Getting Started

Think of this section as a sort of Jewelry Making 101. Gain basic skills so you can get started making your own jewelry.

Beginner's Guide to Making Beaded Jewelry
Are you completely new to beading and unsure what you will need to get started? Here's a description of several types of beading and lists of the basic materials you will need in order to give them a try.

Beginner's Guide to Macrame Jewelry
Are you completely new to beading and unsure what you will need to get started? Here's a description of several types of beading and lists of the basic materials you will need in order to give them a try.

Chain Mail & Bead Jewelry
If you've never made chain mail jewelry, here's an easy beginner project. This is an updated take on the classic European 4-in-1 chain mail pattern. The beads are optional, but they add distinction and will help you see the pattern as you make the mail.

Determining Your Ring Size - Ring Sizing Chart
Use these instructions and International conversion chart to determine your ring size and convert the size to its equivalent in other countries.

Getting Started with Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is easy to work with, doesn't require special equipment, and offers limitless design possibilities for jewelry. Here's an introduction to polymer clay basics.

Getting Started with Wirework
You can make wire-wrapped jewelry, chain mail, chains, flowers, and more with wire and a few simple tools. Are you new to wirework? Let's get started!

Gold Jewelry Care Tips
The proper care for your gold jewelry will keep it beautiful for a lifetime and beyond. Here are some gold care tips and cautions.

How Many Beads Do You Need?
This is a collection of useful tables, including beads per gram, beads per inch or centimeter, beads per square inch or square centimeter, beads per 16" (common strand length), and average number of beads per package size.

How to Add a Tension or Stopper Bead
A tension or stopper bead keeps your beads from falling off the thread and maintains the structure of a piece of beawork. Learn how to do this essential beading technique.

How to Close a Crimp Bead
Crimping is a technique used to secure beading wire. It's commonly used to connect clasps, although it can also be used as a design element, too. Basically, it involves crushing a metal bead or coil onto the wire, to hold it in place. Here's how you do it!

How to Make Bead & Wire Flowers
Here's a versatile and super-easy bead and wire flower. I used it to make a hair pin, but these flowers make great additions to all types of jewelry.

How to Make a Clasp
It's really easy to make your own clasps using nothing more complicated than wire, cutters, and a pair of pliers!

How to Make Earwires
It's easy to make your own earwires using roundnose pliers or a jig. Why would you want to make earwires? You can choose your own metal, style, and gauge. This gives you more design options than you would get ordering pre-made earwires, plus it's a great way to save money.

How to Make Hemp Flower & Spiral Jewelry
Make a macrame hemp spiral and beaded flower choker, bracelet, or anklet. It's so easy, you might want to make all three! I've included instructions for altering the flower pattern and for making a simple bead/loop closure. Great for beginners, kids, teens, or anyone looking to make great jewelry quickly and inexpensively.

How to Make a Jig for Wire Jewelry
It's easy to make your own jig to make wire jewelry, earrings, clasps, and other components. All you need is a piece of wood, some finishing nails, and a hammer. Here's how you do it...

How to Make Jump Rings
Jump rings are great all-purpose connectors, although you can also use them as primary components for chain maille and other types of jump ring jewelry. They are easy to make, but there are a few tricks to making them right! Don't limit yourself to round rings - try triangles, hexagons, squares, and ovals.

How to Open & Close Jump Rings
This is a basic technique, but it's important to do it right. Find out how to open and close jump rings correctly

How to Make a Beaded Spiral Rope Chain
This easy beading stitch results in a flexible rope of beads. The spiral rope looks lovely by itself, but it is also easy to embellish either during the beadweaving or after the rope is complete.

How to Make Beaded Stars or Mandalas
Learn circular peyote (gourd) stitch and netting! These beaded stars or mandalas are easy to stitch and make great earrings, pendants, or small ornaments. You can adapt these instructions to make stars of other sizes or with more/fewer points.

How to Make Pearl Earstuds
Pearl earstuds are a classic fashion accessory, jewelry store staple, and a great gift idea. High quality materials and careful attention to technique will make the difference between heirloom treasures and earstuds that look ill-matched and fall apart. Learn how to do it right!

How to Price Handcrafted Jewelry
Do you want to sell your handcrafted jewelry? First you'll need to set prices. Your final prices will be unique to your circumstances, but here are some pricing formulas to get you started.

Hugs & Kisses Ring Tutorial
Make this elegant ring with beads and stringing material or wire. It's a great beginner project.

Make a Beaded Spider Ornament
This quick and easy project is great for kids, yet can be used to make a spider worthy of becoming an heirloom. Make spiders for Halloween and as traditional Christmas ornaments and as suncatchers and pendants... you get the idea!

Mohs Scale of Hardness
Diamonds are forever, but a lot of gemstones will scratch or wear away if used in inappropriate settings. Check where a stone stands on the Mohs hardness scale, especially before using it in a ring or bracelet. I've listed the hardness of some common household items so you can test a material's hardness yourself.

Origins of Jewelry Names
Learn the origins of jewelry words, such as 'necklace', 'bracelet', 'earrings'.

Ganoksin - Tips from the Jeweler's Bench
The Ganoksin Project offers lots of tips and tricks for jewellers. Check out their archives and learn!