subject: Making Glass Jewelry [print this page] Information on glass jewelry making can be divided into the following categories: information on different kinds of glass beads and other material, on how to make glass jewelry, and the different techniques of creating this. You can make stylish and spectacular jewelry using different kinds of glass beads in various patterns, and crafting necklaces, bracelets and earrings with glass beads is now popular because they are unique and relatively inexpensive.
*Materials: The most basic step in making glass jewelry is making the bead itself by lamp-working. This method is used most as it is simple and easy. Many different kinds of beads can be produced using this method. In jewelry making basics, you must first know how the material looks-clasps, diachronic glass beads, clamp shells, bugle beads, crimp beads, seed beads and bead caps are the most common materials. You first need to know the uses of all these beads, before you can start making jewelry. Other than beads, there are things you'll need to get started with making glass jewelry-flexible beading wire, lobster clasps or toggle clasps, adhesives, cutters, pliers and pin vises.
So now that you know what the basic materials are, it's time to take them up and start making glass jewelry.
*Methods of Crafting: Learning the basics of glass jewelry means learning the basics of how to make your jewelry. Every detail, at this stage, can be simplified to make it easy for you, the beginner, to understand and implement. First find a quiet workplace where you won't be disturbed, and arrange your tools and materials on it, within easy reach. Now conceptualize a design that appeals to you-if you find it difficult to do so, you might want to attend a class about crafting glass jewelry first, as this will help you attain some knowledge. Choose beads and/or semi-precious stone that fits your design and only then get acquainted with techniques needed to make jewelry-stringing, wire-wrapping, stitching and knotting are some such.
Now onto some other things you'll likely need.
*Further Tools: As we've already discussed, you'll need certain basic items to get started in making glass jewelry-shell beads, craft clasps, beading wire, colored beads, and, of course, glass beads. But we'd also recommend that you purchase a basic glass jewelry making pattern book-in addition to or as substitute for attending classes. This will assist you in developing a broad understanding of the usual designs and techniques and materials, and then you can purchase beads that suit your imagination and the design you have conceptualized-as beads are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, colors and substances, only your imagination constrains you.
Maybe you need to know where to purchase your material from.
*Buying Your Material: You'll soon find a set of favorite materials that you prefer to work with, and these will constitute your tool box. You can furnish this tool box from your favorite bead crafting stores-such stores are to be found both online and off, and maybe even in your locality.
We hope that gets you well started in the hobby-glass jewelry is such fun and so rewarding to make that you're sure to soon have a growing collection of material and finished jewelry.
