Career Girl Answers: What Do Jewelry Designers Do?

Dear Career Girl:

Hi, :) my name is Aysia. I just want to know exactly what it is that jewelry designers do?

-Aysia

Dear Aysia:

Simply put, jewelry designers are artists who turn their inspiration into wearable, marketable designs. Depending on their interests, they work in everything from fashion accessories to fine gems, for jewelry firms or their own brand. They are passionate, self-motivated leaders.

They research and analyze current and past design trends, research and develop jewelry designs, understand the jewelry manufacturing process, and utilize their extensive knowledge of materials including metals and gems.

Jewelry Design is one of the creative majors offered at FIDM. Consulting jewelry design instructor Kim Hurlbert helped launch the program and is an expert in gems, having graduated from the Gemological Institute of America and Gemological Association of Great Britain.

I hope this was helpful, Aysia. If you have any more questions about the jewelry business, send 'em my way!

-Career Girl

Do you have a question for Career Girl? Please send an email with your career related questions to fashionclub@fidm.com. Be sure to read questions answered from other readers, too!

Just Accepted Jewelry Design Student is a Champion Ice Skater

Full Name: Mackenzie Joy Ellsworth

Age: 17

Hometown: Rocklin, CA

Year in School: Senior

FIDM Major: Jewelry Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Los Angeles, Fall of 2012

Admissions Advisor: Diane Corbett

Tell us a bit about yourself. I am about to graduate from the International Baccalaureate Program at Mira Loma High School in Sacramento, CA. I just attended National Synchronized Ice Skating Championships in Worcester, Massachusetts with my team Sierra Storm. We were ranked 12th in the nation by the US Figure Skating Association!

Despite my seemingly busy life, I have always found time for my jewelry. When all of my other interests have faded and changed, jewelry has remained constant in my life. I started making jewelry when I was 11 years old with the help of an American Girl book on how to make paper clip jewelry. By the time I was 13, I had begun selling my jewelry to friends and family.

I haven't stopped since and I have enjoyed every second of my progress. I have moved on from paper clip jewelry to learning how to do beadwork and even solder metal with a master jeweler.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I would have to say my proudest accomplishments are mainly associated with my IB Diploma. I successfully incorporated my fascination with jewelry into projects pertaining to my diploma. My integration of my love for jewelry into school is the reason I have managed to stay so interested in high school and push through the countless essays and projects that have caused me many all nighters.

What made FIDM right for you? Since I was 11 years old and picked up that American Girl book, my dream has been to one day create my own jewelry company. I could never decide between going to school for business or jewelry design. Before I knew FIDM existed I pondered the idea of attending a fashion design school, or just double majoring in college so I could achieve both degrees so I wouldn't have to settle for one or the other.

FIDM has the perfect program for me! I don't have to decide or settle for anything less than I have dreamed of and I won't be overwhelmed with the thought of having to double major.

Describe your entrance project. I flipped through magazines to find some of my favorite things. I have done lots of research for my IB Art class and some ideas just stuck with me through all the years. I also knew I wanted to learn a new technique because I had an excuse to take a new class.

I decided to learn how to braid eight strands of seed beads together and wire together pewter leaves into a flower that was similar to a lotus flower. Of course the center of the flower just had to be red, my absolute favorite color, and what better beads than glimmering crystals to represent my style! The final product included everything I had hoped for, black, red, silver, a lotus flower, crystals, and even some dangling chain to resemble that of a classy chandelier.

What are your career goals? Someday I hope to run my own jewelry company. It may be far down the line, but it has been my goal since the day I discovered my love for jewelry!

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn how to handle the basics of a business and I expect to broaden my understanding of jewelry. Hopefully I will learn new ways in which I can be inspired to design jewelry, and different materials, tools, and processes in which I can create jewelry.

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Has a Jewelry Company

Full Name: Jademoon Isabella Seltz

Age: 17

Hometown: Rancho Mirage, California

Year in School: High School Senior

FIDM Major: Fashion Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: FIDM Los Angeles/Fall 2012

Admission Advisor: Tina Takahashi

Tell us a bit about yourself. My mind is set in a world of creativity. Since early childhood I have been attracted to activities that allow me to express myself. These activities have shaped who I am in different ways. I am a performing and competition dancer. I also have a love for the culinary arts. Music is another area of interest and has strongly impacted my life. I have grown up playing the piano, singing, writing, and recording myself and others. 

Among all my interests, nothing consumes me more than my passion for the world of fashion. I started to grow an interest for art at the age of five and this eventually led me to fashion designing. I sketch and design anything that comes to my mind, from clothes to accessories. Ever since, I have always wanted to start my own clothing and accessories line. I am completely mesmerized by fashion and how it  can transport you to another place and time, how it speaks to you without uttering a word, and how it allows you to express your individuality or play a role. I want to be a part of this world through film, television, and music.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I have actually brought a few of my jewelry designs to life.  My company, Wicked Treasurez, now has an online storefront through which I sell the latest trends and show and sell some of my own products. My items feature unique and wicked jewelry designs with a glamorous touch.

What made FIDM right for you? Once I stepped through the doors of FIDM Los Angeles I really felt in place. I specifically chose this FIDM location, because it's my second hometown, and because it is located in the #1 apparel manufacturing center in the nation. FIDM is the perfect school for me because it is where my creativity can turn into the driving force that fuses my fashion design desires with my future career realities!

Describe your entrance project. I had to create an inspiration page that would represent the theme of my seven fashion illustrations that I also had to sketch. To each of my sketches, I had to also add fabric swatches. I based my fashion designs on future trends I believe will come in and will also withstand the test of time.  Through it all, I had a lot of fun because it s what my heart and mind desire to do: create!

What are your career goals? I am ambitious to be part of the film, stage, and television costume designer world. I also see a future for myself as a fashion stylist. Expanding my jewelry line and creating a young women's wear clothing line is another goal.  

What do you expect to learn from FIDM? I know FIDM will provide me with an education that will challenge me to live up to my greatest potential. I believe I will get the fashion industry's best from FIDM due to the fact that its Board of Advisors and Faculty are successful and continually working in the fields they teach in. With FIDM's driving force to stay focused on their students'  goals, I know my dreams in the fashion world will be reached. I love what FIDM has to offer me in my major.  

Gen Art Palladium Jewelry Competition

Do you want to design a jewelry line and have someone else produce and market it for free? Gen Art and Palladium Alliance International (PAI) are on the search to challenge an emerging, hip, and innovative jewelry designer to create a line of jewelry utilizing Palladium.

The winner's six-piece collection will be produced in this lightweight, naturally white, and luxurious precious metal and marketed and sold through a partnership with Gemvara. The line will also be featured in a national ad campaign, publicized to the industry, and recognized at Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion Show during Fashion Week LA.

Submissions are due on October 10th. For more information and to read all of the entry requirements and rules please visit Gen Art.

Just Accepted Jewelry Design Student is a U.S. Air Force Veteran

Full Name: Jennifer Marie Mills

Age: 30

Hometown: Garden Grove

Major: Jewelry Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2011

Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. I was in the United States Air Force and I served for four years. I have been to many different countries, including Germany, Kuwait, Portugal, Kosovo, Barharian, Italy, Oman, and many more.

I am the eldest six kids, love to travel, I love to make and design things, and I love to help people. I have a three year-old nephew, who I love. His name is Patrick Jr. and he is the light of my life.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? My proudest accomplishment so far has been time served in the military. I have served in two wars, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom (9/11). Also, the work that I do for families in my current occupation.

What made FIDM right for you? I love the beauty of the school. I love how creative all the majors are. I love that it is a specialized for these kinds of industries, it just makes me feel like the students and faculty really understand how I operate and think. I will also be able to know how my fellow classmates think, so that I can relate to them and establish long term bonds and relationships.

I just adore the creative environments, it really invigorates me to think outside of the box, to create more, and to look at things in new ways. Every time I am at FIDM Orange County I feel so inspired and motivated, it just feels like home. This is where I belong!

Describe your entrance project. I was asked to make or write a journal that indicated what inspired me. However, I was not permitted to use jewelry as apart of my inspiration. So I put together a book of pictures of fashion, architecture, gems, clothes, hair, models, Hollywood, film, my personal dreams and vision for the future as my inspiration, and then journaled about why they meant something to me and why they inspired me and why I felt they were connected to my ability to make jewelry.

I also then brought in some pieces of jewelry that I have made and designed to show the range of ability I have for this major. Mr. Mirabella was very impressed. That made me feel wonderful and very pleased.

What are your career goals? I would like to graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising with my BS degree in Business Management and go on to open my own jewelry line for the masses. Currently I am an insurance agent and finishing up my classes to get licensed so I can help save people money with their insurance and can create long term financial plans for them. It's about educating families and allowing them to have the education and tools for them to make wise financial decisions.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I have high expectations and I know that FIDM will challenge me in ways that I have never been challenged before. I know the educators and faculty will use all of their resources for class studies that are engaging and pertinent for my development. I expect to learn how to take my love of making jewelry and turn those skill sets into not just a passion and hobby, but a business and income stream. I expect to be given tools that will launch my career to the next level and open doors for me in this industry. I look forward to the journey.