Warren Feld Jewelry

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From Warren and
Land of Odds
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April 1, 2025
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Hi everyone,

Some Updates and Things Happening.
(Please share this newsletter)

In this Issue:
1. Some highlights from the recent ORNAMENT magazine
2. Mastering the art of talking about your jewelry in public
3. Some advice about self promotion
4. Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show, September 26–28, 2025, APPLY NOW
5. What does it mean to foster a Growth Mindset?
6. Are the days of men’s jewelry worn solely as symbol of power and wealth gone for good?
7. Call for entries: Richmond CRAFT+DESIGN
8. Clever phrases/aphorisms/memes for artists of all kinds
Some articles you may have missed

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1. Some highlights from the recent ORNAMENT magazine

I received my most recent issue of one of my favorite magazines — ORNAMENT. Here are some highlights.

New books:

Articles:

Ancient Craft Skills and the Contemporary Craftsperson

Nikki Couppee Showcase

There are many other jewelry designers highlighted, as is New York City Jewelry Week.

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2. Mastering the art of talking about your jewelry in public

Speaking about your work publicly can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Here are some key tips to confidently and effectively share your work:

a. Know Your Story (Inspirations, getting started, techniques and materials)

b. Develop a Clear 30 second Elevator Pitch (engage in 30 seconds; focus on what makes your jewelry unique)

c. Speak with Passion and Confidence (enthusiasm is contagious; take your time and speak clearly, even if you are nervous)

d. Adapt to your Audience (what do you think your audience wants to hear? focus on process and inspiration; highlight your brand and craftsmanship; be conversational and authentic; tell stories and anecdotes and don’t lecture)

e. Prepare a Narrative (focus on crafting a story that encapsulates your artistic journey, the challenges, triumphs, pivotal moments, struggles, doubts you’ve overcome, mishaps, recurring themes in your work, how your themes relate to your personal story; a compelling narrative evokes emotion)

f. Show and Tell (be prepared to show and tell, whether you have your jewelry with you at the moment, or you share images or your portfolio on your cellphone)

g. Engage, Don’t Just Talk (be interactive; encourage questions; ask what people think, invite them to share their opinions or what they think; get their reactions to a piece of jewelry before you begin to talk about it; style preferences; be conversational; show genuine interest in their responses and respond with some detail to what they say; be patient with responses and allow your audience time to formulate and articulate their thoughts; resist the urge to fill silences too quickly; you can always start the conversation by talking about a question you get asked a lot)

h. Practice, Practice, Practice (outline your remarks or write it out like a script for a play; rehearse in front of a mirror or with a friend; record yourself and refine your delivery; I use a desktop/mobile app called LOOM, which has a free subscription option)

i. Be Ready For Questions (why use these, do this, not do this?; what do you like?; how long does this take?)

j. Provide Takeaways (at the end of your talk, summarize the key ‘learnings’; provide a brochure or postcard or business card that your audience can take with them, as a physical reminder of your work; provide an avenue for them to explore your work further or contact you for potential opportunities, purchases, collaborations)

k. End With A Call To Action (extend the conversation beyond the event; always end with a call to action: visit website; sign up for newsletter; take them on a tour)

l. Follow-Up (you want to build lasting relationships (invite audience to stay connected and give you their email addresses, other contact information; send a personalized thank you note or email shortly after event; repeat highlights of your talk, links to your work, information about where to find you next)

m. Reflect and Adapt (review the event/encounter; what resonated best/least; what feedback did the audience present; adjust previous steps accordingly)

n. Network and Connect (expand your professional circle and foster meaningful relationships with other jewelry designers as well as your client base; engage in one-on-one conversations with clients who seemed interested in your work; exchange contact information with fellow designers and any boutiques, galleries or other businesses that seemed interested in your work; discover new opportunities to keep you and your work visible)

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3. I was reading this article about self promotion, and wanted to share this with you. Good stuff.

The Art of Self-Promotion: Building Identity and Crafting a Legacy

by Ivan Barnett, Klimt02, 3/17/2025

The Power of Being Yourself
Self-promotion often feels like an uncomfortable task for artists, but my first rule is simple: be yourself. There is no one way to self-promote, and the key is to find an approach that aligns with your personality. Authenticity is what draws people in — it’s not about forcing a persona but rather amplifying what makes you unique.

Let’s address social media, the most obvious self-promotional tool. Over the past half-decade, its impact has declined as big businesses have taken over. That doesn’t mean it’s useless — it just means you must use it wisely. Instead of treating social media as an advertising outlet, think of it as a storytelling tool. Show your process, your inspirations, and the personal side of your work. People connect with authenticity, not just finished products.

[His stated philosophy: Art is not something we create, it is who we are.]

Continue reading the article

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4. 
Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show, September 26–28, 2025, APPLY NOW

The 2025 Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show is an exhibition and sale of wearable contemporary American craft (clothing, accessories and jewelry) held in Washington, DC at the beautiful Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building (AIB) on the National Mall. 

Electronic applications are due by Tuesday, April 15, 2025. A non-refundable fee of $30 must accompany each application.

APPLY NOW

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5. What Does It Mean To Foster A Growth Mindset?

Failure is uncomfortable. Disconcerting. Too often, we do everything we can to keep ourselves out of situations where we might fail. We focus on what could go wrong, instead of what could go right. We think we don’t have the abilities to do the task. We get paralyzed. We do nothing. Or we keep repeating ourselves, producing the same-ole, same-ole, whether there is a continued market for these items, or not. Or we begin to visualize any risk as insurmountable, way bigger than it really is.

But allowing any fear of failure to become some kind of insurmountable wall works against us. If we are trying to make a go of it by selling our jewelry, we can’t build these kinds of walls. Successful business people and successful businesses need to foster a culture which promotes a growth mindset. Simply, a growth mindset is a culture where you have permission and encouragement and confidence to take risks.

Risks are OK because they bring rewards. Rewards allow the business to maintain itself, sustain itself, grow and expand.

Failures are OK, as well, as long as they become learning experiences.

Doubt and self-doubt are OK only if they are used to trigger reflection and new ideas to overcome them.

Not having the skills requisite for the moment is OK because we are all capable of continual learning.

Temporary setbacks are OK because you have had them before and overcame them.

Carol Dweck wrote the seminal book on growth mindsets called Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006), with a series of related books to follow. People have either a growth-mindset or a fixed-mindset.

Those with a growth-mindset believe their abilities are developed through continual learning and hard work. They are more willing to experiment and try new things, and see failures as opportunities rather than setbacks.

Those with a fixed-mindset believe that abilities are innate — you’re born with talents or not. They seek out opportunities where specific talents, rather than effort, leads to success. They prefer to repeat tasks and apply skills they are already familiar with.

Developing a growth mindset means such things as…

1. Understanding the power of “Not Yet”.

2. Setting learning and continual learning goals

3. Being deliberate and constantly challenging yourself

4. Asking for honest feedback and criticism

5. Always reflecting on and being very metacognitive about your thoughts and actions, successes and
 failures

6. Recognizing if you are stuck in a fixed-mindset, and acknowledging your weaknesses

7. Focusing on the process, and less-so on the result

8. Getting comfortable with self-affirmation, rather than needing the affirmation and approval of others

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6. Are the days of men’s jewelry worn solely as symbol of power and wealth gone for good?

A look at men’s jewellery at GemGenève

The rebirth of jewellery for men since the 2010s is actually due to another factor altogether: men have changed the way they relate to jewels and jewellery in general, argues GemGenève co-founder Ronny Totah. Today, men account for up to 30% of jewellery purchases from certain collections by brands and independent craftsmen and women.

View other men’s jewelry and Read responses to this question here.
https://klimt02.net/forum/articles/look-mens-jewellery-gemgeneve

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7. Call for entries: Richmond CRAFT+DESIGN

Begin application process here
https://juriedartservices.net/events/2188

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8. Clever phrases/aphorisms/memes for artists of all kinds

I am a member of the Columbia Arts Council. For an event, we are going to pass out stickers. I generated a sampling of sayings that could go on the stickers, and I’m sharing them with you. Thought you’d get a chuckle out of these.

General Creativity & Art

1. Create like nobody’s watching.
2. Messy hands, brilliant mind.
3. Art: cheaper than therapy.
4. Make art, not excuses.
5. Doubt kills more art than failure ever will.
6. Every artist was first an amateur.
7. Creativity is intelligence having fun.
8. I speak fluent paint splatter.
9. Art is my love language.
10. Reality is overrated — paint me another one.
11. The world is my canvas, and I’m out of control.
12. Perfectly imperfect — just like my art.
13. Stay weird, stay creative.
14. Warning: Contains excessive imagination.
15. Creativity takes courage — and a lot of snacks.

Makers & Hands-On Artists

1. Handmade with sarcasm and love.
2. Makers gonna make.
3. I make things. What’s your superpower?
4. Handcrafted with reckless precision.
5. This is what ‘made with love’ looks like.
6. I turn coffee into art.
7. Saw dust is my glitter.
8. I make because I must.
9. Perfection is boring. Make something weird.
10. Measure twice, cut once, cry anyway.
11. My blood type is glue and glitter.
12. I can’t. I have a project.
13. Made by hand, heart, and a little bit of chaos.
14. Mistakes are just creative detours.
15. Cut. Sew. Cry. Repeat.

Painting & Drawing

1. Watercolor outside the lines.
2. Oil paint runs in my veins.
3. Sketch today, masterpiece tomorrow.
4. More paint, less perfection.
5. I draw, therefore I am.
6. Happy little accidents happen daily.
7. Smudges are just love marks from my art.
8. Inking my way through life.
9. My brush dances to its own tune.
10. If you see me clean, I’m out of paint.

Jewelry Making & Beading

1. Bead it like you mean it.
2. I like big beads and I cannot lie.
3. Stringing together happiness, one bead at a time.
4. Jewelry is art you can wear.
5. Beading: because therapy is expensive.
6. If lost, check the bead store.
7. Some collect memories; I collect beads.
8. Beading is my cardio.
9. Life is too short for boring jewelry.
10. More beads, less stress.

Creative Process & Inspiration

1. Inspiration hits at inconvenient times.
2. Chaos is just creativity’s warm-up.
3. Creativity is a work in progress.
4. Start before you’re ready.
5. Don’t wait for inspiration — just start.
6. Creativity thrives in the mess.
7. Done is better than perfect.
8. There’s no such thing as too many ideas.
9. Creativity: where the fun begins and logic ends.
10. You can’t rush art — but you can procrastinate it.

Art & Business

1. Starving artist? No, thriving artist.
2. Yes, it’s handmade. No, it’s not cheaper.
3. Support artists — buy art, not mass production.
4. Art is work. Pay accordingly.
5. Artists don’t work for exposure.
6. Yes, I make art. No, I won’t do it for free.
7. DIY: Because hiring professionals costs money.
8. Just because I enjoy it doesn’t mean I’ll do it for free.
9. I create. You buy. Everyone’s happy.
10. Respect the artist. Respect the craft.

Music & Performing Arts

1. Life’s better with a soundtrack.
2. Dancers don’t sweat, they sparkle.
3. Sing like you mean it.
4. Break a leg — but not my instruments.
5. Music is what feelings sound like.
6. The stage is my happy place.
7. Dance first, think later.
8. Creativity has no volume control.
9. When in doubt, just improvise.
10. Make music, not noise.

Writing & Literature

1. Write your own story.
2. Plot twist: I need more coffee.
3. My brain is 90% plot ideas and 10% snacks.
4. Poetic soul, chaotic mind.
5. Editing is just rewriting with regret.
6. Too many tabs open — some are story ideas.
7. I write. What’s your superpower?
8. Procrastinating? No, I’m world-building.
9. My characters made me do it.
10. Caution: Writer at work — approach with snacks.

Quirky & Funny

1. Oops, I arted.
2. Eat. Sleep. Create. Repeat.
3. More glue, less stress.
4. Why fit in when you can stand out?
5. I make, therefore I am.
6. Art teachers gave up on me; now they buy my work.
7. Creativity: The only mess that’s worth it.
8. Not all who wander are lost… some are just looking for inspiration.
9. This shirt contains 100% recycled creative energy.
10. The best ideas come at 2 AM and disappear by 7 AM.

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS by Warren Feld

Sat, 4/12, 2–3, LET’S MAKE EARRINGS, Maury County Library, 211 W 8th St, Columbia, TN
Register: Call (931) 375–6502

Sat, 4/26, 1–4, PEARL KNOTTING, Hoamsy, Nashville, Fait La Force Brewery,1414 3rd Ave S, Ste 101, Nashville
Register: https://www.hoamsy.com/experiences/detail/z1IFcpOwTimeKRYk1akv

Sat, 6/7, 1–4, WIRE WRAPPED CABOCHON PENDANT, Hoamsy, Nashville, Nashville, Fait La Force Brewery,1414 3rd Ave S, Ste 101, Nashville
Register: https://www.hoamsy.com/experiences/detail/6azTthSZL5h76jCqKjNp

SOME POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:

TYPES OF JEWELRY MAKING and What You Need To Learn

EDUCATIONAL RUBRIC: Learning To Think Like A Jewelry Designer

THE JEWELRY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY: Not Art, Not Craft, But Design!

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WARREN FELD JEWELRY (www.warrenfeldjewelry.com)
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Thanks for being here. I look forward to sharing more resources, tips,
sources of inspiration and insights with you.

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