| Jewelry making is an ideal way to start
| |
| | shears. These are designed to make clean
|
| earning a little extra money from home.
| |
| | cuts on tough memory wire, so can also be
|
| You don't need to spend a lot to get
| |
| | used for softer wires.
|
| going. Initially your circle of friends
| |
| | 2. Chain-nose pliers (sometimes called
|
| will be your customers. Your friends will
| |
| | needle-nose pliers) - Very versatile for
|
| tell their friends, who will tell their
| |
| | picking up and grasping small items,
|
| friends, and so on and so on.
| |
| | bending eye pins, closing jumps rings,
|
| Though you may start with a kit or two
| |
| | even closing crimp beads.
|
| for the learning experience, you can't
| |
| | 3. Round-nose pliers - Used for creating
|
| rely on kits if you want to make money
| |
| | loops on beaded head and eye pins. Can
|
| selling your work. People will pay more
| |
| | also be used for winding your own jump
|
| for one-of-a-kind pieces. Plus, the
| |
| | rings and as the second pliers you'll
|
| mark-up on kits is quite high because
| |
| | need for closing jump rings.
|
| another artist has done the design work
| |
| | 4. Optional pliers - Wire-looping pliers
|
| for you. In other words, you can both
| |
| | which have several graduated
|
| charge more and keep your costs lower if
| |
| | circumferences to allow you to form
|
| you design your work yourself. This is
| |
| | perfectly uniform jump rings and loops
|
| how to maximize your profit.
| |
| | (in place of the round-nose pliers
|
| A good place to start is by flipping
| |
| | mentioned above). Crimping pliers which
|
| through magazines and catalogues. Clip
| |
| | have little notches to allow you to both
|
| jewelry photos that appeal to you, along
| |
| | flatten a crimp bead and then bend it to
|
| with price information if available. Get
| |
| | form a rounded finished look (instead of
|
| a notebook and fill it with the pictures.
| |
| | the flat crimp you get using the
|
| You're not going to copy them. This is
| |
| | chain-nose pliers).
|
| just to give you ideas and get your
| |
| | As for materials, I recommend some
|
| creative juices flowing. The pictures
| |
| | assortment packs of beads in coordinating
|
| will also come in handy when you can't
| |
| | colors, some decorative metal spacers,
|
| quite figure out how to do something you
| |
| | seed beads in both silver and gold (These
|
| have in mind - kind of like your own
| |
| | can serve as spacers and beautifully set
|
| illustrated how-to book.
| |
| | off your other beads.), tube-shaped crimp
|
| There are two easy to learn jewelry
| |
| | beads (Buy the best you can find - these
|
| making methods to consider: beading and
| |
| | are what hold it all together!), head and
|
| wire sculpting, also know as wire
| |
| | eye pins.
|
| wrapping.
| |
| | Other than that, let your choice of
|
| Beading requires little skill other than
| |
| | project be your guide. You might want
|
| a good sense of design and the materials
| |
| | some silver or pewter charms. For
|
| are inexpensive.
| |
| | earrings, you would need ear posts or
|
| Wire sculpting or wire wrapping is not
| |
| | wires or clip-on bases. For bracelets,
|
| that much harder to learn, but since you
| |
| | you need memory wire or stretchy cord or
|
| are dealing with gold, silver and genuine
| |
| | beading wire and clasps. For necklaces,
|
| gemstones, the materials cost a bit more.
| |
| | memory wire or beading wire, clasps and
|
| But the markup is much higher.
| |
| | perhaps pendants.
|
| Tools and Materials
| |
| | A bead board is a good idea too. Its
|
| Here's a list of tools you will need to
| |
| | ruled tracks help you measure and lay out
|
| start:
| |
| | designs for bracelets and necklaces; as
|
| 1. Jewelers' wire cutters - If you can
| |
| | well as to corral the beads you are
|
| only afford one pair, get memory wire
| |
| | working with at a given time.
|
