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The concept of making your own jewelry has always fascinated those with artistic craftsmanship. The items of beauty that you can create with beads will often rival department stores costume jewelry selections at a more modest cost. The wonderful thing about making your own jewelry is that you can tailor them to your own tastes, and perhaps sell them for a profit to others. Are you tired of the limited choices at the department stores? Do you need some tips on beading for beginners to get you started? Can jewelry making instructions help you create your own signature type jewelry? Then you need to follow these simple steps on making jewelry for beginners.

The beads

Beads come in a wide variety, assortment and colors. They can be made out of glass, plastic, metal or wood or the fancier ones can be made out of pearls, gem stones, and precious metals. The choice of course will depend a lot on the amount of money you have available to spend on them. The beads also come in different shapes and sizes, both symmetrical and non-symmetrical, and the variations that you can create are endless. Most of the beads that you need to purchase can be found at art supply shops. The more precious gem stones and metal beads can be purchased through a mail order, or online.

Materials

The choice of string materials will depend on your preference, and the flexibility that the finished piece will need upon completion. Stringing materials can include nylon cords, simple cloth string and flexible beading wire. If flexible beading wire is used you will need to select a medium 49 strand, and the diameter needs to be between.015 and.018 in width. An arts and crafts salesperson can help you with the selection of flexible wire for beading. You will also need to purchase some clasps to connect the ends of the finished jewelry. Different clasps to choose from will include toggles, the lobster claw, S-hooks and eye, or magnetic tips. Depending on type of jewelry being made, other items that might be needed are head pins, eye pins, and crimp beads or tubes used to secure the beads in necklaces and bracelets.

Tools

Jewelry making tools that you will need typically include chain nose pliers, needle nose pliers, and a pair of wire cutters. The chain nose pliers will be used to grip the smaller pieces and opening or closing loops. Needle nose pliers are necessary for making wire loops and the crimping of beads or tubes, and the wire cutters are needed when measuring and cutting flexible beading wire. Designer boards and patterns will also be useful for the beginning jewelry maker. These boards are divided into various lengths, and the grooves help you to arrange or rearrange the beads until you are satisfied with the pattern selected. The premeasured length allows you to cut the string or flexible beading wire, to correct lengths, and eliminates wasted materials.