How To Make Jewelry

And Other Crafty Tips and Tricks

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There are so many tips and techniques out there on how to make jewelry and related crafts. I do like researching and collecting these tips and techniques so that the whole process of making jewelry is easier, more professional, and more fun. Here I continue to gather together a collection of How-To not just with respect to jewelry making but to other crafts and related fields of interest like wire work, felting, knitting, crochets, etc.

Honestly it is anything that comes across my path that I find useful and interesting. And as mix media is increasingly popular and trendy, the lines between jewelry making and other forms of artistic endeavours are merging nicely.

There is also a section on free beading patterns/ tutorials on how to make jewelry.

HOW TO Table of Contents

BEADING Jewelry Making Techniques
CROCHET Some useful Crochet How Tos, Tuts, Tips
FINISHING Jewelry Technique
JEWELRY CHART - ring sizes, Swarovski color charts, wire gauges, etc.
FREE Jewelry Patterns and Projects (new window)
KNOTTING Techniques

SPECIFIC Jewelry Making Techniques
SWAROVSKI - How to / Application Instructions (new window)
TOOLS - How to Use
WIRE Jewelry Making Techniques
MISCELLANEOUS Tips and Tricks

BEADING Jewelry Making Techniques

How to ..

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CROCHET Useful Tips, Tricks, How Tos, Tutorials

How to ..

Crochet Cord - Duo Sided Crochet Cord

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JEWELRY CHARTS

Jewelry Making related charts ...

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FINISHING Jewelry Techniques

How to ..

Bead and Loop Clasp - self-made
Bead Cones for Multistrand Jewelry
Calotte Crimp to finish
Calotte in Multistrand jewelry - how to finish
Clamshell Crimp to finish
Cord Ends - ending the right way
Crimp Bead to finish wire or thread
Crimp Cover -how to finish with
End Bars for Multistrand jewelry
French wire - attach strung beads to clasp
Leather Crimp to finish cord jewelry
Memory Wire: finish with simple loops
Sliding Bead finishing technique for Thongs
Sliding Knots finishing technique for Thongs
Spring End to finish cord/thong jewelry

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SPECIFIC Jewelry Making Techniques

How to ..

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KNOTTING Techniques

How to ..

How to Knot - an overview
Double Overhand Knot - Knotting Between (larger holed) Beads
Knotting to Space/Float Beads
Reef Knot Strand - Application 1
Reef Knot with Double Thread - Knotting Between (larger holed) Beads
Reef Knot (Square Knot) - Knot Instructions
Single Overhand Knot - Knotting Between (small holed) Beads

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TOOLS

How to Use ..

Crimping Pliers

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WIRE Jewelry Making Techniques

How to ..

Re:	Tips and Tricks
Headpins/Eyepins: soft vs hard	Pins comes in the soft and hard version. When using them to make earring (as in earring drops), use the hard version.
Loops - spare length for Closed loops	Leave at least 3cm (about 1½ inch) spare length of wire when you are making a secure closed loop with wire.
Loops - spare length for simple loops	Leave at least 8mm (5/6 inch) spare length of wire when you are making a simple loop with wire.
Straighten & Strengthen wire	Using nylon-jawed pliers (so as not to mar your wire) or your fingers, and run them up and down the length of your wire a few times will strengthen the wire. Hammering wire (as with hammer and block) will also strengthen the wire.
Wire Gauges - for Earrings	For things like making earring drops, the most common and suitable gauge to use is between 0.6 to 0.8 mm. This will be modified depending on the size and weigth of your beads. (see Wire Gauge Conversion table)
Wire; Practising with	When practising a new technique using wire (e.g. making loops with wire), use copper or silver plated wires as they are inexpensive and easy to use.