Learning to make fashion jewellery

domestic_goddess

Can anyone help me I am interested in starting to make jewellery as a hobby to make gifts for family and friend but don't know where to begin.

Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Thank you

redballoon_2

HI! I have recently learnt how to make jewellery just by teaching myself. It is quite easy. places like ebay and hobbycraft have everything you need. start off small then venture into more difficult things. to mae a bracelet all you need is some magic jewellery elastic (call varios names but its a reel of thin elastic that is super stong) simply thread your beads on and tie the ends! just make sure you cut the right length so it's stretchy enough to go on your wrist and not fall off. Practice makes perfect. I buy my beads on ebay, depending what you are after - I go for the glass lamp beads which are really pretty but there are lots of different varieties. make sure you check the size of the beads before ordering as you could end up with some really small sead beads!
If you want to then get into more techinical stuff like making chain bracelets you will need some round nose pliers, some thread pins and some bead beads. simply take one thread pin (comes in gold or silver) then thread a sead beed on then but a bigger bead on top of that. then use the pliers to curl the end round to make a small loop and then you can add that to a chain bracelet/necklace. Once you have got the hang of the principle of it you can experiment till your hearts content!

you can also use things around the house like old buttons to make some quirky items or thread beads on to a large safety/nappy pin for a "brooch" type thing.

equipment doesnt cost very much so you are able to make bracelets and necklaces for under a few quid each. the hobby craft website has a few projects that you can do and they give you a list of what you will need and instructions!

good luck with it!

kittiwoz

Look for books in your local library. There are a lot of courses about in jewellry making too. Try local colleges or community centres. You might be able to find info on your local council website, try the town council, district council and county council site. I'm thinking about joining a jewellry making class at my local community centre or maybe a sewing class.

Ice_Queen_112

Adult education centres very often run jewellery making courses.

melancholly

there are some great american magazines that have lots of ideas (with step by step instructions so that you can actually reproduce them!). they sell them often in bead shops - not sure where you are to recommend which one to go to! i haven't noticed them in hobbycraft, but then again i haven't looked! i personally prefer bead and button - i only think i've ever bought 3/4 issues, but they have lots of ideas in each.

domestic_goddess

Well just got back from hobbycraft and am about to have a go.... wish me luck!!

tim_n

If you're stuck for ideas there's a few online wholesalers who'll send you catalogs to see the latest trends and fashions.

Mariel

Have a look at the jewellery forum on craftster.org, some brilliant ideas on there.

Mrs_Arkwright

I happen to know someone who is about to list a large lot of jewellery making wooden beads on Ebay this evening for a bargain price;) PM me if you like

domestic_goddess

I am interested in jewellery making but am unable to attend any local classes as they are all on an evening and i work nights. Does anyone know of any distance learning courses or any good instructional dvd's.

Any ideas appreciated.