Stress Testing Handmade Jewelry
Published On: 11-14-2011 08:19pm
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Category: Shop Talk
An important part of any business that involves the making of things, is making sure that those things are the best that they can be.
We’ve probably all seen those commercials where factory made goods are put through hours of abuse by machinery, designed to try the durability of a product. Everything from toys to vacuum cleaners gets put to the test, to see how well they will stand up to everyday use.
Although I don’t put my jewelry through a gauntlet of horrors, I do try to test out the longevity of designs that I keep for myself, so that I can be sure the jewelry I make will last a lifetime.
When I discovered bead weaving, after years of using beads in crafts, I knew instantly that I wanted the art to be a part of my life. I began planning my future as a full time jewelry designer, though it would be years before I was ready to begin.
For the first year, I learned and practiced many techniques, using simple materials like polyester sewing thread, Chinese seed beads, and repurposed clasps from old jewelry that I had taken apart. Once I had developed my skills, and was ready to experiment with my own designs, I upgraded to the quality materials that I use today, like Japanese seed beads, Czech glass, and durable braided nylon thread.
Although many of my early creations became gifts for friends and family, I still have a collection of pieces that I like to wear. And whenever a design doesn’t turn out as well as I had hoped, I add it to my growing collection of beaded jewelry.
To test out the durability of my designs, I basically ignore everything in my jewelry care guide. Here are some of the terrible things I like to do with my personal collection:
I hang almost all of my own jewelry on pegs and hooks. My favorite pieces have their own special pegs in the bathroom - where they are bombarded by steam on a daily basis.
I leave rings lying around the house, and don’t make a lot of fuss if my son wants to stick them on his action figures or drive over them with toy cars.
I often keep rings and bracelets on when I rinse my hands, pull on sweaters, or eat messy finger foods.
I’ve even left jewelry in my pockets when clothes go into the wash!
I would never do any of these things to jewelry that I had purchased for myself, or received as a gift - or something I want to sell, of course! I treat my own jewelry with about as much reverence as a favorite sweater. So far, the results are excellent.
So, when I finish a new creation, or package jewelry for it’s new owner, I know that it is ready to be loved. But remember, handmade things should always be loved gently, so they will last a long, long time.
-Mortira
We’ve probably all seen those commercials where factory made goods are put through hours of abuse by machinery, designed to try the durability of a product. Everything from toys to vacuum cleaners gets put to the test, to see how well they will stand up to everyday use.
Although I don’t put my jewelry through a gauntlet of horrors, I do try to test out the longevity of designs that I keep for myself, so that I can be sure the jewelry I make will last a lifetime.
When I discovered bead weaving, after years of using beads in crafts, I knew instantly that I wanted the art to be a part of my life. I began planning my future as a full time jewelry designer, though it would be years before I was ready to begin.
For the first year, I learned and practiced many techniques, using simple materials like polyester sewing thread, Chinese seed beads, and repurposed clasps from old jewelry that I had taken apart. Once I had developed my skills, and was ready to experiment with my own designs, I upgraded to the quality materials that I use today, like Japanese seed beads, Czech glass, and durable braided nylon thread.
Although many of my early creations became gifts for friends and family, I still have a collection of pieces that I like to wear. And whenever a design doesn’t turn out as well as I had hoped, I add it to my growing collection of beaded jewelry.
To test out the durability of my designs, I basically ignore everything in my jewelry care guide. Here are some of the terrible things I like to do with my personal collection:
I hang almost all of my own jewelry on pegs and hooks. My favorite pieces have their own special pegs in the bathroom - where they are bombarded by steam on a daily basis.
I leave rings lying around the house, and don’t make a lot of fuss if my son wants to stick them on his action figures or drive over them with toy cars.
I often keep rings and bracelets on when I rinse my hands, pull on sweaters, or eat messy finger foods.
I’ve even left jewelry in my pockets when clothes go into the wash!
I would never do any of these things to jewelry that I had purchased for myself, or received as a gift - or something I want to sell, of course! I treat my own jewelry with about as much reverence as a favorite sweater. So far, the results are excellent.
So, when I finish a new creation, or package jewelry for it’s new owner, I know that it is ready to be loved. But remember, handmade things should always be loved gently, so they will last a long, long time.
-Mortira
