Design Your Own Style: DIY Jewellery Making for Beginners

For all those who find delight in art and craft ideas and handcrafting things; we have a special tutorial for you–jewellery making! DIY jewellery has a charm of its own; it compliments you and your aura in a whirl of uniqueness and creativity and adds character to your style. And the best part about all of it is that you don’t have to be an expert at handcrafting or jewellery making. Artkala brings you a special tutorial for jewellery making with easy-to-follow instructions and special designs.

Jewellery-Making Guide For Beginners 

As a beginner, you need essential tools in stock, such as decorative materials and jewellery kits. You should also be familiar with measurement tips, tool and material uses, and material variety before you start the DIY jewellery tutorial. There’s no reason to be intimidated by these heavy requirements, for Artkala has simplified every nook and corner of handcrafting below.

Jewellery-making Essentials

The most essential jewellery tools consist of different kinds of pliers and wire cutters, while the optional tools below are useful. However, they are not necessary but can enhance the design and help you create more versatility for your accessories.

1. Essential Tools

• Flat nose pliers: Its wide and flat surface helps in holding the material in place and in straightening the wire.
• Chain nose pliers: Useful for closing or opening jump rings and shaping wire.
• Round nose pliers: Ideal for creating wire loops or eye pins.
• Crimping pliers: Helps in securing the crimps and wire ends.
• Side cutters: Helps in thin (approx 1mm) wire cutting.
• Ruler: Used to measure cord or chain lengths.
• Jewellery Glue: Metal glue, like the B-7000 Multi Purpose superglue.

1. Optional tools

• Nylon Jaw Pliers to straighten the wire without scratches.
• Heavy-duty side cutter to cut thick wires.
• Triblet to make thick wire rings and adjust their size.
• Tweezers to pick up small findings, beads, etc.
• A multi-section storage box for raw materials and a jewellery tray.

After the tools, here are the raw materials you need to collect:

1. The essential raw materials

• 5-6 mm Jump rings in gold, silver, or any other colour that matches your chain. 
• Headpins to attach beads into a chain or pendant.
• Eyepins for various purposes, but mostly to use as a connector. 
• Clasps, like lobster locks, toggle, or S-hook, connect the ends of chains.
• Crimp beads secure the ends of wire or pins. 
• 1-2 mm for pendants and 4-5 mm for paper clip chains for bracelets.
• Extension link chain
• Nylon and elastic cords
• Earring hooks
• Beads stopper

1. The Design-oriented Raw Materials 

Get your hands on colourful beads in various sizes and designs, such as glass, seed, and crystal beads. Beads are decorative essentials in jewellery making. Earring hoops, enamel charms, silver or golden tiny charms, tassels, etc., are also essential. You can choose the material that suits your jewellery design, style preferences, and budget.

Jewellery Size Measurement Tips 

The most suitable bracelet cord or chain length for women is 7-8 inches, whereas for men, it is 9-11 inches. Similarly, the ideal necklace chain length for women is 18 inches, and for men, 20 inches. To avoid inconveniences later, keep 5-6 inches extra in the estimate for the cords or wire. Moreover, you can get a ready-to-use chain with an extender to make the process easier.

Steps to Make a DIY Beaded Bracelet

1. Choose and arrange the beads required for the bracelet in a tray to avoid hassles. For a more quirky look, add beads of two different sizes, like 4mm and 8mm, or use a single size for a more simple, chic look. If you are using only 8mm round beads, 22 beads are required for a 7-inch chord, and for making a bracelet of 4mm round beads, double the quantity.
2. Measure your wrist and cut the cord 5-6 inches longer than the measured size. Choose an adjustable elastic cord for this purpose.
3. Attach a bead stopper at one end of the cord and start stringing the beads into the cord.
4. Next, remove the stopper, tie a double knot at the end of the cord, stretch it a bit to test it, and apply a glue drop on the knot to secure it.
5. Trim the excess cord and push the knot into the bead's hole to hide it. (Hiding the knot is easier if you use 8mm beads for bracelet making)

Steps to Make an Elegant Charm Necklace

1. For easier attachment of the jump ring, use a 2mm chain.
2. Cut an 18 inches long chain (15 inches if attaching an extender). 
3. Attach a lobster lock using a jump ring on one end of the chain or extender. On the other end, simply attach the jump ring using a chain plier.
4. Similarly, measure the centre of the chain and attach your favourite enamel charm with the help of a jump ring and plier. 
5. Ensure you open and pass the end of the jump ring through the tiny loop of the chain to ensure the enamel charm is in a stable position.