How to Create Handmade Jewelry for Your Summer Wardrobe

There is no better accessory to go with your summer wardrobe than jewelry. By saving some extra money on jewelry purchases, you can create your own jewelry to match your favorite summer outfits. Also, your creations will be original, and won't be the same as other jewelry wearers. By purchasing a few of your favorite summer colors and some string, you can bead your own line of summer jewelry in no time. Read on to learn how to create handmade jewelry for your summer wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

• Favorite colored beads
• Beading string (can be elastic if you want it to stretch)
• Creativity
• Beads that have colors or design to match your summer wardrobe

Instructions

1. 

   Look through your summer wardrobe to find some of your favorite outfits. Take note of the colors and patterns. Decide on what kind of color scheme you would like to design for your jewelry.

2. 

   Flip through some handmade jewelry magazines to get ideas and inspirations for your designs. You can create simple hand strung bracelets on stretch cord or beading wire with just a few easy steps. If you like to follow trends, you may read through some of your favorite clothing catalogs to see what types of jewelry that people are wearing such as chunky jewelry or smaller beaded designs.

3. 

   Go visit your favorite craft shop or retail store. Try stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels or even the craft section at Wal-Mart. Find beads that have similar colors or patterns to your favorite summer outfits. You can also look for summer bead designs such as flower lampwork beads, butterflies, or beads that have little summer prints on them such as suns or beaches. Make sure that you purchase enough beads and string to create the number of jewelry pieces that you want.

4. Measure your wrists to see what size of string that you need for your designs. Leave enough at the end to either tie it off or to add a hook on it. For beginning jewelry makers, it is easier to start with stretch cord so that you only have to tie it in a knot.

5. 

   Sort out the colors and designs of the beads that you want to make each piece of jewelry. Begin by stringing your beads onto the cord to create the kind of pattern that you would like to match your favorite summer outfits. To make sure your design matches, you can have your favorite outfits on hand to model them with your wardrobe. Once your beads have been strung, tie the string in a knot on stretch cord, or add a hook to the bead wire.

6. 

   Enjoy your new beaded designs and watch as you get compliments for your creativity and original creations. You might just start having friends ask you to create jewelry for their outfits as well.