TeenHelp - Beading/Jewelry

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I don't really have a hobby at the moment other than watching Netflix for long periods of time :hehe: I want to try beading/jewelry because I know when I was younger I made those intertwined bracelets with string (like 3-4 threads of string) and some really cool looking ones but was weird how it got to be that cool. I ordered a bunch of supplies online and they won't arrive till early next month :nosweat: and right now I want to get some cheap thread, yarn, beads, etc., and practice till my packages arrive.

Do you have any tips or something different I can try for beading/jewelry?

Re: Beading/Jewelry

Hey!

You could get a bead loom if you haven't already, they're quite cheap on ebay and they're helpful for doing exactly those sorts of bracelets :D

Pinterest usually has a lot of good advice for crafts and stuff and I really like http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/ too.

Hope this helped :)

Re: Beading/Jewelry

Hey Cara,

I'm going to order the bead loom most likely end of this week/early next week. :)

Thank you for the link and the suggestion for the bead loom :)

Re: Beading/Jewelry

1. Watching Netflix for long periods of time is defintiely a hobby. :dem:

2. I absolutely love jewelry making! Here are some things that you can try! Some of them may be a little difficult at first, but after practice, the results can be awesome! (I'll bold supplies) :)

-Embroidery floss bracelets

Embroidery floss is pretty cheap and you don't need a whole lot to get started. There are many websites that show the basics. I would suggest starting out making the "Chinese staircase" design, as that is normally the easiest if you're a beginner. If you're not, I suggest working on the flat kind where you can make patterns like stripes and chevron!

-Wire jewelry

For this you would need more materials. I enjoy making beaded jewelry, so I use flexible beading wire. After you cut your piece of wire, you can attach metal clasp(fastener) to one side using a crimp bead to make a loop in the wire, securing the jewelry clasp so the bracelet is wearable. To flatten the crimp bead, you would need crimping pliers or flat-nosed pliers.

Then you put the beads on. After you're done, you make another loop at the untied end of the bracelet using another crimping bead. Instead of a clasp on this side, you can use a jump ring or other type of fastener. If you search "how to use crimp beads", you could probably find some people who know how to explain that a lot better than I can! You can also search for each bolded word (the supplies needed). I would have linked them for you, but since we are in different areas, stores not accessible to you were the only ones showing up.

This type of jewelry can result in very professional looking results. They're not too difficult to make after you learn how to use the crimp beads and they look great! :) I've even sold these before! D:

-Chain bracelets

Metal chains are available at craft stores! I love making bracelets by weaving pretty fabric (ribbons, strips of lace) through the chain. You could also add beads! If you use wire cutters to cut the length you want, you can then use other pliers (I like needle nose for this) to take apart a link in the chain and then attach it to the other end, forming a bracelet.
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I guess I'll stop here, but I always have jewelry making ideas to share, so I'd definitely love to talk sometime!

Re: Beading/Jewelry

As you going to do loom bead weaving you might want to try some off loom bead weaving too. A good stitch to start with is spiral, once you've picked up the basics it's easy and can be changed very simply by using slightly different beads. You may want to use larger beads than it mentions in the tutorial the first time you try, just until you get to grips with it. I've been beading for several years now, so if you get stuck at anytime feel free to PM me. =)

Re: Beading/Jewelry

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsNobleEleanor (Post 1161808)

I realise this is an old topic which I expect may be closed, but my twin sister makes the most exquisite jewellery. Sitting beside me she's suggested that you learn how to silver-solder, ie. (she says) "the metallurgy of some carat gold jewellery alloys". Gold soldering though expensive, is a very exacting art, but essential if you are artistic in designing jewellery from scratch. Learn to solder, but learn the technical details of such and any jewellery you later produce will look extremely impressive! :)