Welcome to HandPortal.com! Our site provides you with useful information related to handcraft, beads & handicraft jewelry, ceramics, fiber arts, woodcraft, multiple craft artisans, handcraft supplies.
Home  |  About
 

Creative Fashion With Polymer Clay

July 10th, 2010 7:43 am

Beginners or professionals, artists or hobbyists, children or adults, there’s something you can make with polymer clay. From beads, jewelry, or faces to elegant vases, transfers, canes, and faux finishes, you have over a hundred different projects to work on. The word “clay” in polymer clay is a misnomer because actually it is not real clay. Polymer clay is polyvinyl chloride or PVC blended with a plasticizer to produce coloring and elasticity. When polymer clay is baked at temperatures ranging from 215 to 275oF, PVC particles polymerize.

Due to its clay-like ability to be molded and the polymerization of components, it acquired the name “polymer clay.” Easy to mold and inexpensive, it is a good material to start making and selling jewelry pieces. In fact, these accessories are slowly becoming popular already. It will be advantageous to be one of the pioneers in this craft if you want to turn it into a business also. Unleash your creative prowess for an opportunity in a profitable business. Polymer clay necklaces are perhaps the most popular pieces, along with canes, pots, and some others. You can expand to making other pieces as you go along. You can design your own earrings, watches, bracelets and others that strike the market. To give you a tip, browse the latest fashion magazines and pattern your designs after the latest fads.

While the crafting and creative process can be a tad bit tedious, the thrill can start at selling the art pieces you made. Try wearing your creations to attract attention and invite questions. Walk around with nothing too flashy so that people’s attention will be drawn to the accents you’re wearing. Wear a great smile, too and be approachable and reactive to folks appreciating your earrings or your necklace. When appropriate, volunteer the information. You’re wearing your own creative designs and it’s for sale.

Whether you choose to market your jewelry line yourself or get some help, getting your own website is a sales booster. Create your own online gallery and store. You won’t only be able to communicate directly with your market, you could even reach a wider market base. Incorporate online payment facilities and shipments. Making and selling your own polymer clay jewelry pieces is both a fantastic hobby and an excellent business opportunity. Join arts and crafts classes. Participate in exhibits and shows. Join online forums and groups. You have a wealth of resources to help you get started, improve your artistic designs, master your craft, and make some good money. You can even get to meet people and make friends along the way.

How to Choose the Right Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

June 21st, 2010 5:01 am

Why go for handcrafted artisan jewelry when there are so many imitations around? You might escape wearing a duplicate branded garment but keen eyes can easily make out the difference between fake and authentic ones. Imitation jewelry might look good but they are completely outshone in the presence of uniquely handcrafted artisan jewelry.

Every piece of handcrafted jewelry is individually crafted by the artisan. This lends individuality to the ornamental piece, which is essentially lacking in other machine-made pieces. Since the effort invested in crafting these pieces is more, the prices are on the higher side. Hence your choice of the handcrafted jewelry must match your needs and personality.

The funkier kinds have lots on offer. You can choose a bright necklace with beads in all possible odd shapes and sizes. You can also layer several handmade necklaces for an out-n- out unique look. Hand engraved artisan bracelets, or armlets made of chunky semiprecious stones or gems are just the right accessories to express your taste and individuality.

Hand-made jewelry makes excellent gifts as they express your desire to gift the person something truly one of a kind! Purchasing handcrafted artisan jewelry ensures that you bid for the highest quality item and design as the artist can exercise complete control over the entire process of jewelry creation. So why not buy yourself a piece of beautiful handcrafted adornment and be the cynosure of all eyes!