Jewellery making anyone??

Angie100

Hi kbl - come and join us!!!!!! Ok I don't have a bead board as I don't make necklaces but if you are intending to do that then it might be useful. If you are going to make bracelets, earrings, phone charms etc you don't need the bead board. The others may disagree of course!! I would start off making earrings as they are easiest and then you can progress as you develop your technique. You really need some pliers, round nose pliers are good for making the loops to attach your headpins (long metal pin which beads etc are put on) to your earring wires. You need headpins or eye pins (pins which have a loop at one end so you can hang things from them), jump rings (metal loops), and beads. There are some nice tutorial videos on youtube which explain the basics and if you look through this thread there are some websites recommended also. I buy most of my beads and bits on ebay.

kbl

thanks angie!! will start with bracelets first methinks. My lovely hubby has agreed to preload my 3v card with €35 for my wedding anniversary present, which should get me enough to get started, that way I'll know if it's something I want to keep up or not. Have found a website that is full of gorgeous stuff, it doesn't charge postage on orders over €20, so that leaves me plenty money for dabbling in. (by the way, if anyone's interested, the website is www.sayila.nl )

Angie100

Hi - I looked at this website and didn't think it was so cheap to be honest. £20 is alot to spend when first starting out and I personally think that you would do better on ebay where you can order small amounts from various sellers. Most sellers will give you postage discount on multiple purchases and it usually works out cheaper than on external websites. Buying individual beads is always going to work out more than buying in bulk or packet amounts.

Jo_F

Or look on Ebay for jewellery making kits, that way you get a selection of beads and findings and usually some sort of intruction leaflet.

I use a beading board for my necklaces, I find it easier to lay the beads out and get an idea of what goes where and how it's going to look without stringing it all up first. But that's when I am using a selection of beads.

kbl

thanks for the advice folks, am looking forward to getting going on this, hopefully will keep me away from the biscuit tin, even if the end results aren't wearable! Don't think I'll wait til anniversary (end of July), if I start now, I might even have something of my own making to wear out to dinner

vicks276

For anyone up this end of the country (or those who don't mind travelling!) there is a bead fair called Beads Up North at Haydock Races on 3rd August. £3.00 entry on the door, and about 100 stalls with sparkly shiny things for us to ooh and aah over. I'm going so if anyone is interested maybe we could have a little meet up!

Lillibet_2

Oh my God, I just wanted to tell everyone that even though I have only been making jewellery for a couple of months I have been asked to sell it though my Mums branch of the Womens institute! Although my Mum suggested me to them it isn't her who makes the decision & the lady who has looked at my jewellery & said yes doesn't know me at all & thinks it's great! I personally always thought my stuff was a bit uninspired & mediocre to be honest, so I am really really suprised! (But maybe they're just desperate, turns out they have been looking for a home jewellery maker for months!). Have spent the last 2 days frantically making stuff to build up a decent display, now I've just got to finalize it all, put glue on any knots & trim ends, add fastners & figure out prices...eek! Got to have it ready to hand over next Sunday.

So to anyone who is new to it or considering taking it up, it really is that easy even for a unartistic klutz so I'm sure anyone with a pinch of artistc flare would be brilliant at it!

Angie100

Well done Lillibet, good luck - hope you do well with it. It's been abit quiet on here lately. Guess everyone is busy with it being summer (supposedly!!!). Have you taken any pics to show us of the jewellery you have been making?? Would be nice to see it.

Angie100

mean_momma wrote: »

I was looking on ebay and saw 200 pieces (100 pairs) for £2.98-does this sound reasonable??? Any other suggestions for cheaper prices for these??


I went to a place called Walsh, 44 Hatton Gdn, (also Beckenham, Kent) who sell findings, as well as useful equipment such as jewellery pliers, etc. www.hswalsh.com . Around the corner from them is Samuel Findings, who have boxes and boxes of silver bits for jewellery making, plus silver chain by the yard. Silver isn't actually all that expensive, give or take market rises.

Sounds like a good price if including P & P - I think I bought mine from angs-attic-2008 and they were £0.99 plus P & P for 50 pairs but I would have bought other things so postage would have been combined. Just worked it out and this is a cheaper option than the one you have seen. This seller charges 80p for first item and 10p per item after so if you bought 2 x 50 pairs off of them it would total £2.88 inc P & P, cheaper the more you buy!!!!

Re the bead and findings shops - i have not found shops in general to be cheaper than buying off of ebay as they have more overheads to consider!!!!

OohSoHolly

Hi All.
Im very impressed with al the work ive seen on here. Its amazing. And i just have to have a go myself
But i dont know where to begin. Can anyone give me an idea of what id need to try making some earrings.
I saw the video on how to make them, just wasnt sure what tools i'd need. Thanks!