| Jewelry is a multi-million dollar industry, with a | | | | plastic, and even wood. You can make your own |
| number of companies selling diamond necklaces | | | | beads too, if you enjoy working with polymer |
| and engagement rings in every mall in America. | | | | clay. When shopping for beads, look for a variety |
| You can join this industry-maybe not with | | | | of sizes, shapes, and colors so that you can |
| precious metals and jewels-but certainly by | | | | make a number of different designs with your |
| making high-fashion pieces that you can wear with | | | | jewelry. |
| pride. Jewelry making is a great craft project for | | | | Putting the jewelry together can be difficult |
| any crafter, but you need the right tools and | | | | without another tool-a magnifier. Using a |
| supplies to get started. | | | | magnifying glass probably won't work well, since |
| The best investment you can make if you want | | | | you'll need both hands to work on the jewelry, |
| to begin making your own jewelry is a kit. Kits will | | | | but you can by magnifiers on headsets that you |
| include the tools you need to get started, like a | | | | can move in and out of your line of vision as you |
| needle-nosed pliers and clasps. It is important to | | | | need it, or you can use standing magnifiers to |
| realize that beads are just part of what you need | | | | work on your projects. These magnifying tools will |
| in the order of supplies. You'll also need chains for | | | | help your eyes stay strong and keep you from |
| necklaces and bracelets, backings for earrings, | | | | becoming too frustrated. |
| posts to create anything that dangles, and | | | | When you're working with jewelry, use a flat |
| supplies to link it all together. This can be quite | | | | surface so that your beads don't roll around. You |
| pricey, so watch when your craft store has a | | | | can cover anything that is too smooth with felt |
| sale on jewelry supplies and stock up with the | | | | to prevent rolling beads as well. Jewelry ideas can |
| necessities. You should also be able to buy kits | | | | come from a number of sources, and you may |
| that include all of these supplies. | | | | be surprised to find how easily you can mimic |
| Beads are, of course, most fun to buy when it | | | | some of the top designers. You can make pieces |
| comes to making jewelry. Beads are made from | | | | to match every outfit you own and nobody will |
| a variety of things, such as metal, glass, clay, | | | | ever guess that you did this craft yourself! |