Getting started

I am interested in making jewelry with my daughter but need help with where to begin.  What tools are needed for a beginner?  What are your thoughts on how to begin?

[Luann Udell]

Hey R&T staff, this would be an excellent FAQ topic!  It comes up so often....

To get you started, jewelry quality needle nose pliers and round nose pliers, and a pair if cutter.  The ones from the electrical supply section of your hardware store are too big, too heavy and too rough to work with nice wire.  You can buy cheapie versions of these in the $5 or so range, really nice ones later at $20 and up.  Nice ones are wonderful, but the $5 will last you a long time, too.  

Headpins and eyepins, but if you can't get both, just headpins.  You can cut the heads off to make your own eyepins.  2" is a good length--long enough to do wraps and to work with larger components.  1.5" I just kept running out of pin...   Standard gauge (can't remember, is that 21 gauge?) works for almost all beads, fine gauge (22-24 gauge??) will go through pearl holes and the smaller holes you often find in semi-precious stone beads.
Sterling is very nice, but you can use base metals when you're starting out and for practice.

A selection of findings--earwires (fishhook styles are basic and almost everyone wears them); clasps (toggles work better than S-clasps, spring rings are good, lobster claw and oval claw clasps are a bit sturdier.  Jump rings to connect everything together.  You'll want a selection of smaller ones to hook things onto other things (clasps onto chain or stringing material) and larger ones to act as connector rings for the clasps.  You'll want both open rings and soldered/closed rings.

Depending on the stringing material you use, you'll want large end crimps for leather cord, small crimps for tiger-tail style stringing like SoftFlex and Cflex, etc.  You may want bead tips to secure the ends of silk cord.  What else...?

You'll want a tube of jeweler's glue to secure knots, crimps, etc.

And a pair of small sharp scissors.  And something like an ice cube tray to set out all your beads (there are tons of storage trays out there).  A towel to lay out your designs if you don't want to spring for one of those fancy design boards.

Oh yeah--about a billion beads.  You better get started on those!  '>  

Where to begin?  Earrings are simple and quick, hard to go wrong with those.  Bracelets are quick and easy and don't take a lot of supplies.  Simple necklaces with one pendant (hint--think "single earring") are a nice way to get started without getting too involved in design and symmetry...

That ought to get you started, but be warned--it NEVER stops!  
Luann

[Polly]

Hi Luann, thanks for the great reply.

A couple of us are going to sit down and come up with a couple of "starter kit" lists of tools and supplies.
Perhaps one list for beginning wire-working, another list for beading/stringing, and another list for ... um, what's another good category?

Because it's summer, people's vacations and crafts shows are causing a little scheduling mayhem, so this might take a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, I'm hoping people post other ideas of jewelry-making essentials.

And, Nancy, what type(s) of jewelry are you thinking about making?

--Polly

[LynnK]

Luann, GREAT list.  Espcially the "billion beads" '>...GOK I have at least that many!!

My best "starter" tip?  A tax-exempt number so you can buy all kinds of stuff at R&T instead of spending big bucks at retail hobby stores for lower quality merchandise.

Seriously, if you are going into business at all, this is a necessity.  You don't want to have inferior products at high prices if you are reselling!

[PixieBella]

Hi just wanted to chime in and say I came on this afternoon hoping to find a answer to this very question! its a good one! look forward to seeing it added when you can as a FAQ.

this is such a great site! by the way with the shopping and the discussion forum I love it so far!

 im looking for a jewlers saw...have to go back and see if thats somthing you sell here?
PixieBella

[Polly]

Hi Pixie,

We do have some small saws in our online store.  To see if these are what you're looking for, try this search for saw frame.


And, we will be working on those starter lists this Wednesday.

We'll make a few different starter lists, because the tools and supplies required vary, depending on what general types of things you'll be making.  Mostly stringing?  Different starter list than wire working.  Mostly making items from chain, eye pins, and head pins?  A subset of the stringing and wire working list.  Also, stringing using Beadalon/SoftFlex/jewelry cable uses a little different list than stringing with silk or nylon cord.

--Polly

[PixieBella]

Hi great!! yes I'm looking as wire working things and am not sure what to get...Im eyeing the jigs? but dont know..i see a finer one and the others...so I really not sure what do get to get started...to start making things...Id like to be able to make filigree things and I see the technique of crocheting or knitting wire Id like to try...I just dont know where to begin. Im getting over welmed.

Look forward to you list...

[Polly]

Hi again Pixie,

#62-449 All Wired Up: Wire Techniques for the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker is a very good book for beginners and more advanced wire workers.  We also have a few smaller wireworking books that are also good for subsets of wireworking ideas (such as 62-389 Wire Crochet: Knit, Tassels & More!).

Personally, I don't think you need a jig to start out with.  They are for replicating patterns once you have a base of items that you wan to make "repeats" of.  All you need for starting out, is a few pairs of good pliers, and a good book or teacher.  And some inexpensive wire to turn into scrap. '>

Here is a list of some handy wire-working tools.

--Polly

[marym]

--Polly[/quote]

Quote

A couple of us are going to sit down and come up with a couple of "starter kit" lists of tools and supplies.

I believe I'm one of those people... so I have to say:
Luann- Thanks for preparing me so well!!!!  I'm printing off this list and taking it with me to our "beginners" meeting.    

We're going to have to keep an eye on this thread and give it a little bump when it starts to fall down the list of discussions... we do get this question a LOT!!  '>  (And it's truly a good one to get).  

(Thanks to Lynn and Luann for always sharing your wealth of  knowledge)!

-Mary

[Luann Udell]

I'm happy to give back a little to the wonderful R&T community!  '>
(just back from Michigan!)
Luann

[DrB3]

HI!
I noticed one of the things suggested was "a tax exempt number".

Are you talking about a "retail tax ID number" or about acquiring tax exempt status? There's a big difference.

I have a retail tax id # because I sell products that I must collect taxes on. Is this what I need to buy from R and T?

I would think (and hope) so. Unless you only sell to philanthropists!
 '>

[Todd]

Quote (DrB3 @ Sep. 12 2005,01:42)

HI! I noticed one of the things suggested was "a tax exempt number". Are you talking about a "retail tax ID number" or about acquiring tax exempt status? There's a big difference. I have a retail tax id # because I sell products that I must collect taxes on. Is this what I need to buy from R and T? I would think (and hope) so. Unless you only sell to philanthropists!  '>

Yes, it is your Tax ID #.

[Polly]

A few FAQs we've posted now:

Getting Started, Stringing and Beading
A (very) short starter list for beadweaving

Which clasp should I use?

~~Polly