For someone trying to get started in making jewelry with wire and beads, there are four basic topics that must be addressed.
1. The jewelry making tools that are required
2. The jewelry making supplies that must be available
3. Jewelry making skills and techniques must be learned
4. Are there any kits that can help me get started?
Let's begin by discussing what is meant by the phrase "making jewelry with wire and beads”. Just as it is in many endeavors, there are many ways to make jewelry.
Making jewelry for some means adding a gemstone to a finding like a ring in a manner that permanently fixes the gemstone in place. This is certainly making jewelry.
Making jewelry for others means stringing beads on silk or synthetic thread using knots or crimp beads. These two techniques are also making jewelry.
Another way to make jewelry is to use processes that involve heat, like casting or soldering components to make finished jewelry pieces.
Now to real business, we will look at the tools, supplies and techniques necessary for making jewelry components out of beads and jewelry wire and how to connect these components together with no soldering required. For some, this craft is called wire wrapping because instead of soldering, wire is wrapped around itself or other pieces of wire to form permanent pieces of jewelry. To begin learning about this craft please read on.
The jewelry making tools that are required
The mandatory hand tools required are shown below. You will not be successful in making jewelry without these three jewelry making hand tools.
- flush cutter
- round nose pliers
- chain nose
- Flat nose pliers
There are so many other tools; these are just listed for the starter who does not have too much money to throw around.
The jewelry making supplies that must be available
The supplies that are required for making jewelry are basically jewelry wire, beads and findings.
Jewelry Wire-- Jewelry wire is in general brass, copper, silver, gold, silver-plated, gold-plated or gold-filled wire. This wire is sold in several sizes, called gauges (based upon a standard called the American Wire Gauge in the US), with the larger gauge wire being smaller in diameter. For making jewelry the most common gauges are 16, 18, 20, and 22 gauges. 24 and 26 gauge are used, but less frequently. Beginners should avoid 16 gauge because it is harder to work with. For connecting wire components with the wrapped bead link, frequently 22 gauge wires will be used.
Beads--Beads are decorative items made from a variety of materials that in general have a hole used for holding the bead in position in your jewelry. Beads can be made of glass, plastic, wood, stone, metal, bone, and semi-precious or precious materials.
Findings--Findings are jewelry making components like clasps, head pins, ear wires, jump rings, and other manufactured or hand made components.
There are many other categories of findings, but the four identified above are in general more important and necessary for most beginners. These items can be easily made manually, but for a beginner you would be better off to purchase some silver-tone or gold-tone findings to use in practicing.
