Learn to make Earrings with our Fab set of Nine Pairs!

September 11, 2009 at 5:07 pm | Jewellery kits, jewellery making

To help anyone who wants to learn how to make earrings without buying loads of  separate packs of findings and different beads we have provided an easy earring  making pack!

Nine Pairs of Earrings to make

All the beads, findings and instructions that you need to make nine pretty pairs of earrings are included.

You will of course need jewellery making tools, namely round nosed pliers, flat or chain nosed pliers and wire cutters.

The earrings include designs in Swarovski crystal, cloissonne and foiled glass.

Gold is the new Silver

September 10, 2009 at 9:42 am | jewellery making

If you make and sell jewellery I am sure that you find the demand for silver outweighs gold by a significant amount. In my case more than 100 to 1 but we have started to find more and more customers wanting gold plated findings as well as the silver ones.

Why not take a look at your bead boxes to see what you have that will go well with either antique gold or the standard gold plating.

Cloissonne Hearts

I have just been trying cloissonne beads with the antiqued finish headpins and earwires and it looks fab!

We will shortly be increasing the styles of GP chain available on the site, I’ll pop a notice on here when that happens.

It is so easy to get stuck in a jewellery making rut. Have a go with gold and see what you come up with.

Pandora Style Charm Bracelets

September 8, 2009 at 11:52 am | jewellery making

If you are making a special bracelet for a friend’s birthday don’t forget to add something to mark it out as special  and a bit different.  Make a charm from a favourite bead, hang it on a jump ring and thread it on along with the ready made beads. Perhaps add a gift box charm to celebrate the event.

Gift box charm bead

It is very easy to make jewellery using pandora style beads and snake chains, but that in no way diminishes the pleasure a cute and thoughtfully designed bracelet will bring. Look at our complete range of charm bracelet beads for inspiration

Making a Bead Wristband

September 5, 2009 at 8:21 am | Jewellery kits, jewellery making

Here is an idea for all those  little trays & boxes of beads hanging around from your jewellery making projects that you can’t seem to find a use for. Turn them into beaded wristbands using a variety of stringing materials. You could combine cotton thong and ribbon, or try multiple strings of silk cord or coloured beading wire. I have used leather in this purple beaded bracelet which I have knotted and finished with a couple of thong clamps and a cute ladybird bead on the end of the fastening.

Stampings for steam Punk

September 2, 2009 at 7:50 pm | jewellery making

Steampunk jewellery is increasingly popular with many keen beaders making jewellery at home. It is based on antique brass chains and jewellery  findings combined with vintage style beads and occasionally old watch parts.

We have just launched a new range of stampings and  beads for the vintage look in jewellery making. Combine them with our antique chains and findings, mix in some dark pearls, a vintage locket and a few cloissonne beads for the full effect.

The filigree stampings resembling  snowflakes and flowers are perfect for adding a delicate lacework look to earrings and chokers. Use them as links in necklaces or as charms on bracelets. Add an antique clasp and you are well on the way to creating jewellery making’s hottest look of the moment.

The jewellery making craze is spreading

August 30, 2009 at 11:11 am | jewellery making

The credit crunch has affected many people up and down the country and the doom and gloom doesn’t seem to have lifted. But in times of trial, it has been proved time and time again that people find new ways to adapt. This has certainly been the case with jewellery making.

As peoples’ spending budgets have been reduced, the number of people joining up with DIY classes and courses in the creative industries has increased substantially. Instead of going out and paying the top prices for jewellery items, many  people have chosen to have a go themselves.

Arts and craft shops are stocking up with beads and jewellery kit supplies and people are turning to jewellery making websites to get some inspiration and ideas on how to create on trend  designs. Many are even deciding to go into the jewellery business themselves and are opening up independent bead shops.

This is not surprising as many apprehensive  jewellery making beginners decide they enjoy making their jewellery so much that they want to do it full time and work for themselves. You can start by making jewellery for friends and family to gain some confidence. Who knows, before long you could end up finding a niche in the market and maybe specialise in jewellery using glass or Swarovski beads!