Looking for a unique gift
to give or something special
to spice up a favorite outfit?
It’s quite easy to make
your own jewelry which you
can wear yourself or give
as gifts. Making jewelry is
a great way to express yourself
and make for unique gifts
that don’t cost a bundle!
In order to make jewelry,
however, you will need to
invest in some basic tools
and of course, the beads and
findings. Once you’ve
made the initial investment,
though, the tools can be used
over and over for all your
jewelry projects. If you are
careful and don’t go
overboard with your bead buying,
this doesn’t have to
be an expensive hobby. On
the other hand, you can use
expensive components and get
a designer necklace for a
fraction of the cost.
First off, you need to decide
what type of jewelry you want
to make. Do you want to use
semi precious gems like turquoise,
garnet and amethyst? Will
you be putting a lot of bali
sterling silver beads in your
designs? Maybe you love lampwork
beads and want to design your
own jewelry using beads? How
about crystals and pearls?
Perhaps you are attracted
to the precise methods of
working with seed beads? Or
maybe you want to include
all the above in the jewelry
you make!
In addition to the materials
you want to use, you also
need to narrow down a method
of construction. At first,
I recommend that you focus
on making one style. This
will help keep down the cost
of the supplies as well as
help you to become an expert
in that style of jewelry making.
Once you have one method down,
you can branch out and try
some others.
The easiest way to get started
is to make your own memory
wire jewelry. Memory wire
is flexible wire that holds
it shape when released. It
comes in bracelet, necklace
and ring sizes. It’s
quite easy to use and you
don’t have to worry
about sizing. You simply cut
a length of wire to suit,
close off one end by making
a circle with pliers, string
the beads on and then close
the other end. Add a little
garnish by hanging a beaded
dangle off the end and you
are done! The necklaces made
with memory wire are nice
because they sit tight against
the throat and bracelets can
be made with multiple wraps
for a thick chic look.
Another method for making
your own jewelry include stringing
the beads on a flexible coated
wire (tiger tail or beadalon)
and crimping the ends shut
with special beads and a crimp
tool This allows for more
flexibility in design than
a memory wire piece but is
a bit harder to make and the
crimping does take a bit of
practice. With this method,
you will most definitely need
a beading board to lay out
your design on as you want
to be sure it is symmetrical.
If you like the look of cascading
necklaces and charm bracelets,
you can make jewelry using
lengths of chain. You can
buy the chain in sterling,
silver plated or gold filled
and cut it to suit. Use headpins
to attach the beads and finish
off the piece with a clasp.
If you do decide to start
making your own jewelry, you
might need to rein in your
impulse to buy every pretty
bead and jewelry making component
out there. Make a plan of
exactly what you want to make
and purchase only those things
necessary for that design.
If you don’t you might
end up with a closet overflowing
with excess beads like me!
