2009 Saul Bell Award-Enter your Jewelry Design

Rio Grande's Saul Bell Award deadline is just around the corner (Sept 19, 2008). Entering a well known design competition and being a finalist is an awesome way to get some major PR time.

This design competition has several categories including an emerging artist for those under 18:

Gold/Platinum
The predominant metal is gold, platinum or a combination of both. May be cast, fabricated, forged, assembled, or any combination of techniques. Must be your original design.

Precious Metal Clay®
The predominant material is either silver or gold Precious Metal Clay® (PMC), PMC+® or PMC3®. Must be your original design.

Beads
The predominant design elements are beads, pearls, or other strung ornaments. Beads may be any material. Must be your original design or assembly.

Silver
The predominant metal is silver. May be cast, fabricated, forged, assembled or any combination of techniques. Must be your original design.

Hollowware
A vessel that is spun, drawn, forged and/or raised. May incorporate decorative cast or fabricated components into the design. The medium is predominantly silver and/or gold.

Enamel
The predominant surface material must be enamel. Use glass-based enamels and fire on any type of metal. Must be your original design and construction.

You can get an application here....

Jewelry Marketing is NOT an Option

Why do some jewelry artist designers have more success than others?

In one word-marketing!

Marketing your jewelry and wearable art is just as important as creating it! If you are an emerging artist and sole employee, you must include marketing activities everyday in your business if you wish to be successful and stay in business (keeping in mind it takes the average artist 5-7 years have their art support them on a full-time basis).

In order to market your jewelry/wearable art successfully, you must find your own voice (tell your story in your own words) so it is authentic and you feel good and passionate about your message.

Look at other successful jewelry artists* and see what message they are telling. What appeals or does not appeal to you? why? This can help you craft your message by finding what is authentic to you...no one wants to sound like a cheesy car salesman!

*In fact, look at any successful business model and their marketing to see what appeal to you and why!

Where does your jewelry fit in the market place?

If you are an emerging jewelry artist, it is imperative that you "nail" down what your target or niche market is and find venues/opportunities to get in front of that niche market.
One way you can determine what your target market is by showing your jewelry in a variety of venues/markets and tracking your results.
Does your jewelry appeal to a certain age group ? How affordable is your jewelry ? Does the opposite sex stop too and look for "gifts"? Have brides or upcoming grads been enticed by your designs? What was your average sales ticket?etc.....
Another great way to get feedback is to host a jewelry show and give out $10 gift certificates with a quick anonymous survey that includes questions on pricing, style, appeal, packaging, etc...

Here is to your success in your niche jewelry market. Don't forget to enjoy the journey and celebrate each success from a new customer to a new design that you love!

Promote Yourself Online-Emerging Jewelry Designer

I want to be recognized as an emerging jewelry designer and so do you. Do you have a website? Then check out this amazing opportunity for indie emerging jewelry designers with an online boutique.

By having your family, friends and customers vote for your website and handcrafted jewelry, they have the chance to win a $500 shopping spree and you have the chance to have your jewelry showcased at Fashion Week in NY! If that isn't a dream come true, I do not know what is!!!

You can place a banner like this one on your blog and website to encourage online visitors to vote for you.

Good luck!

Have any other ways to promote yourself???