Jewelry Making Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-15-2022

Before you begin making jewelry or beading projects, gather some basic tools and supplies and become familiar with recommended lengths for necklaces, bracelets, and more. Consider how to personalize your bead work by using birthstones (precious or semiprecious) or their crystal equivalents. And when you need help — with design inspiration, supply sources, or technique — take advantage of the rich online resources created by other jewelry-making fans.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Crimping is simply squeezing or flattening specially designed beads and tubes to secure jewelry elements (like clasps or beads). Usually, you use crimping to finish a jewelry piece in a clean, professional manner. A quick and easy way to finish jewelry is to use a pair of crimping pliers and the two-phase crimp method: Position your strung crimp tube or bead in the lower jaw of the crimping pliers. Squeeze the jaws together to reveal a bent crimp that resembles the lefthand image. Move the bent crimp up to the top jaw. Squeeze the jaws together to further flatten the crimp, leaving a professional look, like the one in the righthand image.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

When you're designing your jewelry, keep this handy chart close by — it lists individual bead size (in millimeters), strand lengths (in inches), and the approximate number of beads that will fit on the strand. So if you have a specific length for a necklace or bracelet, use this table to help you figure out about how many beads you need:

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

It can be difficult to know what you really need when it comes to jewelry and beading design, especially if you're standing in front of racks of supplies. Don't fret, use this list for items you should have handy so you can create jewelry at a moment's notice: Assorted clasps (toggle clasps, spring ring clasp) 2-x2mm tube-shaped sterling crimp beads Sterling and gold-filled bead tips Ear wires (leverback and shepherd hook styles) Head pins Assorted sizes of jump rings (5mm to 7mm in gold-filled and sterling)

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

If you need some help deciding which wire you need to begin your jewelry and beading projects, use this list of wires (complete with gauges and hardness) as a good start: Gold-filled 22-, 21-, and 20-gauge round dead-soft wire Sterling silver 22-, 21-, and 20-gauge round dead-soft wire Gold-filled 24-, 20-, and 16-gauge half-hard wire Sterling silver 24-, 20-, and 16-gauge half-hard wire

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

With all of the stringing choices out there for your jewelry and beading projects, it can get a little crazy sometimes. It's great to have an assortment of stringing materials, but the following list shows the things you should always keep on hand: Nylon size 4 (black and white) Nylon size 2 (black and white) 0.014-inch or 0.015-inch and 0.019-inch clear beading wire Silamide size A in off-white

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Wire wrapping is a great way to put a unique touch on your jewelry and beading creations. You can use wire to connect beads, wrap beads, make your own chain or clasps, and so much more. Start by trying a few of these wire-wrapping techniques: