Weekend Eye Candy - Planning and Preparation Edition

1. Sketches for new piece, 2. TADA365, #2 Collecting ideas from RAD, 3. in progress, 4. TADA 365-2 02/01/2011, 5. earring sketches, 6. Patterns and Cut, Unfolded Model, 7. Necklace with more folded paper, 8. You Messin'?, 9. 10/1/11 Sketches/doodles TADA365 No:10 

Jewelry making should be more than just tearing into expensive materials and starting a new project. The more time you take planning the design in advance, the more likely you are to have what you consider a successful outcome.

If there's an unusual object that you'd like to set, place it on a piece of paper and draw a few different possible examples of the metal backing around it. Wanting to try a new chain design? Make a maquette out of paper first. Trying to figure out how to put together a complicated construction? Use polymer or paper clay to work out each step in the process before you get out the silver.

One of my favorite tricks is to draw a design I have in mind, then repeat the process altering a few details. Repeat the whole thing 5 times, using each previous drawing as a jumping off point for the next iteration. By the time you have 6 drawings of the same theme, you'll have worked out the design in your mind and can choose the best version to get started on your piece.