How to Become a Jewelry Designer

Becoming a jewelry designer gives you the freedom to set your own schedule as well as let your creative juices flow. Your earning potential is endless, and the work that you do can be fun and exciting once you learn how to become a jewelry designer.
  1. Start by checking out other people's work. This will help plant creative ideas in your head for your designs, and this can get you help you get started understanding what materials are used in jewelry.
  2. Think about what type of piece you want to create. Determine if you are into making bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, brooches or pins, belt buckles, or some other type of jewelry or a combination of a number of types.
  3. Purchase your materials. These can include metal, gemstones, clay, natural things such as shell or wood, or beads.
  4. Buy the equipment and tools that you need to create your pieces. These can include wire, pliers, solder tools, glue, buffers, kilns or ovens, etc.
  5. Determine to whom you are planning to sell. Decide if you are wanting to mass market, sell to local shops, have jewelry parties or attend art fairs and events.
  6. Work on your business basics, and create a business plan that lists start-up costs. This includes choosing your business name and obtaining, through your state's Department of Revenue, a resale tax number. In addition, open a bank account strictly for your business.
  7. Choose a location or workspace to create your designs. Determine if you can create your designs in your own home or if you will need to rent a studio location.
  8. Figure out your pricing and determine how you are going to display your jewelry.
  9. Prepare your resume as well as your portfolio. This will include narrowing down your initial work to your best pieces, and choosing a simple way to show them. 
  10. Offer to do a project for someone or for a company. Let your work speak for yourself, and if the agreement is mutually agreeable or successful, consider future projects together.