Jewelry Making

7 Responses to “Jewelry Making?”

1. Nonpartisan Says:
   February 16th, 2010 at 9:17 pm

   Soldering Torch is a must. To get supplies a local crafts store will have most of what you need.

   Things like metal your going to have to look online most likely.

   Barns & Nobles have quite a bit of books on this subject. Nonpartisan

2. cynthia jt Says:
   February 18th, 2010 at 7:12 am

   if there is a Michael’s craft store or a Hobby Lobby near you that is a great place to start. They have everything including how-to books. That is how I started. cynthia jt

3. Shane Says:
   February 19th, 2010 at 10:56 am

   I used to make jewelry in high school, but haven’t made anything in years. It is very hard to get into it without a source. I will say that my issue may be different than yours. I can’t afford the supplies. You need a tank, tumbler, and lots of tools. It doesn’t hurt to start small, and you may be able to find classes or possibly examples online. I will say you shouldn’t give up on this desire. It is a very rewarding hobby and could bring in some extra cash if you’re looking to sell. Good luck and I hope you enjoy jeweling. Shane

4. Millie Says:
   February 22nd, 2010 at 6:35 pm

   Nowadays having YouTube you don’t need to take lessons, check these videos: Millie

5. super girl Says:
   February 24th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

   Well you can go to your local craft store and get books or just google it. There are tons of web sites out there to get books and supplies. I too learned from a book and it was the only book I had purchased. I got it through that book of the month club. I think it was well worth the purchase. Any instructions will do though. There are basic instructions all over the internet as well.

   As far as getting supplies, you can go to:

   Firemountaingems.com (At firemountaingems you get a free gift with every order. Its great!), Anybeads.com (at anybeads they have a small selection but the beads can often be purchased for $1. I just bought every color they had for $1 each and I was very happy with the beads) Artbeads.com, fusionbeads.com and like I said, Google, and TONS of others will pop up

   If you get a chance to get the Swarovski beads, which are sold at almost every beading site, these are the best and the most beautiful. They are a little expensive but depending on what site you get them from. You can go to to get them or possibly find them cheaper by google. Type in: Online beading supplies and a whole bunch will pop up. Be choosy about what sites you pick though. Some are a LOT more expensive than others. Also look at the quantity you get for the price.

   You can get ideas by doing the same thing. Either type it in the search box and get the full sites or type it in and click on images. You can view other jewelry that people have made. Some actually let you download the designs and instructions for the jewelry.

   Another thing to remember. Don’t buy all your supplies at one place. Some sites can offer better deals at different times and you can also find some things at places like WalMart, Joanne Fabrics, and check out your local phone book. There may be a local crafting supply store where you can buy this stuff really cheap. I go to a little place called Pat Catans. It’s in Pa. But I am sure there are places all over. super girl

6. riversconfluence Says:
   February 26th, 2010 at 6:38 pm

   Michael’s craft’s website has videos, and has finished products for you to see. I used it when I could not figure out how to crimp off the necklace so it will hold. Hobby Lobby and Joann’s fabrics are great sources for jewelry and equipment.
   Basic equipment is available on Michael’s website, there are a bunch of other jewelry and bead websites. My fellow answerers gave you the ones I know. And go to the bookstore websites, that is where I got one of my beading idea books. I used Amazon.
   You will need the following basic equipment: and these things come in a kit, or separate and the cheap ones work just as well as the expensive.
   Jewelry pliers: the pliers are shaped like two cones
   Jewelry wire cutters, the blade is on the side
   A Crimper
   a lay out board, to lay the design on something that will not allow the beads to roll
   That is it. There are other things for the advanced beader, like a jig to make fancy wire designs on, and a spinner that loads tiny beads on a wire in a hurry.
   After this, it is all about the beads, and clasps, and something to string them on, and something to keep them from falling off the string.
   You will need: basic necklace:
   Beadalon wire
   crimp beads
   the clasp of your choice
   the beads.
   Fancier basic necklace: buy the the above and
   crimp bead covers
   wire guardians
   1. So all you do is buy beads you like, and string them on the Beadalon, using your lay out board. Leave at least 2 inches of extra wire on each end. Pick them up and try them on to see if they fit your neck, and look right with the clothes you plan to wear. Measuring the wire around you neck is not accurate, because the bigger the beads are, the more wire it takes.
   2. Pick one end of the necklace to work on, leave the other end on the board. Thread a crimp bead on the wire, then a wire guardian, then slip the clasp into the wire and guardian.
   3.thread the end of the wire back down through the crimp bead, and down through a couple beads. Pull the wire taught, and leave enough room around the crimp bead to crimp it off and apply a crimp bead cover.
   4.Crimp the bead, and pull on it to make sure it is really crimped. Hide the end of the wire in the beads, or cut it of flush with the bottom of a bead.
   5.Apply crimp cover.
   6. pick up the other end of the beads, hold it in the air, and make sure all the wire is covered, and the beads do not have any gaps, and the the wire end stays hid.
   7. repeat on the other end.
   My friend showed me how, and I gave a repeat demonstration immediately. I’ve had to call her once for crimp bead info, otherwise, all my designs are mine, and anything beyond string and crimp, I’ve learned on my own.
   PS you can make a necklace with out the wire guardian and the crimp covers, but these look so professional, and the guide makes it so easy to pull up the wire. Worth the price tag of them

   And dangle earrings are a cinch. Buy jewelry pins [they do not have a sharp end] and buy the part that goes in your ear, choose from wire or post. String the beads on the pin use the head of the pin on the bottom to hold the beads. Twist the other end into a loop with your pliers, slip the loop of the post or wire into the almost closed pin loop, close the loop, and you can wear the earrings.
   They also sell special pins that have pretty designs instead of just a pin head.
   This is just the basics, look through a bead website or catalogue, there are things to make a pin with, make fancier earrings, and on and on. A bracelet -do it the same as a necklace, only smaller.
   and you can string beads on leather, string, rope, elastic, and on and on. riversconfluence

7. reeniebug13 Says:
   March 1st, 2010 at 2:17 pm

   super girl had some great advice!! i also make jewelry and i go between 2 sites, firemountaingems.com and fusionbeads.com firemountain charges shipping but prices are sometimes a little cheaper than fusion, which has free shipping. there are also some things i’ve found cheaper at michael’s and joann’s. definately watch for sales and compare pricing, start small. choose a few small things and concentrate on perfecting them before adding more items to your line. that worked wonders for me! good luck!! reeniebug13

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