Permanent Jewelry Parties: How to Plan One

Group bookings are a large share of what permanent jewelry studios do, and the format suits it: everyone chooses something slightly different, it takes a few minutes each, and everyone leaves wearing it. It works as a bachelorette activity, a bridal shower, a milestone birthday, or a team event.

Two ways to do it

Either the group goes to the studio, or the artist comes to you. In-studio is simpler and usually cheaper. Mobile means the artist brings the welder and a chain selection to a house, a venue, or a hotel suite — better for a party that's already happening somewhere, and the reason "mobile permanent jewelry" is one of the most searched phrases in the category. Find mobile artists.

Minimums and cost

Most studios set a minimum for a private booking — commonly a number of guests, a minimum total spend, or a flat booking fee that comes off the final bill. Mobile visits often add a travel fee based on distance. Per-person prices are usually the same as walking in, so the minimum is buying the artist's exclusive time rather than marking up the jewelry.

Timing

Budget around fifteen minutes per person, including choosing. Eight guests is roughly two hours. Groups larger than about twelve are worth splitting or asking whether the studio can send two artists — one welder is a queue.

Questions worth asking before you book

• What's the minimum — guests, spend, or a booking fee?
• Is there a travel fee, and what radius is included?
• Which metals will you bring? Gold-filled only, or solid gold too?
• How is payment handled — one bill, or does each guest pay for their own?
• What happens if someone's chain breaks later — is there a re-weld policy?
• Do you need a table, power, or particular lighting?

A note on group photos

Ask the artist before posting them tagged — most actively want it, but a few have arrangements with venues. It costs nothing to check, and studios that get tagged tend to look after repeat groups.

Studios that take group bookings are marked in the directory. Browse party and event studios.