensive—or moderately priced?
- With or without precious and semi-precious stones?
- What design inspirations and themes will you incorporate?
Ask yourself these questions and more as you begin to seriously consider your jewelry making direction. Is the mature woman in the photograph your target customer? This woman likes bright colors, bold patterns, chunky, oversized pieces, and artistic jewelry that make a statement. She’s over 60, and someone who uses jewelry to define her personality and accentuate her natural beauty. Her accessories are almost as important as her clothing choices. They definitely complete her look.
Or perhaps your target customer is a young man going off to college or starting a first job in his early twenties. He’s casual, artistic, and a renegade. He fancies leather bracelets and chokers, each with a signature bead.
Follow your instincts, do some market research, and be aware of your personal preferences as you set out on your own unique design path.
Learn how to design jewelry with New York Institute of Art and Design’s Jewelry Design Course, specializing in teaching you beading and wire-working techniques, and finding your ultimate audience.
