Handmade Jewelry - why buy directly from the jewelry artist?

Jasper Charm Necklace
For more information click here

Pearl and multi-gem bracelet

For more information click here

When it comes to buying handmade jewelry, you as a shopper have several options. You can go to a jewelry store, a gallery, a boutique, an art or craft show, or you can shop on line.

The advantage of seeing your item in person is that you can inspect the jewelry and try it on. This is no small thing. However, if you buy your handmade jewelry in a store, the store owner may or may not be knowledgeable about the item you're interested in. They also may or may not offer you a refund or exchange if you change your mind. This, unfortunately, is not uncommon.

When you buy your jewelry directly from the artist, be it on line or at an art or crafts show, you have the advantage of buying your piece of art from the person who knows it best - the person who created it. Most jewelry artists take great pride in their work and want to sell the best.

One of the greatest advantages of buying on line is price. When jewelry is sold on consignment in a gallery or in a store, the store owner almost always marks the jewelry up 100 percent. The owner has his costs, after all.

The self representing jewelry artist selling jewelry on line has less overhead. It's not cheap, and it's a lot of work creating, maintaining and marketing a successful web site, but the "rent" is much less expensive than a brick and mortar store. This means that the savings is passed on to you. In most cases, jewelry is much less expensive when you buy it directly from the artist.

I know I do my best to take accurate pictures and accurately describe my jewelry. I want my customers to be 100% satisfied with their purchase.

More and more business takes place on the internet. I have no statistics, but the increase over the last five to ten years has been tremendous! And one great advantage is value. You simply get more for your money on line. So, to save a lot of money on great handmade jewelry, click here.

Copyright 2010
Any copying or reproduction of this article is prohibited except with permission of the author.

Happy Father's Day to every father, with gratitude and appreciation!!

There is no job in the world more important than being a good parent!!

Big Sur, California
Click picture to enlarge

Goopi and his rubber chicken

"Do I look excited?"

For much of my life I wanted a rubber chicken. The kind you buy in gag stores and give to someone as a gift, or toss at someone at a party like they did in the old-time comedy shows. Kind of like a pie in the face, but not as messy.

I did get the pie in the face in grad school. Everyone was in on it except me, of course. Just as my friend was tossing the pie I turned my head so I didn't get it right in the kisser. I always thought a pie in the face would be funny, and of course taste good. I didn't get to taste much, but it was funny.

Life went on, I forgot about the rubber chicken. Saturday Rob went to the feed and pet store and came home with a rubber chicken for Goopi. Ah - my dream finally came true - kind of. I didn't get the rubber chicken, but my dog did. I was so happy. Dogs seem to know when something is for them, or maybe they think everything is for them. But Goopi was quite excited, especially since this rubber chicken squeaks. He likes squeaky toys. He chewed on it a little, grabbed it from us when we offered it to him and even pranced around with it.

Goopi's excitement didn't last long. By Sunday, when we decided to take a picture of him and his rubber chicken, he wanted no part of it. "Ick - get that thing away from me!" he said. So here he is, disdainfully eying that which had made him so happy the day before.

That's a dog for ya!

Handmade gemstone jewelry - new items added to my web site!

Turquoise pendant necklace with leather

Leather and silver bracelet

I've added several new items to my web site, including jewelry made with leather. I worked with leather a long time ago. Some friends had a leather shop on Union Street in San Francisco. I used to go there and make things. It was really fun.

We have many more new things, so don't be shy - come in and look around!

Coral briolettes necklace

We also have several summer necklaces made with wonderful materials. Great for special occasions or every day.

And don't forget to check out the fluorite and Thai Hill Tribe silver necklace lower on this page. The materials are to die for - and I don't say that about much!

Handmade gemstone jewelry - bead shapes - a primer - rondelles and barrel shapes

Turquoise necklace with flower sugilite
and gaspeite rondelles

Rondelle is another basic gemstone bead shape. Basically a rondelle is saucer shaped. Rondelles can be flat or plump (the rondelles above are plump), faceted or unfaceted. They're nice to use because they're quite versatile and blend nicely with other bead shapes. They of course can be used as the only shape in a piece of jewelry as well.

Snake River agate and barrel
shaped coral-necklace

Barrel shaped beads are, - ta da - shaped like a barrel. The term also refers to beads that are cylindrical and not tapered at the ends. Like all shapes, barrel shaped beads are great as the only shape bead in a piece, as in the above necklace, or to add variety in pieces of jewelry that have many gemstone shapes.