Jewelry Making Design Tips

by Judy Ellis

Having a hard time coming up with original, creative ideas? Here are some good tips for expanding your mind and creativity.

Instructions

Observe Nature
Having a hard time coming up with original, creative ideas? Observe nature.

Nature has been a source for jewelry design for thousands of years-Egyptian, Medieval, and Baroque, Art Nouveau and more! Inspiration for shape, color, line, and texture can inevitably transpire for your next jewelry piece when studying nature.

You could find a color scheme from a breathtaking sunset, or perhaps a shape outline from the thorns of your rosebush.

Trees, birds, animals, insects, the ocean, mountains, the stars, moon, and sun! The possibilities are endless.

Jewelry design is truly an art form-think of it as such.

Nouveau Flourite
Created by Rhonda Chase: "While in Italy I was deeply inspired by magnificent art nouveau buildings from the early 1900's.

There were many botanical patterns, which led me to design this art nouveau flower pendant.

Nouveau Flourite is a play on words, combining the art style and the gemstone, and sounding like "nouveau fleur" which means "new flower" in French"

Judy Ellis's Jewelry Making Design Tips - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, Nouveau Flourite

Don't be afraid to experiment

You don't have to follow any rule.

Just because a pattern says to do something a certain way doesn't mean you have to. Play around and have fun. You might just surprise yourself with what you create.

There are no limits in design and jewelry making.

Experiment with new tools, new beads, and new ideas.

Do not be afraid of failure.

Do not become your worst critic.

Imagine freely. Take pleasure in your creativity. Try to reach beyond what you think you're capable of.

Judy Ellis's Jewelry Making Design Tips - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, Venetian Glass Beads

Judy Ellis's Jewelry Making Design Tips - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, Gemstone Beads

Study History

Study history? What does that have to do with jewelry design?

A lot.

Fashion has proven that old trends often return to style. Many well-known jewelry designers draw inspiration from historical pieces.

It's also worth exploring historic and religious symbols like the Celtic knot, Egyptian cartouche and ankh, Christian cross, Irish Claddagh, Star of David, European torc, Hamsa hand, Chinese dragons, and phoenixes.

Studying the history of jewelry reveals how trends reflected a country's social, cultural, economic, and political climate.

Fine example of ancient Egyptian use of lapis. (J. Bodsworth)