Creating Beaded Jewelry

Creating beaded jewelry is an art form. There is nothing very general or boring about this endeavor. The task amounts to several important steps which include finding the colors and materials which best suit your design. If you happen to find some beads which please you and which match the color that you prefer to wear with a particular blouse, sweater or dress that is almost half of making a successful start. Always be aware of the size of the bead holes and the wire material you plan to use. I have found that some beads are way too small to string onto some wire.

There are many beading magazines which can be purchased at the book stores. Some of these give basic beading instructions for the first steps to jewelry making. Your tools are simple but important. You will need special smaller jewelry tools. These include flat pliers, needle nose pliers, and round tip pliers. You can find the three of these often in a quality craft store and as a set of three in the beading section. I mostly use these three in the creation of a necklace or earrings.

I suggest you take a short workshop on making jewelry at your local craft store or bead store. Often if you read about techniques it just isn't the same as actually learning from a teacher. Of course if your girlfriend knows how to make earrings ask her for a lesson. Perhaps you could take her to lunch as a thank you .

Over time you will assemble a large supply of beads, findings, and assorted styles of wire. You will need to consider a system to organize all of your items so that they can easily be located when you are ready to start a project. The divided plastic covered boxes provide the best way to stay organized.

Select a couple of your favorite websites or beading magazines for source supplies. I try to keep ahead of my projects so that the supplies are available when I have a free afternoon. Consider ordering a few months ahead to insure you are ready with everything you need. Beading wire, earring hooks, beads, tools, and various findings are all required to complete the project.

My favorite combinations include using coral and pearls, turquoise and porcelain, and agate with petrified wood beads. You will soon collect your favorite combinations too. Usually I prefer to buy small strands instead of individual beads which are higher priced. A focal bead is one that is larger that you may prefer to use only one time as the center piece of a necklace for example.

Be sure that your wire findings are connected carefully and securely. I have only twice had my necklace fall apart on the run. It can be quite upsetting to lose your beads. This process will take some practice and yes some dexterity using the tools.

Usually I create my design as I go making sure that colors, beads , and materials are a good combination. Also, counting beads is necessary to be sure you have even counts of certain beads on either side of your design and focal point. The center must truly be the center of your necklace or it will hang uneven and look awkward.

Beaded Jewelry is a fun craft. You will want to find a couple of good how to books about beading and a favorite supplier for your projects. After a few projects be creative in your ideas and experiment with wire and bead sizes. I enjoy looking for the perfect beads for my next project as I travel. This all takes time so start with the basics and start on your new project soon!

Some of my projects earrings and necklaces have been seen in local art galleries. Be sure to visit art galleries as you travel and look at the jewelry on display in both the gallery and gift shop.