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The Kitchen Table

anyone make jewelry?

14 years ago

I'm interested in learning how to make jewelry, and wonder if anyone has suggestions on where to begin. I've been googling a little bit this AM, but there is so much to learn!

Perhaps buying a jewelry making kit is a good way to begin. Are there any recommendations as to a brand? Also, there are so many tools available that I'm leaning towards a kit for that reason alone!

If it helps, I'd like to make bracelets and earrings with Swarovski crystals. Maybe a trip to Michaels is in order!

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Comments (5)

jimrbto
14 years ago
When you say "make jewelry" you are speaking about a vast number of skills.
If you area primarily interested in making bead type items I would suggest that you pay a visit to a couple "gem and mineral shows" that are presented in the great state of TX by their large number of clubs.
Take the time to go visit,: www.rockhounds.com =index =scroll down to "Rock and Gem Magazine Show Calendar" there you will find a list by month and day of most of the shows in the U.S. Don't let the name "gems" scare you, most of the shows today have a LARGE number of dealers that sell only beads and bead tools and supplies. Any dealer there will be more than willing to help you with any question you could have. Also at rockhounds.com there are a number of other categories you may want to explore and the book section is good also. I got started at age 16 grinding rocks and it has been full speed ahead to now age 73. I don't do beads but do cut and fashion all kinds of gem stones and make my own settings in gold and silver. Not gold so much anymore - too costly.
There is a club right there in Houston that you can look up in the club list and for sure a lot of people there will be willing to help and advise you. see the club list at rockhounds.com. If I can be of any further assistance just holler.
Jim
azzalea
14 years ago
You probably want to look to finding a class that will help you get started--check local art centers, community adult education, craft stores, community college, etc--to see if anyone is offering the kind of class that would be helpful to you. Not only will you gain the knowledge that will be invaluable, but in many cases, you'll have access to (expensive) equipment, that you can use in class while you decide if this is a hobby you want to invest a lot of cash into.

I've never done that type of jewelry, but it sounds like a fun thing to take up--have fun with it.
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Fire Mountain Gems is usually the first place to start, they're doing more and more 'jewelry fabrication' stuff every time a new catalog comes out. http://www.jfallen.com/wholesale/category/22148/ is also a pretty good resource.
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honestly, all my jewelry crafting toolboxes are packed away- there's a dish of beads out on my sewing table from a dreamcatcher I made back in april- but jewelry is very much a winter time thing for me- there's no way I'm spending a hot summer night beading, or worse, working with a torch and a hammer! I'll admit to not having a scanner or a digital camera, either (and we just finished up a roll of film- the first picture was date-stamped june of 2003, which gives you an idea of how often we take pictures ;) but maybe we can get something going anyway, if you girls really want to start a discussion? because Jewelry really encompasses ALL those other areas- they can be painted, worked in any number of materials... my boss just got into a new project- making pins with scraps of old toiles on shank button forms. we're going to edge some of them with grosgrain ribbon, some of them with lace- I think they're going to look pretty dashing, and am thinking about doing the same with some of her tiny little florals (she's working with figurative toiles at the moment) I'm not happy with the pin backs- but I never do pins because I LOATHE every single commercially available pin back. they're ugly, and clunky looking.
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ruthieg__tx
14 years ago
Most of the bead shops around here offer classes....they generally are not expensive because they sell you the beads.
sherwoodva
14 years ago
I agree with the others - start with a class. I took one that showed us know to knot the thread when doing necklaces. I'm sure other classes teach other techniques.

Have fun!
oldgardener_2009
14 years ago
I took a class in making sterling silver jewelry where I cut silver and shaped it into pins and so forth, then polished the silver.

You can take classes at community colleges.

Go to Fire Mountain Gems online. They have tons of beads and supplies.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fire Mountain Gems

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