PROCESS
A little sneak peak of the design and jewelry making process of Aviv Jewelry
Every piece of Aviv Jewelry starts with a hand drawn design, usually inspired by something I have seen or dreamed of. Admittedly, I am self-taught so my hand drawn designs are not very refined.
I start with simple geometric shapes that I try to combine in a meaningful manner. I use the old fashion geometric templates that we use in geometry class.
As with many makers and creators, a lot of designs make sense in my head at first, but not necessarily on paper. When I create a design that I think could be a good fit for my next pieces of jewelry, there are many factors I need to take into consideration:
- How big is it going to be? The dimensions affect the price of the final piece, so the bigger the piece, the higher the price. I try to have a price range that is reasonable and approachable for most customers so not all large pieces make it into production.
- How small is it going to be? Smaller pieces with a lower price range can attract a wider range of customers, but it is also difficult to obtain details on smaller surfaces, so smaller is not always better.
- How "different" is it going to be? While most people are attracted geometric jewelry, there are some shapes that "speak" to most people, while others not so much. Also most people like to look at weird or unusual looking things, but they don't like to wear them. So a new piece has to be different, but not too crazy.
- Can the same piece be used to make pendants and earrings? Versatility is something that all creators love, because it allows to expand your inventory without being overwhelmed with too many options that you may not be able to fulfill.
All of the factors play a role in the final piece that makes into a new collection.
After I finalize the design by hand, I then convert it into an SVG file. Such files can be further manipulated and "corrected" to adjust the final piece to the perfect combination of weight, size and versatility.
I then send the final SVG file to a lab, where they print a prototype in brass. I always do this first because brass is an inexpensive metal, but it's similar in hardness to silver and gold plated sheets of metal.
Once I'm happy with the prototype, I then proceed with creating the final pieces in (usually) three options: yellow gold, rose gold and silver.
Here's the prototype and final piece of the Sydney necklace.
Here's the BTS of the Moon Phases necklace:
If you would like to see more behind the scenes, head over to my IG page (@avivjewelryseattle) and check out my reels.