what does a typical day look like for a jewelry designer? First of all I can only give you my take on this topic. The nature of an artist or designer is such that we create in many different ways. I work with metals, gemstones and lots of fire! This may not be true for others though.

My typical day at the bench

I tend to segment my days to be more effective. The days I am at the bench are dedicated to creating the design, texturing and cutting the metals and using my torch to solder or add metals to the design. I might spend one or two hours just deciding on the layout and number of pieces I will choose to work on. Look at the image at the top and see how many art pieces I want to create at once.

What usually happens though, is that I choose the 8-10 designs and from there narrow it down into what I can accomplish in a day. Since each design requires multiple processes, I most likely will finish only one or two pieces while adding another step to a few more. Sounds complicated but in my head this actually makes sense!

Here’s a video on this topic. It goes into a little more detail on the individual designs

More typical days for a jewelry designer

well I covered a typical day at the bench…. but this is only a part of what my work entails. I dedicate most of a day to photograph the finished jewelry. After all I do need to show it off in order to sell it! Then I need a day for the finishing work. This includes stone setting, final polishing and the addition of chains, ear wires, clasps and enhancements. Finally I need a day to send out orders.

Social media, updates to collectors, YouTube and blog posts are usually done in the morning.

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Not really. I know it has that chaotic vibe but actually I have a feel for everything and where it has been placed on the bench. Currently I am doing some soldering so I need the soldering board. In my case I use the bottom board for protection of the wooden bench. I have learned over the years that you just cannot be TOO careful when working with fire! Thankfully I have not burned any holes in the wood yet, but I feel safer with this added protection. I put the circular board on top. This one absorbs the heat. Plus it swivels.

I have several Third hands. (these are the black based tools you see in the photo) They are used to hold the pieces that I am soldering. Since I am usually working on several pieces simultaneously, I need a few of these. Then of course there is the solder pick, tongs, solder and torch. these are essential for soldering. Lest we forget, I need the water for quenching the soldered designs and the pickle to clean the jewelry.

So what is all the rest of the paraphernalia on my bench? Since I am prone to doing several things at once, I keep my shears, my tweezers and a file handy. Off to the left you can glimpse some of my polishing tools These are used daily.

OK that covers the bulk of my bench chaos. I mentioned that I tend to work on several projects at once .. So the next projects are usually in the bench too. Right now I have a few gemstones ready for bezeling, plus a few gemstones that I want to design with once I am finished with my current designs.

So maybe I does sound chaotic? But to me this is just a day in the life of a jewelry designer!

Follow me on my design journey by becoming a collector. My collectors receive first look at my newest designs plus Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. And you Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs.

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If someone had told me 15 years ago that I would be salivating over sheets of metal and hammers I would have [tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img]laughed out loud!

Yet here I am … getting excited over my collection of hammers. This is one of my favorite ones. The surface creates a soft almost satiny texture on my Copper, Silver or Brass metal.

But the fun only starts with this hammer. Currently I have over 25 different pieces ranging from ones that texture.. styles that form, and some that just plain flatten a rivet. Talking to other jewelers, I am aware that mine is a small collection compared to many. We are all Hammer Hoarders!

Aren’t tools supposed to be a man’s toy box? Truly times are changing. I know women who love to hammer. This includes not only jewelers but also those in the construction business.  There is such a feeling of strength, control and accomplishment that a hammer brings to us.

The use of simple hammers dates to about 2,600,000 BC when various shaped stones were used to strike wood, bone or other stones to break them apart and shape them.  This evolved into stones attached to sticks with strips of leather or animal sinew. 

The hammer’s archeological record shows that it may be the oldest tool for which definite evidence exists of its early existence.

[tweet_box design=”box_01″ float=”none”]”The world is more malleable than you think. and it’s waiting for you to hammer it into shape.”       Bono[/tweet_box]

In addition to sheets  and coils of copper, brass and silver, I also am the owner of a bench vise,  drill, Lots of pliers, two saws and so much more. Here’s the picture of my workbench to give you an idea. Do you see the tool chest in the back? it is filled with all my supplies.

The best part of this is the FUN I have creating (and sometimes recreating) my jewelry designs. Each time I sit at this bench, the rest of the world melts away. All the ‘issues’ of the day or week dont seem to matter at all. This passion is truly a gift and I appreciate it so much.

Here’s hoping you find some of this inspiration when wearing one of my designs.   Alene’s Adornments.

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