How to Make Jewelry at Home

You can save money, and have fun, by making your own jewelry.

You have an eye for fashion and enjoy crafts. You've noticed that jewelry is sometimes overpriced in stores. Why spend the extra money to accessorize? You can save money, and have fun, by making your own jewelry.

Things You'll Need

• Jewelry ideas
• Sketchbook
• Workspace
• Jewelry pliers
• Jewelry wire cutters
• Jewelry findings, such as clasps, necklace connectors, earring parts, headpins, wire or crimp beads
• Beads
• Storage containers

Instructions

1. Figure out what type of jewelry you want to make. Write down your ideas and draw sketches of your designs in a sketchbook. Look at jewelry in magazines. Go to craft shows to see handcrafted jewelry. Visit museums and get inspired by art and historic jewelry. You can find inspiration in nature by taking a walk. Keep the photos and magazine clippings in a file folder or scrapbook for future reference. Take your sketchbook everywhere and sketch your ideas as they come to you.

2. Take a jewelry-making class to learn techniques and find out what type of supplies are needed. You can find jewelry-making classes at local jewelry-supply stores, the YMCA and community colleges. Online courses are another way to learn jewelry- making skills.

3. Designate an area of your home for workspace. Jewelry-making requires many supplies that will take up space. You also need an area to spread out and work on your jewelry projects. Find a comfortable, well-lit area of your home to design jewelry and store your supplies. Set up a large table that allows you to have plenty of room for numerous projects. Get a chair that will support your back.

4. Find a good jewelry-supply resource. These stores may be listed as "bead shops." Do not limit yourself to the local suppliers. Look online for jewelry supply stores. Many online suppliers offer discounts for bulk beads. Shop around for the best quality and price.

5. Buy quality beads and tools. Shopping at local jewelry stores will allow you to examine beads, components and tools in person. Online you will have to rely on the item description and photo posted by the merchant. Ask a jewelry-making class instructor for recommendations for places to buy quality beads and supplies. Find out if they recommend particular brands for tools, such as wire cutters and pliers.

6. Make a list of the type of jewelry supplies you will need for your jewelry projects. Look through a jewelry catalog before you go to the store to make your list of supplies. Common jewelry-making supplies include beads, wire, thread, cord, jewelry pliers, jewelry wire cutters, crimp beads and clasps. Get an understanding of the components you need for your project before you shop. The components you need for making a type of jewelry are called "findings." Typical earring findings are ear studs, hook ear-wires, ear-wire clutch or ear-nuts. A variety of necklace and bracelet findings are available. You can choose from many different styles of pendants, connectors and clasps. Brooches need mountings. You can buy a setting for a ring or make your own.

7. Keep your jewelry-making supplies organized in storage containers. You will be able to work faster and find the beads and components you need if you are organized. Jewelry-supply stores have special storage containers with small compartments for beads and findings.

8. Set a jewelry-making schedule so you have time daily, or weekly, to work on projects. This can be your time to relax and be creative.

Tips & Warnings

• Gemstone beads are available in grades. Grade A beads are near perfect with the most shine, no flaws and better cuts. Grade B beads are a good quality with few flaws. Grade C and lower will have less shine and more flaws.

• Take classes to learn different jewelry-making techniques and keep in touch with new design ideas.

• Use jewelry-polishing clothes to clean sterling-silver chains and findings.

• Keep sterling-silver jewelry in plastic bags to prevent tarnishing.

• Wear protective glasses when you cut wire. Small bits of wire can fly in the air during cutting.

• Keep beads and all jewelry-making supplies out of the reach of small children. The beads and components can pose a choking hazard. The pliers and wire cutters can pinch or cut.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish