Jewellery making anyone??

vicks276

I do this too lol!

Just letting you all know that if you have a Dunelm Mill near you, they now stock beads and jewellery making stuff, pretty good prices too. Had some pliers in there for around £3 a pair, including crimping pliers which are normally pretty dear.

For the person asking about pliers, you sound like you need some round-nose or needle-nose ones. They have them in Dunelm Mill, Hobbycraft etc. I think I spotted some in my local pound shop a while ago, might be worth checking that sort of place too.

Does anyone know where I might be able to get a cheap-ish pair of nylon jaw flat nose pliers for wire work? Checked ebay and the usual ones, but they tend to be quite pricey.

newlywed

My mini pliers set (set of 6 - snips, round nose, flat nose, crimps etc) came from a car spares shop - my dad saw them on offer and got them for me - my OH has a similar set from screwfix or B&Q (his are in a nice case too - mine weren't) so keep an eye on places like B&Q, screwfix and maplins too

I haven't noticed any nylon ones though sorry

Jo_F

Craft Range in Burnley have some nylon pliers, they were reasonably priced, not sure if they have one near you, but I have found that the nylon bits have some 'dinks' in them from the wire, so am saving up for another pair, not sure if it's cos they didn't cost much or if i am just too heavy handed with them.

And with regard to wearing stuff.... well it has to be road tested!

cookiedough38

I have a jewellery party coming up this month, I am having it at home and have had a good response from friends. Any advice?!

Jo_F

Work it like any other 'selling' party, maybe have a raffle, or a small game with a small prize. Offer a hostess discount for anyone that books another party with you.. though most people have found that it is better to offer the discount as goods for the hostess (that way you don't have people asking the hostess to buy stuff for them)

Prepare a little speech, about how you make the items, if you take orders, can do them in different colours etc.

Have some business cards for people to take away with them, also have some pliers etc on hand for small alterations. (like converting to clip ons)

Plenty of change, maybe a book of some kind for writing orders in, and of course a couple of bottles of wine and some nibbles.

GemzyKate

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about trying my hand at jewellery making but I have no idea where to start!!

I thought perhaps the best thing to do is get some books out from the library and buy some sort of starter kit.

Can anyone recommend a good starter kit? I've found this:

http://www.bluestreakbeads.co.uk/acatalog/info_Big_Kit_2.html

But think that may be a bit much for a beginner!!

Apologies if this is a repeat of other posts.

Gem xxx

BOBS

WOW that is a fantastic starter kit .... lot of money though!!
Basically to start you off beading you would need --
- Some tigertail (this is the wire you put beads on)
-Findings ie jump rings, calottes, lobster clasps, crimps, earwires (if you want earrings too) and headpins.
- pliers one with flat edge for squashing your crimps and another with long round point for making loops - you can pick these up cheaply from ebay.
- you dont really need all the extras to start you off in the pack.
This would leave you plenty of money to pick your own beads - I know the kit includes loads but it is nice to pick your own.
I will pm you the sites to buy beads and also will try and find the instructions I wrote out when I did a wee jewellery class (amateur only)!!!! and pm those too.

Any questions just shout someone will be able to advise you...... they will also tell me if i have missed anything.

Hardup_Hester

Hi
I'm not sure if anyone can help me, I've been asked to provide some 'stuff' for a local charity sale, I have loads of beads, all shapes & sizes & I was hoping to make some bracelets, problem is, where do I start, whatever items I make will be given to the charity to sell. I don't have many bracelet clasps, maybe 2 or 3 & have enough beads to make around 50 bracelets, what's the easiest way to make them without spending any money on clasps etc, can I make then on elastic & knot it? Hope someone can help.
Hester

princesspoppypop

You could use very thin ribbon lengths threaded up with beads. I do this all the time with different lengths of ribbon also knot the ribbon or place a small crimp either side of the beads with say an inch gap inbetween each one.

Poppy x

vicks276

The easiest and cheapest thing to do would be to get some beading elastic or stretch magic (cheap on ebay). Cut a length, knot one end about 2-3cm in, thread the beads on the other end, tie it up, dab on some super glue or beading glue on the knot and slide it so it is hidden inside a bead x