Jewelry and beading design can feel daunting sometimes, I know I was a little intimidated when I first decided to learn. There are so many pieces, beads and charms to choose from, plus figuring out your own style. Beading and jewelry design is a popular hobby and craft, with a few hundred thousand designers selling on Etsy alone. Whether you are wanting to create custom gifts, jewelry for yourself, or sell it online these are my few tips and tricks that I wish I had known when I first started!
Quality Tools Are Everything
Before you even start making jewelry you want to ensure you have the good quality tools and know their uses. Good news they have starter jewelry tool kits on Amazon and in the major craft stores! The major tools needed are pliers, wire cutters, and crimpers. One tool I wish I had sooner is called a looper, it helps create beautiful and consistent loops at the end of your wire and earring posts.
Having the right tools and knowing how to use them can help make your jewelry last longer and look better. Pro Tip: Always use a crimper tool to crimp your beads not pliers, when you use pliers your crimp beads can slide off.
Everything Has Multiple Uses!
The biggest lesson I have learned is that everything has multiple uses. I used to sit down to bead or make something and feel like I could only do the major things like earrings, necklaces and bracelets with the items I have. But beading and jewelry making can take many different shapes and styles. Its when you start to experiment you can come up with something unique and interesting.
My greatest success are my beaded bookmarks, one of which you can see above! My process for this has changed over and over since I started. I eventually found I can use earring posts as the base instead of wire, and have also evolved to using chain link as well. Each of these different beading findings make the bookmarks look different and unique. Take risks and have fun using different items in different ways.
Choose the Right Wire!
Wire choice is everything when it comes to beading and jewelry making. You want to select the correct gauge or thickness for your specific project. Theres beading wire, wrapping wire for wire wrapped jewelry, and elastic wire. One of the most popular wire brands is called Beadalon, they have the gauge, length and compatible crimp bead size right on the label to make it easier for you too.
Keep it Simple
This tip is for my beginners or those out their struggling with artist block. Which is similar to writers block but when instead you just stare at your stash of beads for at least an hour wondering if you look hard enough new beads will poof into the stash. Its easy to get consumed with all of the tiny details of a project the next thing you know its an explosion of every bead you own. Take your time, slow down, and when all else fails keep it simple. I like to keep my bead variations under four, meaning I do not use more than four different beads on any given piece.
Design for You, Not for Others!
This one is for those out there who make jewelry and beaded items to sell online or in person. Now keep in mind this one is also a personal tip that I have and will stand by. Design items that you would wear, items that make you happy, do not design what you think others will like or what will sell. I have been told over and over that I need to know my customer, and I do, it's me. When we think of the people who will wear or use or admire our art we think about people like us. For example, I love color so I design with lots of it. Designing things that make you happy will help keep the passion and love for what you do alive much longer. I tried to design for others and it caused me more stress and more frustration because my art didn't match Pinterest.
At the end of the day we all began to design, create, and sell these wonderful items because we love it. It brings us joy, and pride there is nothing better than creating something new. Seeing the finished project and saying I made that! When I made what I want I sold way more then when I copied the latest trend ver batem. Take the trends but make them your own, that is what will set you apart from everyone else.
I hope you enjoyed my fun little list of tips I have much more for you so stay tuned for more. Dont forget to subscribe to the email list to get notification of our future posts and updates. Leave comments below of thoughts and other fun tips you would like to leave for your fellow crafters!
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