Jewelry Blog

There are two kinds of celebrity jewelry, what celebs wear to premiers and high-profile events and what they wear when they’re on their own or going to less-visible destinations. Those high-profile pics, where celebrities are sometimes draped in millions of dollars of jewelry, are fun to look at, but the ensembles are often put together by a professional stylist using borrowed jewelry and fashions. The stars look spectacular, that’s the idea, but what they’re wearing doesn’t always reflect their true tastes or their budgets. Catch them when they’re shopping or off to a small gathering if you want to see what they wear when the choice is all theirs. That’s when celebrities set trends.

_{Photo of Miley Cyrus © Michael Buckner / Getty Images}?

No matter what type of business you have, whether it’s art related or not, it is important to have a plan of action. This may seem like common sense, but many of us have it “up here” in our heads and never take the time to write it down on paper, and for the most part the act of writing down what you plan to do with your business constitutes a “business plan.” It’s a term I’ve read about in numerous business related publications, but really, it’s just like a written down outline of what you plan to do.

Most businesses update their plans yearly, and it’s a good way to look back and see if you have reached any of the goals you set for yourself and examine what worked for you and what didn’t. If you ever get to the point that you want to apply for financial assistance for your business, most financial institutions may ask to review your plan as well.

One source for writing a business plan that I have found very helpful is from a book entitled Homemade Money by Barbara Brabec. It provides step-by-step instructions about how to put a plan together. Some of the areas she suggests you include are your business history, a definition of your business, your background and qualifications, and what you plan to manufacture. You can find this book in most libraries, bookstores, and also on her web site.

So, take the time to plan for the future of your jewelry business. It doesn’t matter if you are into beading, wire wrapping, metal work, or selling shoes, every business needs to have a plan of action.

Because of the rising cost of metals such as gold and silver, many jewelry makers are looking for alterntive metals as possible subtitutes. Copper and brass both have been growing in popularity due to the cost savings. Copper tends to have a nice earthy look to it while brass has a yellow color that at least suggest the idea of gold to some extent. If you are considering trying to use copper or brass in some of your own jewelry designs, here are a few sources and resources for you to check out.

Monsterslayer carries a number of solid copper findings including crimp beads, crimp covers, beads, and head pins.

Ornametea has lots of different copper and brass findings as well as chains and also plated wires.

MiMi’s Gems carries both regular and antique copper crimp beads as well as other findings.

Then, of course, there’s Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

Finedings has copper chain and findings.

Ifyou need copper or brass wire, check out Wire-Sculpture.com and Rio Grande.

Brass wire is also available at WigJig.com.