For the Love of Handmade

Here I am again with another photo update to my shop work in progress, or what I like to call the human interest improvements to SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie’s shop on Etsy.com. I hope you’re enjoying the revived look and feel of my handcrafted artisan beaded gemstone, wire and vintage jewelry shop as much as I am!

So go get your cup of coffee (or tea) sit back, relax, and enjoy, because I've got more before and after photos (and new items) for you to see as you read this latest installment!

Part Two: Handmade with Love

I just have to say that when you love your craft and are as passionate about your handmade product as I am, your customers are more aware of the fact that they’re not buying a commercialized piece of jewelry they can pick up at their local mall or fine jewelry retailer and that they’re really investing in a handmade gem that will last a lifetime. Take a pair of SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie’s gemstone and wire earrings for example, these are entirely designed and handcrafted from a passion for the art of hand forging and finishing each intricate detail of the complete piece of jewelry. Customers should clearly understand that every piece of SK Wire Jewelry is one of a kind, passionately handcrafted in my Pinellas Park studio with real gemstones using quality silver, copper or gold filled wire. And all meticulously created with a discernible heirloom quality to pass down from generation to generation in the SK Brand's casual elegant designs and distinctive minimalist style.

Cosmostwists - Hand formed and finished Sterling Silver 1 pc wire earrings

You can probably tell from the items in my shop, if you've visited, that my favorite handcrafted jewelry items to make are beaded gemstone and wire earrings and gemstone beaded bracelets. I don’t know why but I’ve always been partial to earrings and bracelets, maybe it’s because I remember that both my grandma’s and my mom always wore them. Although all three of them were the most instrumental in my crafty upbringing, in the early years they always purchased their jewelry from their favorite department stores. It seems as though it was just a few years ago that mom took up beading and started making her own jewelry but I know it's been longer than that because she’s been gone now for about a year and a half. Needless to say she got me started and now I’m hooked, it’s like a drug for me I just can’t get enough, I’m constantly craving more. More materials, more books and ideas, more opportunities to grow my skills and reach, just more, more, more - I think I’ll be happy if it never ends.

Carnelian Links - Handmade beaded gemstone and wire earrings

Speaking of growing my skills, I recently learned how to use my micro torch to solder a piece of metal together. And I was so happy the other day (last week actually) when I saw two brand new books on jewelry making on the “book sale” shelf at the Pinellas Park Public Library, I was in heaven (metaphorically speaking of course) and bought them both. What an investment, I’ve learned a new trick for soldering a ring shank and am looking forward to trying a better way to solder my cabochon bezels. I’ve been unlucky at bezels so far but my rings are coming out better each and every time.

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Serpent Thumb Ring - 10guage solid copper wire forged, sanded and polished by hand.

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JH Freeform Ring - Soldered 14guage solid copper wire jewelry sanded and polished by hand

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Pinky Wave Ring - Soldered 14guage solid copper wire jewelry hammered, sanded and polished by hand

 From start to finish I’ll spend hours finishing a ring I’ve just soldered together, hammering and sanding it till I’m happy with the smoothness of the rings outward surface starting with 60 grit to remove any nicks left by my pliers, moving up to 100, 150, and then 220 and (for now) 500 wet/dry Emory paper. Then when it's all smooth I'll wipe any residual dust and grit off with an old terry cloth towel and polish the ring using a micro fiber cloth giving it a high sheen. I will admit though that I just purchased a rotary tool so I can remove any extra solder that remains from the ring shank easier, this is the one step that took the longest by hand and honestly one I could use more practice with. But when it's all said and done I can’t say enough for hand finishing and polishing, I love the heirloom look that a hand finishing gives to any gemstone and wire jewelry. It truly is a labor of love process and it is (in my opinion) what gives the handmade product it's priceless value.





















But again I've talked your ear off, but I hope your enjoying the changes I've diligently been making to SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie's. I really am having the greatest time in being able to learn from a great mentor and friend who is also an Etsy seller and in turn giving you what you deserve, quality, clear and touch-ably beautiful product shots. Stay tuned for the next installment of improvements, you'll be able to find me quickly in you search for handcrafted beaded gemstone and wire jewelry!