Handmade Jewelry: A Celebration of Craftsmanship and Individuality

Why Handmade? In a world of mass-produced stuff, the reality that individuality & handmade is better became important to me at an early age. My sister and I had the most eclectic, colorful, high quality collection of Barbie clothes, hand-sewn by our Aunt Marilyn. I loved that they were different (and better in every way) than the mass-produced clothes from the store. Marilyn's creativity, attention to detail, and uniqueness influenced me in a huge way. In highschool, after showing up to sophomore Homecoming in the exact same dress as a friend, I sewed all my prom dresses and started making my own jewelry.

In a world of mass-produced stuff: Handmade is Best.

Chris and I honed this awareness and our abilities in college where it was instilled in us to create art with metal. We have a huge appreciation for handmade jewelry, it is a labor-intensive, challenging pursuit for every silversmith and jewelry artist. Each piece is a unique expression of the artist’s skill, passion, vision, and spirit. Each piece has a way of resonating with a specific wearer, which for me, is the icing on the cake.

In this blog post, we explore the allure and benefits of handmade jewelry, and how you can find the perfect piece to express your individuality.

 

Why Choose Handmade Jewelry?

Advantages of handmade jewelry over mass-produced pieces:

• Uniqueness: Each piece is a personal and irreplaceable treasure, no two pieces are exactly alike. It’s a wonderful form of individuality and self-expression (plus, no embarrassing episodes of Homecoming Who-Wore-it-Best).
• High Quality: Often created with meticulous craftsmanship, using high-quality materials, handmade jewelry is built to last a lifetime and be passed to future generations.
• Personalization: Many jewelry artists offer custom designing, so you can create a specialized, meaningful piece. 
• Ethical Sourcing: Many designers prioritize ethically sourced materials. We buy a majority of our metals and some gemstones from Riogrande. Rio has policies supporting ethical resourcing and environmental concern, read more here. Our go-to eco-conscious, fair trade, and sustainable source for beautiful gemstone beads is Intrinsic Trading, see more here. 
• Last, but Not Least — You are Supporting Artists: When you buy handmade jewelry, you directly support independent artists and craftspeople, empowering them to pursue their passion and help fuel the economy. An inspiring collaboration of positive energy between artist and wearer is created — the icing! See Chris in action making two rings for a customer on YouTube here.

Types of Handmade Jewelry

The world of handmade jewelry is almost as diverse as my collection of Aunt Marilyn’s Barbie clothes. There’s something for everyone — styles, materials, colors, techniques. Here are some popular categories:

• Hand-Fabricated Metal Jewelry: Creating items by hand, usually starting with sheet or wire using traditional metalsmithing techniques requiring a high level of skill and precision. For example, Chris and I craft our jewelry starting with silver, gold or copper sheet or wire that we saw, hammer, roll-print, hand-stamp, forge, form, anneal and solder to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Each piece is handmade and unique from the next. Browse our earrings, pendants, bracelets, and rings – handcrafted to make you shine!
• Cast Metal Jewelry: A method of creating designs by pouring molten metal into molds. Most retail jewelry is cast, as molds allow designs to be recreated and reproduced in volume. One of our favorite artists who casts jewelry with a team of craft people is Jes MaHarry, visit her site here.
• Gemstone Jewelry: Wearable designs featuring natural gemstones, showcasing the beauty and unique properties of the stones. Take a look at some of our jewelry featuring gemstones here.
• Beaded Jewelry: Made using various types of beads, from glass and ceramic to wood and natural materials, offering a wide array of colors and textures. One of our favorite artists who creates her own gorgeous glass beads is Cecilia Labora, find her here. 
• Wire Jewelry: Organic designs featuring shaped and woven wire. One of our favorite artists who combines wire with a wide variety of materials in unique, sculptural ways is Clarrisa Knighten, find her here. 
• Metal Clay Jewelry: Precious Metal Clay is a moldable material made from metal particles, an organic binding agent, and water. It can be shaped like clay and fired in a kiln to create a solid piece of metal. Metal clay allows for intricate textural details and endless sculptural possibilities. We use sterling silver metal clay in our delicately detailed pieces, such as our flower, butterfly, and mantra pieces. 

Where to Find Handmade Jewelry

With the rise of online shops and social media, finding handmade jewelry is easier than ever before. Here are some popular ways to discover unique pieces:

• Instagram: Many jewelry makers showcase their work and processes on Instagram, it’s a great way to see their designs and message them directly. Find us on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/kristinchristopherjewelry/ or @kristinchristopherjewelry
• Local Craft Fairs and Markets: Meet artists and see their work in person — a fun experience and wonderful place to try on pieces. Find art fairs in your area here.
• Online Jewelry Stores: Many websites specialize in selling handmade jewelry, offering a curated selection of pieces from different makers. Many artist and artisans have their own sites, like ours. In addition, many art fairs share lists of participating artists and their website stores. Here is an example of Lawrence Art in the Park's artist page, here.

Caring for Your Handmade Jewelry

Following basic care instructions helps keep your handmade jewelry looking beautiful for years to come:

• Store it properly: Keep your jewelry in a clean, dry, and dust-free environment, preferably in a jewelry box, zip-bag, or pouch.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Chemicals like perfumes, lotions, and hairspray can damage the finish of your jewelry.
• Clean Regularly: Give your sterling silver pieces a quick shine with a polishing cloth designed for precious metals.
• More Tips: for caring for sterling silver jewelry and copper pieces jewelry. 

Hear from Our Customers

"Kristin! Just WOW! THANK YOU so much for pouring all of your heartfelt effort, thoughtfulness, time, talent, and creativity designing this symbolic necklace for friendship, love, and connection ... we were all SO moved and joyFUL! You are truly AMAZING at what you do!"
– Julie T.

Chris and I pour our hearts into each piece, ensuring every creation is unique as each person who matches with our work.

To Sum it Up

Handmade jewelry is an expression of individuality and a celebration of timeless techniques and craftsmanship. It's more than just an accessory, it's a connection to the heart and soul of each artist. In a world of mass-produced stuff, we encourage you to invest in the adventure of discovering handmade jewelry, meeting the jewelry artists, learning their inspiration and stories, and finding the one-of-a-kind treasures that speak directly to your heart and soul. I truly believe there is a person meant to match with each piece. 

Handmade is Best. Learn more about our inspiration and designs at KristinChristopher.com.

Join the Conversation

What do you love most about handmade jewelry? Let us know in the comments below!