Jewelry Making Books
The biggest challenge I seem to have when I make jewelry is figuring out what to make.
Where are these reference books and magazines found?
There is a challenge with the above method, finding your supplies, unless you live near a fabulous bead or craft supply store, it can be a daunting task. There are hundreds if not thousands of jewelry making books and bead catalogs, in paper form as well as internet, to find your supplies for your intended project.
Not all of them are expensive, but if you have a mind to use the finer supplies, the cost will go up. If money is as tight for you, as it is for me, patience can be the biggest reward. Here is another bad word 'saving'.
Are you still intimidated by the thought of jumping into making jewelry? Fear not. If gathering ideas, and supplies has you hesitant, there is still hope of getting your feet wet without jumping into the lake of imagination and design. Kits. There are many jewelry-making kits out there and we are talking thousands.
I am talking about small kits that make a pretty necklace and matching bracelet set, or a few pairs of earrings.
Getting Started With Wire Jewelry Making - Jewelry making books
Making wire jewelry is a popular and rewarding hobby for many people.
SETTING UP YOUR JEWELRY WORKSHOP
Lighting is very important in jewelry making. There are special types of lighting and bulbs available that simulate natural sun light.
You will also need a way to organize and store all of your jewelry making tools and supplies as well as a surface or bench to work on.
WIRE JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES
- Pliers
There are a wide assortment of pliers and cutters available for wire jewelry artists and each tool has its own purpose. Most professional and experienced wire jewelry artists will normally have a big collection of these tools on hand, but for a beginner it is not necessary.
Springs enable the artist to control tension on the wire. Pliers are also available with nylon jaws that prevent scratching on the wire.
- Flat Nose Pliers
These are excellent for holding, flattening and straightening wire.
- Round Nose Pliers
- Flush Wire Cutter
A good flush wire cutter will cut through gold, silver, brass or copper wire and give you a flush even cut.
WIRE
Smaller wire has a higher gage number. For instance a 28 gage wire has a smaller diameter then a 14 gage wire. For your first wire jewelry pieces, it is probably best to begin with a higher gage wire, which will be easier to work with.
Round wire is a more popular choice amongst wire jewelry makers, but the other shapes can give your jewelry pieces a unique and interesting look.
Wire also comes in different degrees of hardness.
Wire hardness is available from dead soft to extra hard. Dead soft wire is very soft and easy to work with. Wire is also available in a variety of different metals.
CREATING YOUR FIRST PIECE OF WIRE JEWELRY
Go online or to your favorite book store and purchase a beginner book on wire jewelry making or jewelry making books. You can also invest in a home study course.
You can even start your own lucrative home based business making wire jewelry.
I hope this introduction to wire jewelry making has helped and has gotten you excited enough to explore this craft in more detail.