vintage costume jewellery

I am a full grown woman living with her parents, what do you do when your mother is getting on your nerves about a jewelry business of which you believe is going nowhere and constantly talks about what others are doing with life. "Why can’t I just get away from this?

Get a job and an apartment and move out. If you can’t get along with her then you need to move out.

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http://www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk/5mm-gold-plated-open-jump-rings—bag-of-30-2990-p.asp

I’m wanting to know what pliers I need to open and close the links on these
http://www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk/jewellery-making-tools-277-c.asp

I have round nosed pliers (used to make the end of the head/eye pins round) and a pair of the thin nosed pliers. I use both pairs to open the jumprings. I would suggest this method else you will end up with no nails.

I bought a starter kit from e-bay, got all the tools I needed in it was very reasonable as well.

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Where can I find relatively cheap vintage jewelry and/or beads and jewelry/art supplies in Tucson, Arizona? I’m interested in making my own jewelry and refurbishing vintage finds but I’m just not sure where to look. I know of a few bead shops but they don’t really suit my needs and are rather expensive. Does anyone know of any good places or thrift stores to find unique pieces?
I like How Sweet It Was but since I go there a lot it’s somewhat boring to me. Thank you though
Razzle Dazzle
(520) 323-4544 - 1918 E Prince Rd, Tucson, AZ

www.howsweetitwas.com

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i need this for science class, why is gold and silver used to make jewellery?

This is simple..
1. silver and gold are very soft metals and can be moulded into different shapes
2. they are very pure forms of metals so there are very little impurities
3. They are not very reactive in open atmosphere i.e almost inert metals

Gold usage in jewellery
Because of the softness of pure (24k) gold, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewelry, altering its hardness and ductility, melting point, color and other properties. Alloys with lower caratage, typically 22k, 18k, 14k or 10k, contain higher percentages of copper, or other base metals or silver or palladium in the alloy. Copper is the most commonly used base metal, yielding a redder color. Eighteen carat gold containing 25% copper is found in antique and Russian jewelry and has a distinct, though not dominant, copper cast, creating rose gold. Fourteen carat gold-copper alloy is nearly identical in color to certain bronze alloys, and both may be used to produce police, as well as other, badges. Blue gold can be made by alloying with iron and purple gold can be made by alloying with aluminium, although rarely done except in specialized jewelry. Blue gold is more brittle and therefore more difficult to work with when making jewelry. Fourteen and eighteen carat gold alloys with silver alone appear greenish-yellow and are referred to as green gold. White gold alloys can be made with palladium or nickel. White 18 carat gold containing 17.3% nickel, 5.5% zinc and 2.2% copper is silver in appearance. Nickel is toxic, however, and its release from nickel white gold is controlled by legislation in Europe. Alternative white gold alloys are available based on palladium, silver and other white metals (World Gold Council), but the palladium alloys are more expensive than those using nickel. High-carat white gold alloys are far more resistant to corrosion than are either pure silver or sterling silver. The Japanese craft of Mokume-gane exploits the color contrasts between laminated colored gold alloys to produce decorative wood-grain effects.

Silver use in jewellery :
Jewellery and silverware are traditionally made from sterling silver (standard silver), an alloy of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. In the US, only an alloy consisting of at least 92.5% fine silver can be marketed as "silver". Sterling silver is harder than pure silver, and has a lower melting point (893 °C) than either pure silver or pure copper.[6] Britannia silver is an alternative hallmark-quality standard containing 95.8% silver, often used to make silver tableware and wrought plate. With the addition of germanium, the patented modified alloy Argentium Sterling Silver is formed, with improved properties including resistance to firescale.
Sterling silver jewelry is often plated with a thin coat of .999 fine silver to give the item a shiny finish. This process is called "flashing". Silver jewelry can also be plated with rhodium (for a bright, shiny look) or gold.
Silver is a constituent of almost all colored carat gold alloys and carat gold solders, giving the alloys paler color and greater hardness.[14] White 9 carat gold contains 62.5% silver and 37.5% gold, while 22 carat gold contains up to 8.4% silver or 8.4% copper.[14]
Historically the training and guild organization of goldsmiths included silversmiths as well, and the two crafts remain largely overlapping. Unlike blacksmiths, silversmiths do not shape the metal while it is red-hot but instead, work it at room temperature with gentle and carefully placed hammerblows. The essence of silversmithing is to take a flat piece of metal and by means of different hammers, stakes and other simple tools, to transform it into a useful object.[15]
While silversmiths specialize in, and principally work, silver, they also work with other metals such as gold, copper, steel, and brass. They make jewellery, silverware, armour, vases, and other artistic items. Because silver is such a malleable metal, silversmiths have a large range of choices with how they prefer to work the metal. Historically, silversmiths are mostly referred to as goldsmiths, which was usually the same guild. In the western Canadian silversmith tradition, guilds do not exist; however, mentoring through colleagues becomes a method of professional learning within a community of craftspeople.[16]
Silver is cheaper than gold, though still valuable, and so is very popular with jewelers who are just starting out and cannot afford to make pieces in gold, or as a practicing material for goldsmith apprentices. Silver has also become very fashionable, and is used frequently in more artistic jewellery pieces.
Traditionally silversmiths mostly made "silverware" (cutlery, table flatware, bowls, candlesticks and such). Only in more recent times has silversmithing become mainly work in jewellery, as much less solid silver tableware is now handmade.
Silver is used for awards medals, denoting second place. Some high-end musical instruments are made from sterling silv

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how can i be successful selling my jewelry at art fairs?

I tried one and no luck,it’s a tough business now.I have 2 websites and do the ebay auctions?

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I sell handmade jewelry at www.lovetoclay.etsy.com and the only exposure I get is when I list a new item on their site. Where can I go for cheap or free advertising to get more exposure? Thank you for your suggestions!

Here is what I do, since you asked!

I blog, Daily or every other day. Register your blog with these sources:
entrecard.com
technorati
feedburner
add the follow me feature on your blog

Include in ALL your email signatures, your URLs for your shop and blog.

Enter blog giveaways, and offer to do giveaways on your blog.

Visit Etsy forums and chats. Tehre is even an EtsyChatters team!
Join Etsy Street Teams. I love mine!

Check out venues like www.blockheadradiolive.com and www.handmadeology.com and www.cafehandmade.com that focus on exposing artisans to others.

List once a week if you can afford to do so. Relist more often if you can.

Carry business cards everywhere, hand them out, leave them with tips, in jars, anywhere! Put a vinyl sticker on your car window. Use the many marketing items from www.vistaprint.com

You are your best salesperson! You make jewelry so wear it out! When someone asks you about it, be prepared to sell yourself in under a minute!! Don’t hem and haw, have at it!

Visit craft shows, makes friends with other artisans. Join your local art league. Place an ad in your local paper.

Hope that helps!

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I’ve wanted to be a fashion designer and own my own boutique in NYC since i was 7 years old.
I am very talented at drawing and i have over 200 sketches done.
I do not know how to sew. I have a sewing machine and i’m going to learn soon.
I’m 15 by the way.
I hate the whole Hollister & Abercrombie deal. I know real fashion and it’s like my life, seriously. All my friends and my Art teacher think i should become a fashion designer.
Artistic ability runs in my family. My grandpa was a famous painter and my Aunt is a jewelry designer. I go to her shows and next summer i am going up to Maine and working with her in her store and learning all about it.
I’m planning on taking as many art classes in high school as i can, as well as a fashion design class, and i want to go to NYU or FIT.
What else should i do??
I’m so serious about this, it’s my dream ?
But is it a good job? Like how much money do they make (on average)?

Sounds like youre on the right track(but feel free to exercise a bit of modesty)

Being a Fashion Designer takes lots and lots of dedication and passion. You have to start at the beginning. Start sewing. Do it everyday. Like any other trade or skill, it takes patience and practice. Start sketching EVEN MORE. Take any and all art classes you are able to in school. Every class (2D, 3D, Drawing, etc) has valuable information that will definitely enhance your understanding of color theory, perception, realism, and design. 2D will teach composition, and value. 3D will teach connections(how to sew things together to acheive effect) and help you to think in terms of 3 dimensions. And Drawing will help with realism, perception, and perspective, which will help with your croquis (fashion sketches)

After you feel comfortable with your sewing skills and have designs you want to bring to life. You will start to make your own patterns. Youll have to do that when you are creating an original design. Most people recommend that you use premade, store bought patterns. I don’t. I think you should make your own. It also helps you to understand fashion design and sewing much better. After you have a feel for that, you’ll be able to make anything you want!

School is very valuable. They will teach you everything. You teach yourself a lot but they fill the holes you werent able to. They will teach you technique, draping, patternmaking(which will only tighten your skill if youve already done it), tailoring, and so many more things. Certain schools like Parsons<—which i go to—> and FIT will open so many doors for you. These schools have reputation, which means they hold status in the fashion world.

As for job wise. I hope that you realize that after you graduate from a major school, youll have about 5-10 years WORKING UNDER SOMEONE ELSES NAME before you even have the chance to break out on your own. Im not trying to discourage you, but you need to look at all the facts. Another dissapointing, but equally important fact, is that most designers, on an entry level position only make about $45,000/a year. which actually isnt much…AT ALL. To know more about how much different types of designers make you can go to http://www.stylesalaries.com . keep in mind that salary is dependent on what you do, what your skills are, and where you are.

Well! I hope this helps!

(Dont go to NYU for fashion!)

Susie Marie
http://www.missmerie.cjb.net
http://www.myspace.com/smsefashion

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I bought this cross broach antiquing and I’m not sure if it is just costume jewelry or if it has real meaning. It looks like military crosses, but in the searching I’ve done I have not been able to find anything on it. It is silver, with 8 points, four large and four smaller, and has the outline of a womans head in the center. the points are rather ornate. I’ll try to upload a picture as soon as I can.
[IMG]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/bandgeekTsax/broachffront.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/bandgeekTsax/broachback.jpg[/IMG]
well that didn’t work… here’s links instead.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/bandgeekTsax/broachffront.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/bandgeekTsax/broachback.jpg

Without a pic, it’s really hard to say. I could probably tell with a pic.

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Go to some place where people that wear that kind of stuff hang out and ask if aybody wants to buy it. If the market won’t come to you, go to the market.

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My mother passed away last week. Being the executrix of her estate, I’m in charge of liquidating her things like jewelry and other antiques. First, what is the best way to go about selling items - lawn sale, antique dealer, auction? Secondly, I want to make sure I get a fair market value for the stuff. I could hire an appraiser, but they don’t work for nothing and would probably charge more that the stuff was worth. Antique dealers only give about 10% of the value. A lot of the furniture isn’t in very good condition. I looked on the Internet, but its difficult to find the EXACT same things. Need some serious advice here. Thanks.

I’m sorry about your loss ,but all those things did not belong to you they where your mothers and it is her loss . if you get anything at all you should be happy , as far as value is conserned go to ebay and price what is out there . don’t worrie about what you get take what is offered and don’t loss sleep over it .some do good others not so well .

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