Making jewellery ie beaded necklaces etc.....Where to start?

[VanillaPumpkin]

Can anyone advise me? I have just been to a jewellery party and really enjoyed making a couple of necklaces.
I don't have a hobby really and was thinking I would like to try this. It was oddly theraputic. Also I consider myself to rubbish creatively but I made a couple of really nice things .
So what sort of pliers etc would I need to start?
I had a quick google and looked on ebay but I didn't even know where to start. Can you help?
TIA.

Oooh calling Whizzz then. Thanks for the tip off.

Gosh, yes. I can't see me managing anything like that. The brown one is esp gorgeous.
Bump for Whizzz then.....are you there???

Hello ! Buy yourself some small round nose pliers & maybe some wire cutters. Start off by maybe buying a kit - that wasy you can have a go at stuff without having to buy loads of bits & bobs. Just do some simple stringing first - have a play with colours & types of beads.
Buy be warned it's very addictive !

Ooh Hello Whizzz. Thank you. Where would you recommend for a kit and pliers? Is ebay a good bet? There are so many websites I was a bit overwhelmed.
I had a sneak on your blog too . Your stuff is beautiful!

Thankyou - all self taught by trial & error!

Be careful with Ebay as its hard to judge decent quality until you know what you are looking for.
Mayabe something like this?? or here I have used both these suppliers & they are good

off to bed now - but feel free to shout up with any more queries

Thank you. I will have a look at those sites.
Looks like I went to bed before you .

beads can be very addictive! but very fun too, I don't tend to get as angry with my beads as I do with my knitting.

good luck!

Vanilla - if you ae anywhere near Leeds there's a bead shop there where you can pick up lots of beads (not as cheap as online though) and a bit of advice! I bought a beginers starter kit here and then topped up with bits that i liked, it does include a leaflet on who to make a variety of basics, and includes round nose pliers

Thank you. That starter kit looks great actually. Time to do some proper research now you ladies have pointed me in the right direction. How exciting.

Do you use all your tools? The additional bits with the kit Otter linked to look good value, but only if they would be actually useful.
I realistically cannot see me doing much more than strings of beads so get the feeling the round nose pliers and some cutters will be enough....

VP - I got bought a load of different types of pliers & to be honest I only use the cutters, round nose flat nose ones on a regular basis. I'd start off small & see how you go.

Good advice thank you.
What about crimpers (?) though? Can I just use the pliers for squashing them?...
I feel this will be more expensive that I thought . I might have to save up....

Well I used pliers to squish crimps for ages. YOu can do the same job, crimping pliers just make them a bit neater - but you can be neat with pliers if you take your time

Thank you Whizzz.

I just got the starter kit and not the additional kit of pliers etc, did add verious different types later butr that was when I felt a bit more confident. also I just use pliers to squash crimps still...

Did you get cutters too Otter?
This might all have to go on my birthday list, but hopefully I will have it before then. I would like to make my sister a necklace for a start.
Thanks for help.

I actually got wire cutters from DP! you can get wire cutters from hardware store for very little, I'd look there first (cheaper!) What has just occured to me is that the local market may also stock beads etc (i know a 3 of mine do in the wool/haberdashers stores) I made a 'pearl' necklace from cheap beads/clasp/thread from market (think it cost £1.50 and i have loads left) and it often gets compliments.

Oh, top tip thank you. We have a great DIY shop in the village so I will check there first.