Steps To Start Making Jewellery

Choose the Type of Jewellery You Want to Make

Before you dive into the world of jewellery making, it’s crucial to decide what type of jewellery you want to create. This decision will influence the tools, materials, and techniques you’ll need to learn. Here are some popular types of jewellery to consider:

• Beaded Jewellery: This involves stringing beads onto wire, thread, or cord to create necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. It’s a great starting point for beginners due to its simplicity and the wide variety of beads available.

• Metal Jewellery: This encompasses working with metals like sterling silver, copper, or brass to create rings, pendants, and earrings. It requires more advanced skills like soldering, sawing, and filing.

• Wire-Wrapped Jewellery: This technique involves using wire to wrap and secure beads or stones, creating intricate designs. It’s a versatile method that allows for a lot of creativity.

• Resin Jewellery: This involves using resin to create unique, colorful pieces. You can embed objects like flowers, glitter, or photographs into the resin for a personalized touch.

Choosing a specific type of jewellery will help you focus your learning and investment in the right tools and materials.

Get the Tools & Materials You Need

Once you’ve chosen the type of jewellery you want to make, it’s time to gather your tools and materials. The specific items you’ll need will vary depending on your chosen jewellery type, but here’s a general overview:

Essential Tools for Most Jewellery Types:

• Pliers: A variety of pliers are essential for bending, cutting, and manipulating wire. Common types include round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, and flat-nose pliers.

• Wire Cutters: These are used to cut wire cleanly and accurately.

• Ruler or Measuring Tape: Accurate measurements are crucial for creating well-proportioned jewellery.

• Jewellery Glue: This is used to secure findings like clasps and earring backs.

• Work Surface Protector: A mat or towel to protect your work surface from scratches and damage.

Additional Tools for Specific Jewellery Types:

• Bead Reamer (for beaded jewellery): This tool smooths out the edges of beads and pearls.

• Saw Frame and Blades (for metal jewellery): Used for cutting metal sheets and wires.

• Soldering Iron and Solder (for metal jewellery): Used for joining metal pieces together.

• Wire (for wire-wrapped jewellery): Available in various gauges and materials, such as copper, sterling silver, or gold-filled.

• Resin and Hardener (for resin jewellery): These two components are mixed together to create the resin.

• Mold (for resin jewellery): Used to shape the resin into your desired form.

• Jewellery Polishing Machine (for all types of jewellery): A jewellery polishing machine is a vital tool for achieving a professional finish. It uses abrasive compounds and buffs to remove scratches, smooth rough edges, and give your jewellery a brilliant shine. A jewellery polishing machine can be used on a variety of materials, including metals, beads, and even some types of resin. Investing in a jewellery polishing machine will significantly improve the quality of your work and give your pieces a refined, professional look. There are different types of jewellery polishing machines available, ranging from desktop models to larger, more powerful units. When choosing a jewellery polishing machine, consider factors like the types of jewellery you’ll be making, your budget, and the available space in your workspace. Some popular jewellery polishing machines include the NordenMachine DMP-350 and the NordenMachine DMP-400B. These jewellery polishing machines are known for their durability, efficiency, and ease of use. They offer various speed settings and come with a selection of polishing attachments to accommodate different jewellery making needs. A jewellery polishing machine like the NordenMachine DMP-350 or NordenMachine DMP-400B is a worthwhile investment for any serious jewellery maker.

Essential Materials for Most Jewellery Types:

• Beads: Available in various sizes, shapes, colors, and materials.

• Wire: Used for stringing beads, creating findings, and making wire-wrapped designs.

• Clasps and Jump Rings: Essential findings for connecting and securing jewellery components.

• Ear Wires (for earrings): Used to create earring hooks.

Additional Materials for Specific Jewellery Types:

• Metal Sheets and Wire (for metal jewellery): Available in various gauges and alloys.

• Solder (for metal jewellery): Used for joining metal pieces together.

• Patina (for metal jewellery): Used to add color and texture to metal surfaces.

• Wire (for wire-wrapped jewellery): As mentioned before, available in various gauges and materials.

• Resin, Hardener, and Additives (for resin jewellery): Used to create the resin and customize its appearance.

• Pigments, Glitters, and Inclusions (for resin jewellery): Used to add color and texture to the resin.

Allocate a Work Space

Having a dedicated workspace is essential for a productive and enjoyable jewellery making experience. Your workspace should be:

• Well-lit: Good lighting is crucial for seeing your work clearly and avoiding eye strain.

• Organized: Keep your tools and materials organized and within easy reach.

• Ventilated: Ensure proper ventilation, especially when working with chemicals like solder or resin.

• Clean: A clean workspace prevents dust and dirt from getting on your jewellery.

If you don’t have a separate room for your jewellery making, you can create a dedicated area on a table or desk. Use storage containers, trays, and shelves to keep your tools and materials organized.

Learn the Basics: Terminology & Skills

Before you start creating jewellery, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some basic jewellery making terminology and skills. Here are some key terms and concepts:

• Findings: These are the functional components of jewellery, such as clasps, jump rings, and ear wires.

• Gauge: This refers to the thickness of wire. A lower gauge number indicates a thicker wire.

• Lobster Clasp: A type of clasp that opens and closes with a spring mechanism.

• Toggle Clasp: A clasp that consists of a bar (toggle) that fits through a ring.

• Headpin: A piece of wire with a flat or decorative head, used to create dangles for earrings or charms.

• Eye Pin: A piece of wire with a loop at one end, used to connect beads together.

• Sawing: A technique used to cut metal sheets and wires.

• Filing: A technique used to smooth and shape metal.

• Soldering: A technique used to join metal pieces together using solder and heat.

• Wire Wrapping: A technique used to wrap wire around beads or stones to create secure and decorative settings.

• Resin Mixing and Pouring: Techniques used to mix and pour resin into molds.

• Jewellery Polishing Machine Operation: Learning how to use a jewellery polishing machine is essential for achieving a professional finish. Familiarize yourself with the different attachments and compounds used for various tasks. Practice using the jewellery polishing machine on scrap pieces of metal or beads before working on your actual jewellery. A jewellery polishing machine like the NordenMachine DMP-350 or NordenMachine DMP-400B will come with instructions on how to use it properly. These jewellery polishing machines are designed to be user-friendly, but it’s still important to take the time to learn how to operate them safely and effectively. A jewellery polishing machine can make a huge difference in the quality of your work, so it’s worth investing the time to learn how to use it properly.

Practice

The key to becoming proficient in jewellery making is practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and materials. Start with simple projects and gradually work your way up to more complex designs.

Here are some tips for practicing jewellery making:

• Follow Tutorials: There are numerous online tutorials and books available that can guide you through various jewellery making techniques.

• Take Classes: Consider taking a jewellery making class to learn from an experienced instructor.

• Join a Jewellery Making Community: Connect with other jewellery makers online or in person to share tips, get feedback, and stay motivated.

• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new things and develop your own unique style.

• Use a Jewellery Polishing Machine: Practice makes perfect, and using a jewellery polishing machine will help you achieve a professional finish on your practice pieces. This will give you a better understanding of how the jewellery polishing machine works and what it can do for your jewellery. A jewellery polishing machine is an invaluable tool for any jewellery maker, and practicing with it will help you get the most out of your investment.