Shiney Lounge

5 Tips on Getting Started

5 essential top tips for jewellery making

Do your research
Decide if you want to bead with tiny seed beads and a needle or whether stringing, knotting and working with wire suits your creative desires! Local bead stores are a great source of information and may specialise in one of these areas, sell kits with instructions or offer jewellery/tiara classes. It’s a great way of meeting like minded people and discovering what you like!

Choosing the right tools for the job
Before buying tools, decide what style of jewellery you want to make and seek advice from your local bead store or online forums. There are many tools available, however, for simple earrings, necklaces and bracelets you can get started with flat or snipe nose pliers, side cutters and round nose pliers. Go gadget crazy when you have progressed your skills!

Professional finishing
Knowing what ‘findings‘ (jargon for clasps and metal fixings) to use can be a challenge at the start. Books, magazines and classes are a great way to discover what’s best to use. Always check your fastenings before you wear your designs. If you can pull the ends off, the chances are they won’t last. So make sure you have squashed, glued or knotted it well before wearing it to the opera!

Designing your jewellery
Mistakes can often produce great new designs, so don’t be disheartened if it doesn’t work the first time you try! Open your mind to mixing colours, textures and materials. The best colour schemes can come from seeing the remains of several projects on your bead mat and discovering a new look.

Buying your beads
We all prefer to see the beads in the flesh at a local specialist bead store or fair. However, searching online will uncover unlimited choice. Why not give the company a call before you buy? Most bead stores are happy to give advice over the phone if you need help on what to buy for a certain project. It personalises the buying experience and increase confidence in your decision to purchase from them online.