Jewelery Design is a complex mix of skills that must be learned and applied in order to create a successful piece of jewelry. The seven basic principles of jewelry design-balance, proportion, contrast, unity, harmony, movement, and emphasis-are essential for all jewelers to master in order to create pieces that captivate their customers.
As with any craft, there are a few different schools of makers: those who dive right in with a hammer and those who prefer to take the time to think about their work. Helen, a jewelry maker, is in the latter camp and believes that her sketching is just as important as the physical act of creating. Sketching allows her to get all of the moving, spinning thoughts in her head down on paper, so that they can be clearly understood and executed.
3D CAD software is an excellent tool for jewelry designers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create detailed designs. Blender is a popular, open-source solution with advanced modeling and sculpting tools. It also has a built-in render engine that produces lifelike images of jewelry designs. Rhino is another popular choice among jewelry designers, as it offers a variety of specialized tools for creating complex shapes and textures. This software is available for both Windows and MacOS.
Working with a group of fellow jewelers can be helpful to improve your own designs. By sharing photos of new pieces, you can see how others perceive them and offer feedback on your own work. For example, you might start an informal “mastermind” group with a few other jewelry artists. Each person takes a photo of their latest creation and shares it with the rest of the group via email or Flickr. This can be a great way to brainstorm naming ideas for your jewelry, as well as getting a fresh perspective on your own pieces.
Using unusual materials can elevate your jewelry designs and set you apart from other jewelers. Try incorporating leather, feathers, or even fabric into your designs to give them an eclectic, unique look. You could even use natural elements like sand or wood to add texture and depth to your pieces.
One of the best ways to push your creative boundaries is to collaborate with other artists, such as painters or sculptors. This can help you tap into new creative ideas and inspire you to try bold styles that you might not have considered otherwise. For example, working with a painter to incorporate their artwork into your jewelry can result in truly original and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Many jewelry designers have a strong affinity for specific styles, and this can help guide their work. For instance, some jewelers are known for their rich interpretations of antique gypsy-style rings, in which stones are almost flush-set with the metal. Other designers may be influenced by more contemporary trends, such as the softer lines that have taken hold in home decor and furniture design in recent years.
