Beads and jewels


Start a Work at Home Jewelry Business

Jewelry making is an ideal way to startshears. These are designed to make clean
earning a little extra money from home.cuts on tough memory wire, so can also
You don't need to spend a lot to getbe used for softer wires.
going. Initially your circle of friends2. Chain-nose pliers (sometimes called
will be your customers. Your friendsneedle-nose pliers) - Very versatile for
will tell their friends, who will tellpicking up and grasping small items,
their friends, and so on and so on.bending eye pins, closing jumps rings,
Though you may start with a kit or twoeven closing crimp beads.
for the learning experience, you can't3. Round-nose pliers - Used for creating
rely on kits if you want to make moneyloops on beaded head and eye pins. Can
selling your work. People will pay morealso be used for winding your own jump
for one-of-a-kind pieces. Plus, therings and as the second pliers you'll
mark-up on kits is quite high becauseneed for closing jump rings.
another artist has done the design work4. Optional pliers - Wire-looping pliers
for you. In other words, you can bothwhich have several graduated
charge more and keep your costs lower ifcircumferences to allow you to form
you design your work yourself. This isperfectly uniform jump rings and loops
how to maximize your profit.(in place of the round-nose pliers
A good place to start is by flippingmentioned above). Crimping pliers which
through magazines and catalogues. Cliphave little notches to allow you to both
jewelry photos that appeal to you, alongflatten a crimp bead and then bend it to
with price information if available. Getform a rounded finished look (instead of
a notebook and fill it with thethe flat crimp you get using the
pictures.chain-nose pliers).
You're not going to copy them. This isAs for materials, I recommend some
just to give you ideas and get yourassortment packs of beads in
creative juices flowing. The picturescoordinating colors, some decorative
will also come in handy when you can'tmetal spacers, seed beads in both silver
quite figure out how to do something youand gold (These can serve as spacers and
have in mind - kind of like your ownbeautifully set off your other beads.),
illustrated how-to book.tube-shaped crimp beads (Buy the best
There are two easy to learn jewelryyou can find - these are what hold it
making methods to consider: beading andall together!), head and eye pins.
wire sculpting, also know as wireOther than that, let your choice of
wrapping.project be your guide. You might want
Beading requires little skill other thansome silver or pewter charms. For
a good sense of design and the materialsearrings, you would need ear posts or
are inexpensive.wires or clip-on bases. For bracelets,
Wire sculpting or wire wrapping is notyou need memory wire or stretchy cord or
that much harder to learn, but since youbeading wire and clasps. For necklaces,
are dealing with gold, silver andmemory wire or beading wire, clasps and
genuine gemstones, the materials cost aperhaps pendants.
bit more. But the markup is much higher.A bead board is a good idea too. Its
Tools and Materialsruled tracks help you measure and lay
Here's a list of tools you will need toout designs for bracelets and necklaces;
start:as well as to corral the beads you are
1. Jewelers' wire cutters - If you canworking with at a given time.
only afford one pair, get memory wire



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