Becoming a Jewelry Maker at 17

Deviantart

2010-11-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, Deviantart is one of the most interesting and enjoyable sites I have ever been on. What better way is there to see normal people (aka people who don't get their work published or put in a museum) put forth their creations for all to see. I have seen many amazing things on there including cakes that look like R2D2 to comics that parody Harry Potter. Putting pictures of my jewelry on Deviantart has really helped advertise my work. Free advertisement hoorah! I would really suggest joining as many groups as possible that are related to your work if you want a lot of people to see it.
That's all for today people who are not reading this.

Using Etsy

2010-10-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

I think one the most resourceful sites out there for craft-makers is Etsy. Some people can't afford making their own site to sell hand made products (me), so etsy makes it a whole lot easier. Here's how it works:
-make an account
-become a seller (you will need a credit card for this)
-start posting your work
~make sure you have clear, eye-catching photos
~do not over price, this includes shipping
-find a way to advertise
~I would suggest deviant art for this one (next blog about that)
~posting in the etsy forums or talking in the chat is helpful as well
-you can make the profile look better with a banner and a nice bio about yourself as well

It's as easy as that! So far, I've had about 3 sales and been on for 2 months. Hoorah!

http://www.etsy.com/ is the site
my etsy site is www.etsy.com/shop/nonconformity.com

What is Steampunk?

2010-10-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so many people ask me, "what is steampunk?" I am going to explain in my own words what it is. None of that wikipidia definitions that people are so fond of.
Steampunk: A victorian style that focuses on the Industrial Revolution or the "steam powered" aspects. In which case, items such as corsets, top hats, hoop skirts, chokers, pocket watches, goggles, monocles, etc. are worn. To make something "steampunk" and not victorian you must add some "flair" to it as I like to say. Adding gears, antiqued copper (or brass if you prefer) objects, clocks, or leather gives it the right look. Much of the time when people dress steampunk, they take a profession such as....let's say a ghostbuster, and make it steampunk. When you take a normal (or abnormal) occupation, you end up with something like this: http://mydisguises.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/ghostbuster-steampunk.jpg. Thank you League of S.T.E.A.M. for being the perfect example of steampunk.

This lesson was brought to you by Nonconformity http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nonconformity

Hello World

2010-10-11T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hello, world. I'm going to admit a few things right off the bat.
a. I have no idea who will ever read this.
b. I am not a professional jewerly maker. I cannot create my own pendants and such for which I may use on my own creations.
c. I am 17 and I will talk about how I became a jewelry maker.
d. I have my own sense of style. If you don't like something that I make, I apologize in advance. Don't cover my page in negativity :).

A little about myself, I am 17 years old and currently in high school. I began making jewelry around my 17th birthday. My earrings which I made from recycled soda cans were popular, though highly unsuccessful in sales. To see these pieces go here: http://stargirl102777.deviantart.com/gallery/#Soda-Jewelry.

A day that changed my jewelry ideas around was on July 3rd, 2010. To those of you who don't know (which should be everyone), I am a complete anime nerd. So on July 3rd I was attending my third day of Anime Expo in LA. They had a panel for Steampunk fans and that was the moment I got insperation to make my own steampunk outfit. For that I would need....oh right, a choker. Fast forward a few weeks and I'm making and selling my own chokers, bracelets and earrings to friends. More info about that in later blogs. To see what I've made so far go here: http://stargirl102777.deviantart.com/gallery/#New-Jewelry.

Also, I have an etsy store here: http://etsy.com/shop/nonconformity.