Jewellery making anyone??

Angie100

Hi OohSoHolly - nice to hear you are going to start making earrings - you need some pliers, preferably round nose as these are good for making the loops, some eyepins or headpins depending on the design you are making, beads and ear wires. Some good tutorial videos on youtube!!!!

Angie100

After seeing Jo's wire creations on her jig i have bought a thingamyjig delux from ebay-it'll take a while to come as bought from a US seller. Now what I am wondering is what wire I should use with it and the sort of prices I should pay. If anyone has any good sources to recommend that would be great also. Thanks!!!

Nichelette

I've just discovered this thread, I've been making jewellery for the last couple of years to fund my degree so I thought I'd share a couple of places I've found to be very good for supplies.

The first one is an ebay shop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Zonego-Shop . This place is great for swarovski crystals. They do come from China but the postage is very reasonable and I received them very quickly.

This is the other place http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/ . I buy most of my findings from here, they sell anything from one of something to wholesale quantities at a discount (I think you also get another 10% off when you buy more than 5 of a wholesale item).

Jo_F

Angie, you need 0.8 mm or 1mm for it to hold the shape better, but get something like 0.5 to practice with as the the thicker it is the less it wants to comply with your wishes.

So I would say get some of the cheaper copper craft wire to try with.

And thanks, I don't think I have ever been an inspiration

Angie100

Jo - thanks for that info, what is the average sort of price that you'd pay for the wires as I have no clue!

You are definately an inspiration Jo, you make some lovely pieces.

OohSoHolly

Angie100 wrote: »

Hi OohSoHolly - nice to hear you are going to start making earrings - you need some pliers, preferably round nose as these are good for making the loops, some eyepins or headpins depending on the design you are making, beads and ear wires. Some good tutorial videos on youtube!!!!

Thanks for the help!
I've ordered some things off the ebay shops recommended on here.
Wow it was difficult not to buy every bead i saw!
Cant wait to get started.:p
Thanks Again

Jo_F

Angie100 wrote: »

Jo - thanks for that info, what is the average sort of price that you'd pay for the wires as I have no clue!

You are definately an inspiration Jo, you make some lovely pieces.

Oh gosh, ermmm not sure, I got some wire from Hobbycraft, but with that I stuck with the silver plate and the brass coloured one (I think they were £1.99 for about 6m), they also do 20 off yard reels in different gauges so for .8 and 1mm you are looking for 18, 20,22 guage.

I also got some wire from www.wires.co.uk look at the sillver plated copper and the coloured craft wires.

I also got some gold and silver plate wires on Ebay.

Be warned though, some of the gold plated wire is rather 'red' it looks more coppery and so doesn't always match with the usual 'yellow' coloured gold plate.

Whle you are learning (and throwing it across the roon in frustration, get the cheaper wire, like I say you could be looking at about 1.99 for a good few meters.

Angie100

Thanks Jo - that gives me a good idea of pricing and which wires to use, now just have to wait for the jig!!!!

whatsername

Ok, idiot guide please, what are the very basics I need for making some bead necklaces...chain/wire, beads, fixings, tools? I have fiddled about with threading beads onto wire in the past, but would like to try making something a little more professional looking. Thanks.

vicks276

Hi Whatsername!
Okay, for beaded necklaces you will need:
some beading thread or wire
some sort of clasps
a couple of crimps per necklace
beads
crimp squishing pliers (I use flat nose or chain nose pliers)

for a really neat finish on clasps, I thread on a crimp, then one half of the clasp, then take the thread back through the crimp. Pull it tight, squish the crimp then feed the beads over the tail end, keeping it secure.

Good luck!
I've been watching loads of videos on youtube about making beaded wire rings, thinking of giving them a try as they look so easy. I did buy a beading needle and some thread on my last splurge and thought about trying off-loom weaving (inspired by some photos on here of beaded bags and such - sorry I forgot who posted them!) but can't find any nice patterns or ideas on the net, or on youtube. anyone got any ideas?

vicks xxx