What are some steps to becoming a successful jewelry designing?

Hi, this is based on my partner's experience running a successful jewelry making business in Dublin, Ireland (https://www.thisjewellery.com/).

1) Become technically proficient: Jewelry making is a craft and like any other craft it requires practice, practive and more practice. Different metals require a different approach and different techniques to craft, but if you want people to but your procduct it's going to have to be well made. Consider a specific course (my partner studied jewellery making in the National College of Art and Design), or an apprenticeship with a jeweler.

2) Design Collections rather than individual pieces. The design process is long and shoudn't be underestimated. It is also harder to design for collections than for individual pieces but there are several advantages to doing so. Your pieces will have more thought behind them, they will be more cohesive as a gorup (helping to create your brand), and they will be easier to market/launch.

3) Build your online presence: The first thing you need to do online is to build you branding (name, logo, website), Consider hiring professionals in these fields to assist you, a good brand goes a long way. Then you will need to create an online presence on other online streams (instagram, etsy, facebook). Consider your marketplace and which the best areas to focus on are, but a high percentage of sales can be brought in through social media streams with direct marketing.

4) Be Scrappy: Think of any way to make money from what you have and be creative with costs. My partner's company puts on jewelery making courses in Dublin for instance. You don't have to own your space, consider renting desks or co-owning with groups of artists. Make bespoke pieces. Offer mates rates if they share the piece on social media and tag you. Anything you can think of to generate more revenue, marketing, etc.