Techniques that got me started

In this posting, I will explain how I got started with jewelry making. These techniques are not only great for beginners, but even with more complicated designs.

For this bracelet, I used nylon coated beading wires, glass beads, metal charm beads, 2 crimp beads, needle nosed pliers, and wire cutters. Here are the beads I used:



To start, decide how much wire to use by wrapping it around your wrist and deciding how tight or loose you want it, and then give yourself a couple inches extra so you have room to put on the clasps. Once you know how much you need, use your wire cutters to cut the length you will be using.



Next, you need a crimp bead and one end of your clasp. Put the crimp bead on your wire followed by the clasp, and loop the closest end of the wire back through the crimp bead.



Next, use needle nosed pliers (or a crimp tool) to "smash" the crimp bead and secure the clasp.



Now you can start adding beads to the wire. You can have a very symmetrical pattern, or string them at random. I did a mix between the two for this piece. To make it easier to put the bracelet on, it's best to use small beads on both ends. Be sure to put the beads on both the main strand and the one that was looped through the crimp bead.



Once you have put on the amount of beads you want, which should be enough to create the length you desire, put another crimp bead and the other part of your clasp on the wire. Loop the wire over the clasp and through the crimp bead as you did before, as well as a few beads to make it more secure. Then hold the clasp with one hand and use the needle nosed pliers to tighten the wire.



After you have finished this step, smash the crimp bead as you did before and snip off any extra wire. Then wear and enjoy!



The matching necklace:




Keep reading for more tips!