Are you a jewelry artisan looking for new markets for your handmade jewelry business? If so, don't overlook the potential for marketing your jewelry in an office setting. Even if you don't work in an office, you can still harness the potential of this lucrative market. Do you have friends and family who work in offices? If so, why not have them be your "handmade jewelry rep". Here's how to get started:1. Take a shallow box that has a top and line the inside of both the top and the box with black velvet. Line the outside of the box with some beautiful fabric.2. Find a friend or family member who works in an office that has a lot of female workers. Ask your friend if she'd like to earn some extra money and free jewelry by showing your jewelry at her job site. Let he know you'll provide her with everything she needs.3. If she agrees, offer to give her 20% commission on any item she sells at work from your collection. You can also offer her a free pair of earrings if she sells a certain amount of jewelry.4. Label the handmade jewelry that you wish to sell .. more »

Gas prices crack the $4.00 mark and many fashion retailers feel concern about how the economy will impact business. There's no crystal ball to the future, but historical information through the lens of a jewelry wholesaler may provide surprising encouragement.Let's begin with the recession of 1980 to 1982. The Iranian revolution led to erratic oil production and rises in gas prices. This was before the internet gave worldwide exposure to local businesses and our lens focuses from South Louisiana, which was in boom times because of offshore drilling. The recession hit South Louisiana in 1983 with the oil bust when price per barrel tumbled. Oil dependent cities saw 20% to 25% unemployment, equivalent to The Great Depression.The following January, only a few months later, twist beads became a fad and retailers experienced a buying frenzy unequaled by anything before or after. Women would rush to retailers on their lunch hour and spend $60 to $80 getting more colors and textures to create this hot new look. Remember, all of this is shortly after the oil bust that devastated the area.Fashion jewelry and accessories saw steady growth from this point. The next recession struck in 1990 to 1991 with a decrease .. more »

Filigree Sterling Silver Jewelry History Part IIDefinitionn. Filigree /filligree/:From the Latin 'Filum', meaning 'Thread', and 'Granum' meaning 'Seed'. Filigree is the art of curling, twisting and plaiting fine pliable threads of precious metals, and uniting them at their points of contact by means of gold or Silver solder.IntroductionPerfected over millennia, incorporating the ancient techniques and styles of vanished civilizations, Filigree is without a doubt one of the oldest and most beautiful art forms known to man.Unlike the mass of jewelry produced today Filigree jewelry is totally handcrafted, calling for hours of concentration on the part of its maker. The knowledge behind Filigree's meticulous creation, passed down from generation to generation, remains a closely guarded secret kept in the hands of lapidary masters stretching from the islands of the Mediterranean sea to the shores of East India.The Celts And FiligreeAfter a long absence, Filigree reestablished itself in northern Europe with the Saxons, Britons and Celts who were from an early period extremely skilful in several kinds of jewelry metalwork. In fact, the Celtic jewelry perfected between the 10th and 11th Centuries in Ireland displays more thought in its design and intricate patterns than any other period in Filigree's history. Two examples .. more »

Did it ever happen to you that you wake up in the morning and go to your closet and just feel bored of your choices? Perhaps you have not gone shopping in a while because work is keeping you busy or maybe a new wardrobe is just not fitting your budget right now. An excellent and low cost solution is to purchase some costume Jewelry. Many items of clothing can be jazzed up with some funky looking jewelry.There are many choices, styles and materials that would work with different colors and styles of clothing. For example if you would want to purchase a necklace to wear with your plain black sweater. You could go with a necklace made of beads that come in a variety of shapes and colors. If that doesn't work you can find hanging pearls with colored stones. You can also find different sized necklaces to go with your clothes needs. For example if you have a lower cut blouse maybe you would want a choker, or you may want a long necklace for a turtleneck.Earrings are also another example of an accessory that adds a lot to the personality of your clothing. The choices are endless .. more »