Beauty Wire Rings DVD

Rings are great to make because they are smaller jewelry projects than something like a necklace or bracelet, and therefor normally take less time and materials. That may be what went through Sharilyn Miller’s mind when she thought to create her DVD ring workshop, Rings of Beauty ($29.95). The DVD is 150 minutes long and covers tools needed (such as a metal ring mandrel and stand), reaming bead holes, resizing rings, polishing and antiquing wire, and of course, 8 ring projects with possible variations.

Sharilyn talks you through as well as demonstrates techniques and projects. One issue I’ve always had with making wire rings is sizing, so I liked how she showed how to properly use the ring mandrel and then also provided some instruction on resizing. This always seem to be a concern with rings more so than most other types of jewelry.

If you’ve wanted to expand your jewelry skills and start making more rings, this DVD is a great way to learn. Obviously, you’ll see that she’s a major pro when it comes to working with wire, but there really is a range of skill level in the ring designs she demonstrates. For example, her pearl wraparound ring, would be a good beginner project, and because you can use all kinds of different beads, you can make a large variety of rings using this same design.

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Social Networking for Jewelry Designers?

So, I’m already convinced that weblogging is a great way to promote yourself as a jewelry designer. I talk about that in Promoting Your Jewelry Business via Blogs. I also keep a fairly good size list of jewelry webloggers here. But now there is something else on the Internet that I’m checking into that may have some additional benefits to jewelry designers – social networking.


A social network is made up of a group of people who connect to one another and normally have some kind of common interest. You may even be a member of a social network now such as LinkedIn, Myspace, Ning, or Facebook. There are tons of other social networks on the web, and there are many different reasons to join them. But, what about using one to promote your jewelry business? I’m researching this right now, and I’m interested to hear from anyone who has done this already, so feel free to leave a comment about it.


For those who want more information about social networking, here are a few articles I found around the web:



Crossing the Social Network Chasm
Leveraging Social Networking Sites to Generate Business
4 Social Networking Tips for Bloggers (a video)
How to Use Social Networking for Business
Social Networking in Plain English (a video)

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Getting “Lost” in Everything

It’s shameful. Here I am taking up valuable property on the Blogosphere, and I’m not even keeping up with my duties.

Hah!

Ok, I could complain about my homework [AGAIN]. Or I could complain about having to spend the major portion of a holiday weekend helping my daughter write the research portion of her science project [AGAIN]. Or I could complain about the pressure of having to work to build up my inventory now that I’m in an art gallery. [AGAIN]

Now would fun would that be?

In between all the things I’ve been doing that I won’t complain about again [and catching up on the 3rd season of "Lost"], I took a few pix of some of the things I’ve made, and I’ve got more pictures that I need to take.

“Goldenrod”
“Gypsy Water”
“Gypsy Fire”
“Gypsy Earth”

Time to go visiting on the Blogosphere. Take care!

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

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The Store Is OPEN!!!

I am totally freaked out and totally happy.

My pictures are too blurry. I dont have everything up yet. And I am nervous…

www.bubblybaubles.etsy.com

Here is my favorite piece…

I have a million things that I haven’t finished on my bench… AAACK

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