I'd love to start making jewellery, but where do I begin?

[MissMiss1]

I'm really interested in trying to make my own jewellery, but I just don't know where to start.

I love long beaded necklaces, maybe with a pendant at the end, but I just don't know where to begin. I've seen some lovely ones made by Kelly Killoren Bensimon and I love long beaded necklaces

I really don't know where to start or what to invest in.

Can anyone recommend anything?

[Lorialet]

I taught myself to make jewellery mostly from beading magazines and online tutorials and now I do it full time. What kind of techniques are you interested in learning? (I had a look for Kelly Besimon's stuff, but I can't find many examples).

[MissMiss1]

Hi lorialet, thank you for replying
I found a picture on her instagram, but am on my phone so cannot link to it
It's lots of beading with a coin on the end, hanging low. Im interest in beading n bracelets rather than using wire
[smike]

[Lorialet]

Aah, seen it! Parts of the chain are wire wrapped links so you'd need to learn how to do those. You could then combine them with bits of ready made chain or connectors and then add whatever pendant or charm you like as a focal. Here's a tutorial for how to do the links (you'd probably want to use smaller beads for a more delicate chain): www.fusionbeads.com/Wire-Wrapped-Link

I used to get Bead & Button magazine from Smiths when I was learning (it has a really useful section on all the basic things you need to know), but there are loads of others available now.

[MissMiss1]

Thank you so much, hadn't thought of looking in smiths for a magazine
I'll go n have a look today
I'm really excited about starting
Do you sell yours?

[Lorialet]

Good luck ~ it's very addictive once you get started. You won't be able to stop buying beads and stuff :)

Yes I do sell mine. I have an Etsy shop and do the odd craft fair.

[MissMiss1]

Oh what is the name of your etsy shop, I'd love to see your work

I came across a jewellery making channel on tv this morn, selling products

[Lorialet]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link, but if you do a search for Kianda it will go straight to my shop. Etsy is also brilliant for buying supplies and tools.

[MissMiss1]

Wow! Your pieces are fabulous, especially love the turquoise pieces

So how long have you been making jewellery?
Where do you source all your bits from?

[Lorialet]

I've been doing it for about 13 years now! I started off selling on eBay, but I really like Etsy now. I actually get most of my gemstones on Etsy and wire and chain I get from a couple of favourite eBay sellers. It depends what kind of stuff you want to make really. If you're just starting, you might want to practice with cheaper wire and things first. Some good supply shops for beginners are Jilly Beads and Mail Order beads (both in the UK).

[MissMiss1]

Thank you so much for your help, you've been a great help. I think I'm going to start looking the websites you've suggested

Is there a basic kit of tools n beads etc you could recommend?

[Lorialet]

I can tell you the tools I use the most, but again it depends on what type of jewellery you want to make. These are my essentials:

Wire cutters
Flat pliers
Round nose pliers
Small chasing hammer
Steel bench block
Small metal file
Crimping pliers (for strung bracelets and necklaces)

I could go on forever about beads! I started out with Swarovski crystals, combined with cheaper gemstone beads and now I buy more expensive gemstones from the cutters in India (lots of them have Etsy shops). I've also used lampwork glass beads, and Bali and Thai silver beads, vintage glass...all sorts really.

This is a good eBay shop I used to buy a lot from when I started: stores.ebay.co.uk/BEADAHOLIQUE They are in the US though, so you'd have to pay customs on anything over £15.

[MissMiss1]

That's brilliant! Thank you so much for all your advice, is really helped. I now know where to begin, I'm going to look at the websites
N order some basics and just start

I'm excited about it, I just hope I'm not rubbish at it, lol!