Jewelry Making 101

Making your own jewelry is not only a fun hobby, but it can prove to be profitable with hard work and the right entrepreneurial skills. First play around with different beads and gems to determine what type of style and look you are drawn to. Practice making jewelry, and then spend time to really hone your craft.

After you make several pieces you’re proud of, show them off by wearing the pieces around—maybe you might network and find some interested buyers. Go to your local galleries, or rent booths at art festivals to see how your items sell. Open an Etsy shop to sell your items to a wider range of customers. Who knows where that could lead?

Even if you don’t think your jewelry pieces are Etsy-shop standard yet, practice, and give your family and friends beautiful one of a kind jewelry you hand make for them as gifts!

Before you venture off to make your beautiful custom pieces, you need the right tools to get you started. Here is a list of the basic tools and materials you need to start making your own jewelry:

Tools needed:
    • Round nose pliers – These are used for making rounded and looped wires.
    • Flat nose pliers – These pliers make it easier to grip jewelry and hold the wire while shaping it with another set of pliers.
    • Chain nose pliers – These pliers are used for opening and closing jump rings and for gripping wire. They also are useful for getting into small spaces.
    • Wire cutters – These seamlessly cut the wires for your jewelry in a crisp fashion. Make sure to put the flat side of your cutter closest to the work for a closer cut.
    • Crimping pliers – These are essential to secure a clasp on the end of the beading or to keep beads in position where the wire is exposed between beads.
    • Beading needles – Use these to string your beads on the wires.
    • Bead stoppers – Handy tools that keep the beads in place on one side of the piece while you work on the other. This way, the side you worked so hard on doesn’t slide right off when you go to work on the other side.
    • A ruler – Make sure you can see the numbers clearly to get the exact measurement needed every time.
    • Beading dish – Used to organize your beads by color, shape , size, or element. Just a clear, plastic dish works fine!
    • You don’t have to spend a ton on these items, especially when first starting out. You can usually find low-cost pliers and beading dishes at your local hobby store. A pack of beading needles will hold you over for a while, and rulers are cheap—you might already have one in your home!
Materials needed:
    • Beading wire – Beading wire comes in all different sizes, strands, and diameters. When just beginning, we suggest working with a larger strand count while you get the hang of handling the wire. It also helps to use a neutral color of wire.
    • Beading thread – It is recommended to buy both a white and black spool of thread.
    • Crimping covers – While optional, these will give your jewelry a professional finish and keep the wire from scraping skin.
    • Clasps – These are used when making necklaces and bracelets. You can choose from the lobster claw style or the spring style.
    • Chain tabs – These are for the opposite end of the clasp on necklaces and bracelets. Attach the small opening to your work, and the other, larger, opening is to clasp the hook.
    • Bead tips – These are used for finishing jewelry strung on a beading thread.
    • Ear wires – If you have no interest in making earrings, you won’t need these, but if you plan to experiment with ear wires, these are an absolute must! Be sure to play around with the different styles and looks of the ear wires.
    • Headpins – Again, these are necessary when you are making earrings. String beads onto the headpin, make a loop, and attach to your ear wire.
    • Be sure to download or create the standard jewelry size charts, as each piece of jewelry differs between men’s, women’s, children’s, and babies’ sizes.
Once you have all the tools, you’re ready for the fun part! Search our choice of gems, pearls, metal beads and charms to start making beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces!

Let us know what inspires your creativity! What are your favorite gems and metals; what do you think pairs well together? Share your jewelry-making success stories below!
October 25, 2015 — Arun Yadav
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