DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns
Not only was Katie Hacker was kind enough to grant us an interview and she also gave me two books for giveaways to a lucky CraftGossip reader.
If you’d like to win a copy of “The Need to Bead” and “Born to Bead” books, leave a comment here with why you feel “the need to bead” or why you think you were “born to bead”. I’ll pick one lucky person at random on Jan 31st!
[…] forget to leave a comment to win a copy of “The Need to Bead” & “Born to Bead” books by Katie Hacker!!!!! […]
Starting a new craft can be exciting, but it can also turn into a shopping rabbit hole very quickly. Jewelry making is no exception. One minute you are buying a packet of beads, and the next you are staring at twenty types of pliers wondering if you need all of them.
The truth is, you do not need a huge collection of tools to start making handmade jewelry. For beginner jewelry making projects like beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings and charms, a small set of basic tools will take you a long way.
This guide covers the jewelry making tools beginners actually need, what each tool is used for, and which extras are nice to have later. It is designed for real crafters with real budgets and real drawers already full of mysterious supplies.
If you are just starting out, pair this guide with an easy project like this DIY birthstone necklace or these easy silk thread earrings.
Chain nose pliers are one of the most useful tools in jewelry making. They have flat inner jaws and tapered tips, which makes them ideal for gripping, bending and holding small findings.
Use chain nose pliers for:
If you only buy one pair of pliers to begin with, make it chain nose pliers. They are the workhorse of the jewelry making toolbox.
Round nose pliers have smooth, rounded jaws that taper to a point. They are used for making loops in wire.
Use round nose pliers for:
Round nose pliers are especially useful if you want to make earrings, pendant drops or wire-wrapped bead charms. Once you learn how to make a simple loop, a whole world of handmade jewelry opens up.
Do not use your best sewing scissors for cutting jewelry wire. I say this with the voice of experience and regret.
Jewelry cutters are designed to cut wire cleanly. Flush cutters are especially useful because they leave one side of the cut wire flatter and neater.
Use jewelry cutters for:
Keep your cutters for jewelry only. Cutting memory wire or thick hardware wire can damage delicate cutters, so check what your cutters are designed to handle.
Crimping pliers are used to close crimp beads and crimp tubes neatly. You can flatten crimps with chain nose pliers, but crimping pliers create a more rounded, professional finish.
Use crimping pliers for:
If you are only making one or two simple projects, chain nose pliers may be enough. But if you plan to make lots of necklaces or bracelets, crimping pliers are worth adding.
For more help with this technique, see our guide on using crimp beads without ruining your necklace once it is published.
A bead board is a tray with grooves that help you plan necklace and bracelet designs before stringing them. It usually has measurement marks, which makes it easier to create the right length.
Use a bead board for:
You do not absolutely need a bead board, but it is very helpful for beginners. If you do not have one, use a tea towel or felt mat on your table. The soft surface helps stop beads from escaping.
A bead mat is a soft surface used for working with beads. It stops beads from rolling and gives you a clean workspace.
Use a bead mat for:
A simple felt square or soft cloth can work if you are not ready to buy a bead mat. The important thing is to avoid working directly on a hard, shiny table, unless chasing beads across the floor is part of your fitness plan.
Bead stoppers are small spring clips that hold beads on wire while you are working. They are simple, cheap and surprisingly useful.
Use bead stoppers for:
You can use masking tape or a small binder clip instead, but bead stoppers are neater and easier to remove.
A jump ring opener is a small ring worn on your finger with grooves for opening jump rings. It is not essential, but it can make repetitive work faster.
Use a jump ring opener for:
If you make a lot of charm jewelry, this little tool is handy. If you are only starting out, two pairs of pliers will do the job.
Measuring matters in jewelry making. Necklaces, bracelets and anklets all need to fit properly.
Use measuring tools for:
A soft tape measure is especially useful because it can wrap around the wrist or neck. You can also use a ruler for straight wire and chain measurements.
Beads multiply when you are not looking. One day you have a tidy little packet of beads, and suddenly you have seed beads, clasps, charms, wire, broken necklaces and something labelled “miscellaneous sparkle.”
Good storage makes jewelry making much easier.
Useful storage options include:
Sort by bead type, colour or project. There is no perfect system, only the one you will actually use.
Along with tools, it helps to have a few basic supplies ready.
A beginner jewelry making kit might include:
If you are buying supplies for the first time, look for a basic jewelry findings kit. These are often more affordable than buying every tiny packet separately.
Some jewelry tools are useful later, but beginners do not need them immediately.
You can wait before buying:
Start with simple projects first. Once you know what type of jewelry you enjoy making, it is easier to buy the right tools.
If metal stamping appeals to you, this ImpressArt bracelet making tutorial is a fun place to see how that style of jewelry can look.
Once you have your basic jewelry tools, try projects that build your skills gradually.
Good beginner projects include:
For a simple wearable project, try this wire necklace tutorial or this DIY wrap jewelry project.
If you are keeping costs down, start with:
You can add a bead board, crimping pliers and storage boxes later.
A beginner jewelry making tool kit can be a good value if it includes decent pliers and cutters. Avoid very flimsy tools if possible, because they can make jewelry making more frustrating than it needs to be.
Do not buy every tool before making your first project. Make a simple necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings first, then see what you actually enjoy.
Some people fall in love with seed beads. Some adore wire wrapping. Some just want to make quick earrings from leftover beads. Your tool collection should grow around the kind of jewelry you actually want to make.
That is the nice thing about beginner jewelry making. You can start small, learn as you go, and still make something pretty enough to wear.
I would love to win one of the books.
I need to bead because I cannot resist buying beads – they are like candy so i have loads of them. And when I see beads lying around I feel a great urge to make something of them – a need to bead!
I have never worked with beads before but I am interested in learning new crafts and would love to learn more about beading after seeing all the beautiful creation on different craft sites.
I feel the need to bead because that is my way to express my creativity and to show my interpretation of beauty. I love creating beaded jewelry for my self because it makes me happy and helps me relax and take my mind off of things. I also feel the need to bead and give people gifts of beaded jewelry to see them smile and see them wear some jewelry that makes them feel happy and beautiful.
Im’ a bead junkie, beads everywhere (even in the bed – don’t talk to my husband.) See my fabulous homemade beadboard at this link: http://lisaoram.com/?p=157. Would love to add either of Katie’s books to my collection. Thanks!
Those books look awesome…especially for a newbie beader like me!!
I don’t like my hands to be idle – and do a lot of machine sewing and rubber stamping -neither of which are very portable.
I find beading to be portable, and show-offable, so I can brag on my mad beading skills – quilts are harder to show off at the office, and you can only stamp so many cards to display on your desk.
Um….I don’t NEED to bead; I can quit anytime I want 😉
I’m not sure if my comment went through ok…I was having problems with my Internet connection, but anyway…I feel the need to bead because that is my way to express my creativity and to show my interpretation of beauty. I love creating beaded jewelry for my self because it makes me happy and helps me relax and take my mind off of things. I also feel the need to bead and give people gifts of beaded jewelry to see them smile and see them wear some jewelry that makes them feel happy and beautiful.
Clearly not “born to bead”–I still chafe at picking up a needle. The “need to bead” has come out of a desire to express myself through the visual arts and a personal love of bling.
i’ve always loved to adorn myself with pretty babbules so i would love to learn how to make my own to flaunt
i need to bead because i did a lot of it in my younger days and really miss it thanks for the giveaway
I would like to win these books. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have a tutor form high school I would love to win these for. SHe send me a nice beaded gift for Christmas
I love beading – it has been my new “relaxation hobby” and a great way to stimulate the creative juices!
I just love checking out new beads, testing out supplies… it’s so much fun!
I was born to bead because I have always loved jewelry and rocks/stones. Now I can put my two loves together!
making things help me relax from being a mommy of three
I like to bead it’s a relieve from stress!
carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have loved beading for years (well decades really) and love to learn new projects
I would like to have a craft to do with my teenage SD.
Thanks for the giveaway.
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to learn how to bead. I think its gorgeous.
I feel the need to bead so I have an outlet to release my inner artist 🙂 I love the all the beautiful things that beads can make. *Thanks* for the giveaway!
oooooo….I hope you pick little ol’ me!
~Sadie
I think I need to bead because my friends and family call me a beadophile… :p
I love to do bead work!
I just started beading recently and I just can’t stop! lol!
Its like its an obsession or something!
As I bead my project it starts taking a life all its own.
And Iam always amazed at the beautiful end results!
This new hobby of mine blows my mind as I finally realize…..”Hey! Iam an artist too!”
I love Katie and her books are just wonderful! A reader is going to be very lucky! 😉
Jamie
Creations by JAE
I need to bead, because I saw my mother-in-laws beaded Christmas Ornaments and Angels and fell in love with this artistic endeavor. She told me she fell in love with beads from seeing beautiful necklaces and braclets her daughter had beaded.
I would love to win one of these books! They would help with inspiration. I bead so that I can get the images out of my mind to a format that I can show to other people.
What great books, and a great giveaway!! Enter me please.