Jewelry Creation is My Art
Creating jewelry is my passion, and I have been making and selling jewelry for the past 12 years. This lens is about my journey from beader to jeweler to artist.
There is definately a difference between a beader, jeweler, and artist. And it takes an additional step to become a professional artist who sells her work to make a living.
I hope you enjoy my work, and are spurred to buy both from myself and other professional artists.
Paula Atwell Jewelry
The Development of an Artist

- Fine Silver and Glass Brooch
- What is Your Artistic Experience?
- Some of My Jewelry Designs
- Where I Started
- Finding a Style
- Fundamentals of Metalsmithing
- One of My Jewelery Resources
- Resources for Beginning Jewelry Makers
- Finding My Style Took Some Time
- Selling Is Much Harder Than It Looks
- Basic Jewelry Making
- Be in Love With Your Artwork
- Do You Learn Better by Watching?
- More Jewelry Making Resources on DVD
- Shop for Paula Atwell Jewelry
- Charm Necklace
- Bead and Button Blog
- Helpful Jewelry Making Tools
- Paula Atwell Jewelry on Etsy
- Tell Me About Your Jewelry Making Experiences
- More Lenses by Paula Atwell
- Make Your Lenses Work for You

Fine Silver and Glass Brooch
What is Your Artistic Experience?
How Much Do You Know?
Where I Started

I started making jewelry as a hobbyist. I didn't know where to start so I took a class on basic beading.
What I learned in that class I still use today. And I will never appreciate enough that the teacher turned me on to the ultimate in jewelry suppliers. Rio Grande is the place to buy just about any jewelry supply that you need. And if you don't want to buy from them, then they are the source to compare to. They don't carry everything, but within their market, they have a very good selection. They have so many items that they put out 5 catalogs a year.
When I started I was essentially making jewelry by putting beads on a wire in different patterns.
I spent my first two years learning the best way to finish necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
I learned where to buy beads, and had a lot of fun shopping for them. And I have to say the best place to buy beads is from bead shows where you can touch and feel and see the beads in person.
After a while, I started wanting a certain style of beads that I couldn't find anywhere and that is what took me to the second stage, creating my own beads.
Finding a Style
All Artists Need to Find a Style of Their Own

Finding a style that is uniquely yours is part of becoming a true artist. It was not until I started looking for beads that I wanted and couldn't find them that I started on that journey.
I learned about a new process at that time called Precious Metal Clay and I started making my own components out of fine silver.
Precious Metal Clay allowed me to make any shape I wanted out of clay, then fire it, and end up with a fine silver piece.
It was the perfect medium for me to develop my style.
Fundamentals of Metalsmithing
Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing (Jewelry Crafts)
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Release Date: 12/31/1969
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One of My Jewelery Resources
Daniel Echeverry is a Very Talented Lampworker
The beads below are made by Daniel Echeverry, a Kent, Ohio resident and wonderful lampwork beadmaker. Lampwork beads are made by hand on a mandrel with molten glass and a torch. Daniel's work is exquisite and I sometimes use it in my designs.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byResources for Beginning Jewelry Makers
To Answer the Questions You Have When You are Not in Class

These books are a good start for someone who is looking into jewelry as a hobby or business.
Finding My Style Took Some Time
But It Was Well Worth It
I am a true believer in finding a style and sticking to it. It takes a while to find the style that you love. I experimented for about 5 years until I started to settle on a style.
As a gallery owner, I know that the artists whose work is remembered are the ones that have a distinct style. It limits you in one way, because you can only work within this style, but it makes you more creative because you develop the style more fully.
My style has become an organic looking style using fine silver, natural stones, pearls and glass primarily although from time to time I add or change parts of it.
Working on developing a style has been the best part of creating my jewelry over the last few years. Narrowing down what look I wanted to express, and really honing it down to specifics has been a challenge and also freeing at the same time. I am loving it.
Selling Is Much Harder Than It Looks
Artists Are Also Entrepreneurs
The next step of course is selling. And that is where I am now. I am ready to wholesale my work. That means working with galleries, and boutiques as customers and helping them choose what will sell best to their customers. It also means creating a production level that will support my wholesale customers.
Selling is hard. It is an entirely differently set of skills than creating. That is why so many artists find it difficult to sell. Selling means putting yourself out there, promoting your work, and having the confidence to stand by your creativity even when it gets rejected by others. Because selling is all about overcoming rejection.
Basic Jewelry Making
Jewelry Making Tutorials - How To Loop Headpins
A little clip to demonstrate visually how to loop a jewelry wire finding known as a headpin to make bead drop assemblies that can be used in making beaded earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. You'll need some beads and a few head pins a few beads, and a minimum of two hand tools: a looping (rosary) pliers and cutting pliers to try this the way I've shown it. Optionally, though an essential part of any jewelry maker's tool box, needle nose pliers to straighten everything out at the end so that everything will hang right. Practice makes perfect! With time it will come naturally as your muscle memory takes over. The same technique can also used on eyepins to make linked chains. Make a bunch and link them together with jump rings. Sometimes you just need to see it to understand it. I hope this helps you in your jewelry making. Comments welcome. Enjoy
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Be in Love With Your Artwork
Passion for Your Work is Contagious

I am totally in love with my own artwork. I love the texture, and the feel of it. I love the look of it.
In order to promote, market, and sell your work, you need to feel the same. If you don't, then you are not ready to sell it.
What I do now is completely different from where I started. I am the designer of the look, then I find the pieces I need to make the look work. When I started, I was just putting existing beads in a pretty pattern.
The true artist creates. The amateur assembles.
Making jewelry is artwork. Don't let anyone tell you differently. And good artwork sells.
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Do You Learn Better by Watching?
Jewelry Making With Nena - Basic Jewelry Making Techniques
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Release Date: 07/13/2006
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More Jewelry Making Resources on DVD
Having a Jewelry Making Library is a Great Resource for Questions
Shop for Paula Atwell Jewelry
Lake Erie Artists Gallery in Cleveland, OH
Here is a link to my jewelry on Lake Erie Artists Gallery site.
- Paula Atwell Shop
- Here is a link to all of my jewelry for sale. Enjoy!
Charm Necklace
Bead and Button Blog
This blog is from the Bead and Button magazine--the premier beading magazine.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHelpful Jewelry Making Tools
Good Jewelry Making Tools are a Must

Here are some basic jeweler's tools.
Jeweler's Lighted Magnifying Visor - 4 Diopter Levels - Twin LED Lights
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Organizational Wonder - 12-in-1 Clear-View Storage Case with Individual Screw-Top Containers
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BEADERS TOOL KIT
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8-Piece Premium-Grade Felt Buffing & Polishing Bit Set for Rotary Tools - 1/8" Shank
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Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. ~Twyla Tharp
Paula Atwell Jewelry on Etsy
Etsy is a Great Place to Shop!
Small Square Bright Earrings
$45.00
City Style Earrings
$65.00
Simple Jasper Necklace
$35.00
Amber Crystal Necklace
$45.00
Amber Silver Necklace
$45.00
Baby Leaf Earrings
$25.00
Pearl Drop Earrings
$30.00
Mother and Child Necklace
$45.00
Square Earrings w/Pearl Drop
$55.00
Small Square Earrings
$45.00
Simple Bright Earrings
$25.00
Simple Earrings
$25.00
Tell Me About Your Jewelry Making Experiences
What Do You Think of Artist Made Jewelry?

BirkeloArt wrote...
I love the statement "The true artist creates. The amateur assembles." Thank you for sharing your story.
Stazjia wrote...
I'm a real jewellery junkie and I love yours. Welcome to the Art & Design Group.
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