Does anyone out there make their own jewelry?

[TygerKitty]

Pic 1 - Orange/peach random jewelry... not sure what happened to the color of the bottom earrings; they are a dark coppery bronze color if I remember correctly

Pic 2 - Autumn themed bracelet and watch for my mom as a random present last year (I had to see what size her wrist was lol!)

Pic 3 - Some random bracelets/anklets

Pic 4 - An art deco type bracelet for my mom for Christmas last year

Pic 5 - Wine charms for my sister in law and brother's wedding last year

Ok, I think that's about all my pictures at the moment!

[Sweetwon]

Wow TygerKitty! They are all so pretty. I find it interesting that we all pretty much make the same kind of jewelry. And yes, I did do the wire all by hand. I actually made two pairs of them. One with the brown beads and the other with purple. They are my favorites of my handmade earrings, and they were a pain to make. Someday I might try another pair.

Another question for everyone is where do you get your beads and supplies? I mostly get mine from craft stores, but I have gotten a few things from Fire Mountain.

[TygerKitty]

Awh thanks! I can't believe you did those by hand... I have tried making "fancier" things like that and I can never get them to look even! lol! Very gorgeous!

I buy beads at hobby lobby, michaels, walmart (surprisingly good selection!), sometimes on ebay, I always look at oriental trading company catalogs, ummmm and other random places where I find them (like at a glass blowing shop recently!). I also opened a thread on where to find pendant/focal beads because I can usually find "normal" beads and findings but the really outstanding stuff I have a harder time finding so please answer there if you have good suggestions! Oh, I also am notorious for buying clearance jewelry from lane bryant and target and cutting them apart to make new, pretty things!

[bnjj]

Here are some bracelets I made. I use semi precious stones such as quartz, hematite, jade, citrine, amethyst, blue topaz, etc. I haven't done much jewellery making lately.

[TygerKitty]

bnjj those are gorgeous!

[mariah9999]

Originally Posted by TygerKitty

Pic 1 - Orange/peach random jewelry... not sure what happened to the color of the bottom earrings; they are a dark coppery bronze color if I remember correctly Pic 2 - Autumn themed bracelet and watch for my mom as a random present last year (I had to see what size her wrist was lol!) Pic 3 - Some random bracelets/anklets Pic 4 - An art deco type bracelet for my mom for Christmas last year Pic 5 - Wine charms for my sister in law and brother's wedding last year Ok, I think that's about all my pictures at the moment!

TygerKitty, I love your jewelry! It's all so beautiful!!!

[mariah9999]

Originally Posted by bnjj

Here are some bracelets I made. I use semi precious stones such as quartz, hematite, jade, citrine, amethyst, blue topaz, etc. I haven't done much jewellery making lately.

So beautiful! I love that you use semi-precious stones too! I bet they are even more gorgeous in person!

[jeh3v]

OOO everyone's jewelry is so gorgeous! I really need to learn how to do this. I'm really bad at understanding written instructions, though, so I really need to watch someone do this first. And thanks for the suggestion on crimp, although I don't have a clue what that is. Guess I have a lot to learn!

[TygerKitty]

Awh thanks mariah

jeh3v... I haven't tried the crimp beads thing either.. there's just a section at most craft stores with crimp beads and the crimping tool. I really need to learn it though so that my pieces are more polished! You can at least go to the store and see what it is though... it's by all the other beads generally. Also, I honestly just bought a bunch of stuff and started experimenting. I didn't have anyone to show me anything and I broke lots of findings before getting better! The one thing you might need to look up and try is different types of knots... you need a really good, strong knot to keep your stretchy pieces together. Otherwise, don't be afraid of it! Being a novice is fun

[jeh3v]

Thanks for the advice Tygerkitty! I need to get some of the things to connect the bracelets. Some clasps? I always just did the bracelets on stretchy string, but I too want to make things that are more polished.

[TygerKitty]

^^No prob! Just look in the findings section for various types of closures... they make tons! My only problem with them is that you need to balance out the bracelet or the clasp will flip to the top if it isn't snug on your wrist lol!

[Tracy]

Originally Posted by Sweetwon

Those are pretty Tracy. That is the kind of thing that I make. I like using the stretchy cord as well. jeh3v ~ You need to get crimp beads to put on there. They are tiny little beads (you can find them at any craft store in the jewelry section) that go on the beading wire. You thread the wire through it, through the clasp, and then back through the bead. Then you crimp it with a pair of crimping pliers, or regular ones would probably work too. Hope this helped you out.

^^ those crimp beads annoy me! lol
i recently found these new crimp beads called Scrimp http://www.firemountaingems.com/deta...p?PN=H203252TL

they are some much easier to use and IMO more secure. love em!

[Tracy]

i love everyone's jewelry. it's good to get new ideas for everyone, don't you think?

[elizat]

I do!

I work with semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling and gold wire. I don't like to make earrings b/c I don't wear them, but have made them for my mom to give as gifts.

Here are some things I've done.




The first necklace is wire wrap w/ red line marble and natural white marble; the second is 14k wire w/ freshwater pearls (pink and white, large size, from 8-10 mm), and faceted smoky quartz in the square cushions and center drop, and the last is a two strand w/ green peacock pearls (about 9-10 mm), faceted green amazonite, green jade and filigree silver bead caps.

For the second picture, first is amethyst rounds w/ sterling silver and faceted clasp w/ amethyst, second necklace contains HUGE turquoise nuggets and the last necklace contains freshwater pearls, faceted amazonite, ukanite ovals and rhodonite (pillow shaped pink stones).

[elizat]

Originally Posted by Sweetwon

Those are pretty Tracy. That is the kind of thing that I make. I like using the stretchy cord as well. jeh3v ~ You need to get crimp beads to put on there. They are tiny little beads (you can find them at any craft store in the jewelry section) that go on the beading wire. You thread the wire through it, through the clasp, and then back through the bead. Then you crimp it with a pair of crimping pliers, or regular ones would probably work too. Hope this helped you out.

Ditto. I use wire guardians too to protect the wire. Some crimp beads are easier to work w/ than others. I hate crimp tubes and prefer very small beads, even if they are hard to thread through. If you get round tigertail crimp beads- I've seen them called that, you won't need crimping pliers and can just use flat nose.