does anyone know good suppliers for jewellery making etc

belle87

hello, im wanting to start making my own jewellery, posibly for resale if good enough lol. anyway im unsure of what i need to get started and where the best place is to purchase such equipment, so any ifo would be a big help.

thanks you xx

yukkibear

I would suggest Ebay for a start up. You can find plenty of beads and findings at very reasonable prices. The ones you choose are just down to your imagination.

Teresa60

Yes I used to make jewellery and I got all my supplies from Ebay, quite cheap.

belle87

thanks ladies, i couldnt possibly ask of a list of things id need to make bracelets,necklaces and earings. also whats the best beads acrylic/glass etc and what wire/chain etc would be best

Jo_F

You need to decide what you are going to make, and what kind of style you are going for, and then research on that. There are some good magazines out there, and also check out your local library for jewellery making books.

Also, sign up to some of the beady and crafty forums (beadbuddies, UKBeaders, UKCraftForums to name a few).

Once you have decided what you are going to make, then it makes it easier to buy the supplies you need, personally I can't settle on a style, so I do beadweaving (seed beads and thread), wirework (wire, lampwork beads, pliers etc) and simple stringing.

Most of my lampwork beads I get from UK lampworkers, I get most of metal wire from one place and most of my findings (earwires etc) from another place, as I like to know the nickel content and will only buy from UK suppliers, mainly because I can't trust the nickel content in the earwires etc from overseas,

I also work with glass, crystal, gemstones, cloisonne and acrylic (plastic), it depends what I am making, who it is for, and what I have available at the time.

kitschkitty

Please feel free to take a look at my site http://www.uk-beaders.co.uk/ for hundreds of recommended suppliers (inc eBay sellers) and why not join our forum http://www.uk-beaders.co.uk/forum.htm for loads of advice and ideas on getting started.

Mrs_Money

Well, I can't vouch for their prices, but the Brighton Bead Shop has a website with lots of good pictures - I used to call in to the shop every time we went shopping in the Laines - never came out empty-handed!
Good luck with it!

belle87

thanks ladies ive seen nice pair of drop ear rings id like to try but the materials they used were expensive but then again was american site.

thanks for the link im going to have a nosey now with mu cuppa lol

xxx

Jo_F

Belle, there is also a long thread in the special occasions bit about jewellery making, a lot of us have posted about suppliers, techniques etc in there.

belle87

ok thanks is that on this site yea sorry ive just used this for firsttime 2day

Jo_F

Sorry, yes it is
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=883565&highlight=jewellery+making