Jewellery Making

Jewellery making is a fun activity that lets you express your creative side. Seeing that there are tons of different types of jewellery, your best bet is to narrow it down to what type of jewellery you want to make and then go from there. Once you get the hang of one type, you can always transition into other realms of jewelry. The tools that you buy will most likely be useful across the board, as well as many of your supplies.

Below you will find the different types of jewellery described in some detail. You can then click on each of them to go directly to their ShopWiki guides to get the best information.

Jewellery Types
Beading This is the easiest place to start for beginners. Beading can be interpreted into many different styles and designs. You could make a 60s style chunky necklace or classy and formal chandelier earrings. All you really need is beads, wire, and some findings (clasps). As you work, you'll get more and more accustomed to this tedious activity and thoroughly enjoy it!	Macramé  Macramé originates from the 60s, however it is still a popular and fun way to make jewellery. This lightweight and casual jewellery is made with macramé fibre, hemp, or wax cord. By knotting the fibre, you can make designs, which add focal interest to the piece. You can also thread pendants and beads into the design. This is a great way to make bracelets, necklaces, even belts and handbags. Macramé is relatively inexpensive and a great way to express your inner creativity.	Polymer Clay Polymer clay isn't really a type of jewellery making , but rather a material that you can use to create whatever you want. The best part about this clay is its versatility. Its malleability and texture allow the clay to take any shape that you wish. Once you bake it, it hardens and dries out. This is a great medium for making beads or pendants that you can then string onto wire or cord and wear as jewellery. You're going to need an oven for baking the clay, as well as pliers to poke the hole in your home-made beads.	Kiln

Wire Working Tools 

Bent Nose Pliers  These are used to shape or straighten wire and hold it in its place. Avoid sets with ridges on the inside-those can scratch the wire.	Round Nose Pliers These can help you curve the wire and make perfect hooks or loops. Consider purchasing both a small and large set since your needs will vary.	Wire Cutters  These are an absolute must when working with wire. Nothing else is going to cut it! The sharper the cutter, the longer it will last!	Ring Mandrel raw hide hammer  A ring mandrel is a useful tool used for sizing metal or wire rings for earrings and rings. Use with a raw hide hammer  to avoid scratching your jewellery.	Jeweller's Files  Files come in a variety of sets and packs depending on your needs. They are used to smooth out the metal you work with. Try to get a set with wooden handles-they are much more comfortable to hold.

Bench Block  A perfectly sturdy and flat surface to work with wire or metal.	Chasing Hammer  This tool is used with the bench block to hammer the wire flat.	Chain Nose Pliers  Pliers that help make perfect angles in wire. Square on the outside, flat on the inside, with a tapered nose makes them helpful for reaching those hard to get spots.	Thing-a-ma-jig Wire Jig  Jigs help make delicate details easy and hassle-free.	Wire Twister  A twister will help you twist small pieces of wire with just one hand. A hand drill  will generally perform the same task.

Findings

Findings is the term that refers to all those little tiny pieces of hardware most overlook when thinking about jewelry. If you're going to be making jewellery, then you're going to want to familiarize yourself with some of these types of findings. Here are some basics: 

Jump Ring  These are the little rings that connect the clasps to each other or to the  wire itself. You can make these yourself, but it might be easier to buy them in bulk pre-made.	Ear Wires  Basically the post part of a hanging earring, these come in many styles, whether you're looking for open or closed.	Ear posts and Ear nuts  Some come pre made like this one, others come separately and you assemble them yourself. If you are looking to make earrings with a stone, like pearl, as the main focal point, you'll want to get a pearl back style, which cups the stone in place.	Pendant Settings  These are designed to set the stone in place, instead of having one wrapped by a wire. They are available for rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.	14k End Caps  End caps go at the end of a chain and can also be used as part of a clasp. These are generally used to end a bead sequence or design on a metal chain.

Clasp Types
Lobster Claw Clasp	Spring Ring Clasp	Tube Clasp	Pearl Clasp

Toggle Clasps	Hook and Eye Clasp	Magnetic Clasps	Barrel Clasp

Wire Types 

Sterling silver 
non-tarnishing 
Silver-plated wire 
Gold 
gold-plated wire