Five Ways To Make Better Mixed Media Jewelry

The Build Zone

I've been in the studio a lot lately, getting ready for teaching at ArtBliss (have you checked out their site yet?) I've been writing class handouts and proposals. I've been taking jewelry photos (in triple digit heat, at times, sweating into my viewfinder) and editing, naming, organizing.

Writing, writing, writing. 

Pondering.

What makes a good piece of jewelry?

This is one of the things I'm offering in my Build Zone online class but let me show you some examples, right here.

student work by Rainy Hannah

1. Technique: Make sure your skills are impeccable. The techniques you use should be carried out as close to perfectly as possible. Practice, practice, practice!

student work by Roben Marie Smith

2. Texture: Texture adds interest to jewelry. Fabric, leather, mixed stones, rhinestones, rubber cord, are all ways to tantalize the viewer to touch. Even if you're not a mixed media jewelry maker, texture can be added by using textured metals or stones (think reticulated silver or drusy quartz.)

student work by Amy Knutkowski

3. Balance: Whether your piece is symmetrical or asymmetrical, make sure that the eye is easily drawn around it in a way that makes sense. For instance, in the piece above, the eye is drawn to the focal immediately then is lead up to the purple beads and s-links, then finally around the remainder of the piece by the clear beads.

student work by Lisa Bommarito

4. Color: Use color to your advantage. If you're using a colored focal, incorporate some of that color into the rest of the piece. Check your color wheel to find out which colors to use together. Best color advice: don't get carried away! Stick to two or three colors.

student work by Beth Fisher

5. Be unique: Hunt down special pieces, beads or stones to use in your jewelry then use them in unique ways. This will truly make your jewelry one-of-a-kind.

This is the kind of thing I LOVE to talk about. If you love it too, and you'd like to improve your mixed media jewelry making skills, I hope you'll check out my Build Zone class. Registration is happening right this very minute...you can see the details by clicking here.

Have a creative day, friends!

deryn xxoo

Comments

[Deb]

Wow! Showcasing the work of your students - and how Wonderful they are - is proof of your design & teaching talents. Impeccable is right!

[Cindy]

Deryn, this is fantastic advice and a great reminder to those of us who have been creating for a while. The student work samples are all gorgeous and sure do follow those 5 steps to GREAT mixed media jewelry! Looking forward to seeing you in a week! :-)

[Riki Schumacher]

Beautiful advice Deryn! I'm going to post this post on my new "e-workshops" blog, everyone will want to read this. Thanks! Riki