Beads and jewels


Start a Work at Home Jewelry Business

Jewelry making is an ideal way to startafford one pair, get memory wire shears.
earning a little extra money from home. YouThese are designed to make clean cuts on
don't need to spend a lot to get going.tough memory wire, so can also be used for
Initially your circle of friends will be yoursofter  wires.
customers. Your friends will tell their
friends, who will tell their friends, and so2. Chain-nose pliers (sometimes called
on  and  so  on.needle-nose pliers) - Very versatile for
picking up and grasping small items, bending
Though you may start with a kit or two foreye pins, closing jumps rings, even closing
the learning experience, you can't rely oncrimp  beads.
kits if you want to make money selling your
work. People will pay more for one-of-a-kind3. Round-nose pliers - Used for creating
pieces. Plus, the mark-up on kits is quiteloops on beaded head and eye pins. Can also
high because another artist has done thebe used for winding your own jump rings and
design work for you. In other words, you canas the second pliers you'll need for closing
both charge more and keep your costs lower ifjump  rings.
you design your work yourself. This is how to
maximize  your  profit.4. Optional pliers - Wire-looping pliers
which have several graduated circumferences
A good place to start is by flipping throughto allow you to form perfectly uniform jump
magazines and catalogues. Clip jewelry photosrings and loops (in place of the round-nose
that appeal to you, along with pricepliers mentioned above). Crimping pliers
information if available. Get a notebook andwhich have little notches to allow you to
fill  it  with  the  pictures.both flatten a crimp bead and then bend it to
form a rounded finished look (instead of the
You're not going to copy them. This is justflat crimp you get using the chain-nose
to give you ideas and get your creativepliers).
juices flowing. The pictures will also come
in handy when you can't quite figure out howAs for materials, I recommend some assortment
to do something you have in mind - kind ofpacks of beads in coordinating colors, some
like  your  own  illustrated  how-to  book.decorative metal spacers, seed beads in both
silver and gold (These can serve as spacers
There are two easy to learn jewelry makingand beautifully set off your other beads.),
methods to consider: beading and wiretube-shaped crimp beads (Buy the best you can
sculpting,  also  know  as  wire  wrapping.find - these are what hold it all together!),
head  and  eye  pins.
Beading requires little skill other than a
good sense of design and the materials areOther than that, let your choice of project
inexpensive.be your guide. You might want some silver or
pewter charms. For earrings, you would need
Wire sculpting or wire wrapping is not thatear posts or wires or clip-on bases. For
much harder to learn, but since you arebracelets, you need memory wire or stretchy
dealing with gold, silver and genuinecord or beading wire and clasps. For
gemstones, the materials cost a bit more. Butnecklaces, memory wire or beading wire,
the  markup  is  much  higher.clasps  and  perhaps  pendants.
Tools  and  MaterialsA bead board is a good idea too. Its ruled
tracks help you measure and lay out designs
Here's a list of tools you will need tofor bracelets and necklaces; as well as to
start:corral the beads you are working with at a
given time.
1. Jewelers' wire cutters - If you can only



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