With a little time, effort and dexterity, you can use a variety of objects and materials to create jewelry. Make necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings for an online business or for yourself.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Designing the Jewelry
Step 1. Find ideas
When creating jewelry, the first thing you need are ideas. This will help you reflect on which aspects are most important and which ones best meet your needs.
- Search your things. Look at what you already own. You can reproduce or be inspired by something you particularly like. Maybe you love a particular type of pearl, a clasp or a combination of colors. Also, you can evaluate if something is missing from your collection. Maybe you need a casual piece of jewelry to wear every day… think about what you can do to fill this gap.
- Search in stores. Go to specialty stores, like Orofollia, or department stores that have a jewelry department for inspiration. The wide selection will allow you to find more ideas, keeping you abreast of trends.
- Look at other people. Look at your friends' jewels, those on the internet, in magazines or those worn by your favorite star. Think about what you particularly like about that piece of jewelry and what you would like for yourself.
- Inspired by vintage pieces. You will be able to find various styles without any effort. Examine which aspects of vintage strike you to recreate those same elements.
Step 2. Decide on the materials you will use
Once you have established your needs and chosen the design, you will need to decide which materials are best for you. Some choices are based on taste, others on availability, others on necessity.
- Metal. It is usually used in the form of threads, chains or rings to tie the various elements of the jewel together. The type of material used depends on the purpose. For example, or soft metals are good for bending and then for making circles. Gold or copper doesn't matter, it depends on personal preference.
- Stones. You can use gems or synthetic stones for your creations, especially if you make earrings or pendants. Choose the stone by relying on taste, but remember that some are more expensive than others. To save you can use fake ones. When you choose them colored, think about your eyes or the shades of your wardrobe. This way the jewels will stand out.
- Other materials can be used thinking about the desired result. If metal and gems are too traditional, try alternative materials like wood, resin, plastic, twine, and other less common things.
Step 3. Make a draft
Before making the jewel, you will need to put your ideas on paper and create a complete project. In this way you will understand the measurements and how to move, avoiding wasting the material.
Drawing on graph paper helps to better align the various elements and evaluate the measurements. You can also use ruler, stencil, and glossy paper to perfect your designs
Method 2 of 3: Collect the Materials
Step 1. Chains
If you prefer to attach charms to a bracelet rather than making a string of pearls, you will need chains. There are various sizes and can be further reduced with wire cutters and pliers.
Step 2. Clips
There are many types. You will have to choose the one that best suits your project based on the type of jewel, the weight, the size of the strings and beads for example. Clasps are also chosen for aesthetics or simplicity.
- Claw clip. It is the most common type for bracelets and necklaces, it is quite durable and easy to use.
- Olivetta. The toggles give a more modern and aerodynamic look. They are appropriate for heavy looking pieces. They are simple clips that are easy to use but less secure than others.
- Screw clasp. It is very safe and consists of two separate tubes with a screw holding them together. Better to use it for necklaces because it takes some work to close it.
- Hook and eye. Simple and easy to use way that can be reproduced with the right tools, and consists of a hook with a ring. It is good for heavy necklaces because it is not very secure and the weight therefore holds the ring closed.
Step 3. Beads
Often used in jewelry making, beads can form a simple necklace or can join together to form a large opulent pendant. There are expensive pearls up to the cheapest ones, depending on the material they are made of.
There are beads of every color and material: plastic, glass, wood, shells, bone, stone, clay, polymer and others
Step 4. Gems
To give a striking touch to the jewel, use real or fake gems. Obviously in this case you have to review the design to make sure you can fit them. Gems can be relatively expensive or cheaper depending on the size, type and quality.
Common ones include diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, amethyst, opal and topaz
Step 5. Buy the thread
To hold the beads, charms and pendants together, you will need a suitable material that is the right amount of flexibility and strength. Depending on the weight of the piece of jewelry, use elastic, fishing wire, cord, or string in addition to many other materials.
Step 6. Buy some framework wire
You will need less flexible, larger gauge wire to make many jewelry components, such as earring hoops, screw earrings, connectors, and spacers. Remember to check the gauge before buying the cable to make sure it fits your project.
Step 7. Buy the right tools
You will need a lot of them to be able to create complex jewelry. If your project involves working with metal, then the tools will be indispensable. Make sure they are of excellent quality. With cheap ones you could get hurt easily.
- Buy a full set of pliers. Depending on the type of work, it will take a different type of gripper. Nippers, long nose pliers and curved nose pliers are just a few examples.
- Scissors and wire cutters. To cut materials, have the most suitable tools on hand. The scissors can work for fishing line and rubber band. Always use electrician's scissors for cables - normal ones can hurt you.
Method 3 of 3: Basic Techniques
Step 1. Straighten a cable
It is the first thing to learn to make a jewel. If the cable is bent when you cut it, it will stay that way afterwards, so you'll need to straighten it.
Start by unwinding a length of cable from the spool. Using wire cutters, pull the cord until it tightens. You can turn it over and hold it from another angle as well to make sure it's completely straight
Step 2. Cut the cable
You will need special "cutters", created just for those who make jewelry. Leave one side of the cable flat and one side slanted.
- Know which side of the clippers will cut the way you want. Be careful when using them as they are very sharp.
- Don't use cheap wire cutters - it's the best way to hurt yourself. If they are not sharp enough they could slip off the cable.
Step 3. Bend the cable
It is another essential technique for jewelry makers. It is learned using pliers, preferably those with a curved nose. Grab the cable with pliers and bend it with your finger until you get the desired angle.
Step 4. Make rings
You can make the loops at the end of the cord very easily. It is useful for making various components for jewelry. Start by taking a small piece of cable with a pair of curved nose pliers. Proceed by folding the cable around the pliers until it forms a P-shaped ring.
To make it even more round, grab the cable with pliers at the point where the circle begins and bend it slightly in reverse. The circle will open but you can close it again without problems
Step 5. Attach the clips
To finish off the necklaces and bracelets, attach the clasp. The simplest method is using a crimper. When you are done arranging the beads, put the crimper on at the end. Wrap the cord through the end loop of the clip and then pass it through the opening of the crimper. Pull it through the last pair of beads again, pull and close the crimper by tightening with the wire cutters, then cut the excess cord.
Step 6. Take the measurements
Necklaces and bracelets can be made according to personal preference, but when creating the rings you have to take the precise measurement of the finger. Use a measuring cone or wrap a thread directly around your finger and compare the measurement with the standard ones you find online.
