By: Lee Dobbins
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!
About the Author:
Lee Dobbins is a jewelry designer and owner of Artisan Jewelry Online where you can learn more about making your own jewelry.
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Rena Klingenberg
Teaching jewelry making workshops is a fun and easy market niche, with
the opportunity to earn good money by sharing something you love to do.
You’ll find a ready supply of students waiting to learn from you;
currently there’s a big demand for jewelry workshops and classes.
Many people are thrilled with the idea of creating jewelry, but don’t
want to invest in the supplies until they’ve tried it. Or they may want
to add a new jewelry making skill to their repertoire, or simply enjoy
socializing while they create something beautiful to wear.
Teaching is a good way to keep money coming in during the times of year
when sales are slower for your finished jewelry. You can even choose to
limit your workshops to only those months of the year when you’re not
busy selling your own jewelry at shows.
Teaching opportunies abound. A few examples of places to hold workshops
include your own studio; in local art, craft, or bead shops; in active
retirement communities; in schools or for homeschooling groups; at
birthday parties; for women’s clubs; at lapidary clubs; in community
colleges; and at RV parks.
You can put together a variety of jewelry kits that your students can
purchase from you to use at your workshops, or bring an open selection
of supplies for them to choose their own components.
However, the more choices you make available, the longer your students
will take to select their components. Your workshops can be much easier
for you as the instructor if you simply provide a variety of kits
containing all the parts to make something.
The more jewelry making workshops you teach, the more people will ask
you to teach. Your students will want to make more jewelry, or they’ll
ask you to do a workshop for a group they’re in, or to lead a
jewelry-making session with their Girl Scouts.
Your teaching opportunities tend to snowball once you get started.
You probably won’t run out of workshop ideas, because your students
will always let you know what they want to make next, or someone will
have heard about your through the grapevine and contact you to ask if
you can teach them how to make something special.
Here is a list of potential jewelry workshop students - groups who are VERY interested in what you have to offer them:
Girl Scouts
Women’s Clubs / Organizations
City Parks and Recreation
Local Art Galleries
Local Craft Stores
Local Bead Shops
Needlework Shops
Local Lapidaries
Lapidary Club
Women’s Craft Groups
Women’s Church Groups
Country Clubs
Community Colleges
Private Schools
Home-school Groups
Active Retirement Communities
Activity Centers
Women’s Home Parties
Spouses’ Activity at a Conference
Cruise Ship Activity
Summer Day Camps
Mentally / Physically Challenged
Veterans’ Groups
YMCA’s
Retired People’s Organizations
Adult Education Centers
After-School Care Programs
Vacation Resorts
RV Parks
This list should get you started; it’s just a general list, and with a
little brainstorming you’ll probably come up with some great ideas for
the area where you live. Every region has its own culture, with lots of
possibilities for specific jewelry making workshops!
Keep your eyes open and be creative, and you’ll begin to find jewelry
workshop students everywhere! And once you get started, ask your
students and everyone else you know for suggestions on other groups who
would be interested in a workshop.
Word-of-mouth publicity will soon bring you all the new students and opportunities you can keep up with!
About the Author:
Learn more about teaching profitable jewelry making workshops at jewelry workshop success tips by Rena Klingenberg.
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Owen Walcher
Not only can you look great by making your own beaded jewelry you can
also have a blast while you create to your hearts content. The first
creation you should consider making is a beaded necklace for its
elegance and simplicity. The second creation you should consider making
is some beaded earrings.
Before you begin go to a bead or craft store so you can buy some
supplies. The only things you really need to start are some thread or
wire and some inexpensive beads. Always start with the inexpensive
beads to learn with then move onto your favorite gem stones once you
have the basics down.
Let’s make a beaded necklace first. In the bead or craft store buy some
thread or wire, beads, two crimps and a clasp. Next use more thread
than you will actually need so you will have enough to attach the clasp
with. Layout your beads on the table in the desired pattern you wish to
make on the necklace. Now you can string the beads onto the middle of
the thread or wire in your desired pattern. Use a piece of tape at the
end of each pattern to hold your place. You can also use a spacer bead
instead of the tape.
At each end slide one of the crimps onto the thread or wire. Add one
half of the clasp, then string the thread back through the crimp and
use needle nose pliers and press firmly on the crimp. Now you can
remove the tape.
Now you can wear your creation and start all over again to make more.
Once you have the knack you will never run out of ideas. So pursue your
new found hobby with all the energy you can muster. You’ll find it not
only fun but also a great way to learn different avenues of self
expression.
Next let’s make some beaded earrings. First here are the supplies you
will need: 2 head pins ( or eye pins as they are sometimes called), 4
spacers, 4 beads, and 2 fishhook ear wires. Next you will begin by
putting the beads on in a simple pattern: bead, spacer, bead, spacer,
like that. Ok, now follow closely, make a loop right above the top
bead: using needle nose pliers, bend the pin at a 90 degree angle. Then
using round nose pliers, form a loop. Wrap the wire on the other side
of the loop, back around the wire (in between the loop and the bead).
Now cut with wire cutters. Next, take the fish hook ear wire, and open
the loop. Attach your drop and close the loop. Repeat for the second
earring.
Limitless adventures — that is what you’ll have now that you have
mastered the first step in creativity. You’ll amaze yourself the more
you allow yourself to develop and play. Don’t put restraints on your
designs, instead just let them flow freely. Even if something seems
like a long shot take a chance — what have you got to lose? Never
again will you be afraid to walk into a new adventure. Fun and
excitement is what you carry inside of you now. Watch it explode and
mature as you allow yourself to develop your own style and grace.
Remember today is the first day of the rest of your creative life.
About the Author:
Owen Walcher is a freelance writer, writing helpful articles about topics such as Jewelry. You can find an alternate version of this Making Beaded Jewelry article here.
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com