Jewelry Design Student Postcard: Debbie Bruce
Nova Bronstein Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 9:00AM It is said that it is always hard to be the first--- not so, if you ask Debbie Bruce, the first graduate of Sheffield's Jewelry Design Course!!! If Mrs. Bruce is setting a precedent then it seems that Sheffield's Jewelry Design Program is off to a good start!
Debbie chose the plains of the Serengeti in Africa with its abundant wild life and palette of lush greens, golds and baked earth for the story to ground her graduating collection. Her color scheme also perfectly launches us into fall!! So timely, her collection takes the landscape and translated it into visual motifs-- swirls of forged brass-- and a lush mix of baubles in Golden Jade, Green Aventurine, Phoenix Jasper, Smokey Quartz, mocha and cream colored fresh water pearls and a mix of Swarovski crystals. Taking these materials and elements Debbie mixed and wove them into a myriad of stunning and wearable jewelry silhouettes.
See her story board below!
Final Story Board by Debbie Bruce
Debbie started off being primarily self-taught, occasionally picking up a beginner's beaded jewelry book, but mostly designing by trial and error. As she began to perfect her jewelry techniques her hobby and passion grew. She mentioned that, besides taking the Sheffield Jewelry Design Course, she has taken a couple courses at bead shows to learn some very specific techniques.
How did she get started? Debbie has always had a passion for jewelry. "When I would buy a new outfit, I would immediately head right over to the jewelry counter to find just the right pieces to complement it. As Oprah would say, I had an "Aha!" moment when contemplating in an attempt to find a hobby. Jewelry had always been a vital part of who I am, and it made perfect sense for me to make my own jewelry. I didn't know if I would be any good at it, I just knew that I had to try."
Debbie was thrilled to share her experience. When asked about how she discovered her talent in jewelry making, she replied, " I initially started making jewelry just for myself over ten years ago. As my techniques became more refined people would compliment me on my designs. This is when I knew I had found my niche."
"I love it when I'm out in public and a stranger compliments me on my jewelry, and they are astounded when they learn that I made it."
When asked about her first sale or first break through with her work, Debbie confessed that she already had some experience under her belt. She has been selling her jewelry designs on consignment in a local art gallery for several years. But, often doesn't get to meet her customers face to face. This changed when she started participating in an annual craft show in her hometown. "Once a customer in my booth said she often purchases my jewelry from the art gallery, and she was so excited to finally meet the artist behind the name."
"I think I was more excited than she was, since she made me finally realize that I'm not just a jewelry designer, I'm an artist."
In terms of materials, Debbie enjoys working with wire since it is so easily shaped and gives the jewelry, "wonderful movement". Citing that she, "loves the natural beauty of semi-precious stones". For her working process, she says that inspiration comes from many places. "Sometimes just a single bead will 'speak to me' and will be the idea behind the design."
Regarding the Sheffield Jewelry Design Course, Debbie commented that, "having been a jewelry designer for over ten years, at first I was skeptical that I would learn very much from this course. However, the course made me realize that I was stuck in a rut and the projects helped me to branch out more. I also deeply appreciated the constructive criticism I received. Customers don't often tell you what they don't like about something you've designed, so it was helpful to get some beneficial feedback for a change."
Thank you, Debbie! We are so very proud to call you one of our own!!!
Some of Debbie's collection can also be found on her Etsy shop. Click here to check them out!
Interested in making some of your own smashing jewelry? As a jewelry design instructor at the Sheffield School in New York, I encourage you to take the matter of making into your own hands! Check out the newly launched Jewelry Design Course offered at the Sheffield School. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any other school in the world.
- Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.
- Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.
Reader Comments (61)
aos universitarios -pois tudo podemos , não importa qual o tamanho de seu desafio
lutar,lutar,lutar,esta é a meta dos jovens universitarios
seja qual for sua meta a alcançar não desista voce conseguira
NOSSA EMPRESA COMO TUDO COMEÇOU
sempre trabalhei muito na vida, aos 7 anos ja tinha minha caixa de engraxate em nova friburgo,onde trabalhava o dia inteiro,ou seja desde novo ja existia em mim o empreendorismo,e a vida foi me levando por varios caminhos,trabalhei muito , mais sempre por minha conta,não gostava deste negocio de ser empregado,ter alguem me mandando,tive varios tipos de comercio,todos eles fracassaram,mais não desisti,sabia que algum dia seria abençoado,aos 42 anos apos fazer um pouco de todo na vida, decidi começar a fabricar sabonetes, comum e eroticos,colocava os mesmos para vender em pequenos stands nas lojas de moda intima de nova friburgo ( consignados).,mais as coisas não iam muito bem,vendia pouco,vendia mais os eroticos,vi ali a possibilidade de crescer e comecei a buscar na internet produtos eroticos, e consegui a representação em nova friburgo da empresa menu dos prazeres, onde vendia para os lojistas e acabei por abrir um site somente com a menu dos prazeres,minha primeira venda foi uma felicidade só, hoje representamos varias marcas, sicret,softlove,double bed,chillies,podsex,lovesex,loka sensação, conseguimos com muita garra criar nossa propia marca de cosmeticos e lingerie a sexybom lingerie cosmetics, hoje passados 4 anos de começar o negocio temos predio propio, e tres empresa diferente, por isso quero deixar aqui este relato para todos as pessoas que tem o espirito empreendedor,não desista,voce consegue,se na primeira não der certo,tente a segunda,terceira,quarta e por ai vai,a ideia de desistir não existe no empreendedor, nunca desista,
pois o tempo de deus é diferente do tempo dos homens
seu momento com certeza chegará
um forte abraço
julio henriques
http://www.fabricasex.com