Welcome back to Fetch Fits! Putting charms on everything is all the rage right now, and everyone from luxury fashion houses to fast fashion giants are scrambling to get in on the trend. But before you buy that $10 keychain, have you considered making it yourself? Jewelry making is a great hobby: it gets you off your phone, lets you be creative, and makes you feel great whenever you can say “I made that!”
Let’s talk about materials. Crystal or elastic string is probably the most beginner-friendly and can be used for both bracelets and necklaces, but working with metal fixtures adds an extra edge. First, you’ll need pliers. There are several useful types, such as snipe nose pliers for general fixing, round nose pliers for looping, and cutters for, well, cutting. Crimpers and metal crimp beads can used to make more intricate designs using string. And if you’re looking to get serious about jewelry making, you might also consider investing in the one-step looper, which cuts and loops your pins at the same time.
Speaking of pins, there are two major types: eye pins and head pins. Eye pins have one wire end and one looped end and are one of the main ways to connect beads. Head pins look like little nails, with one flat end and one wire end. These can be used to turn beads into charms. Jump rings are little metal rings that can be used to attach charms, create layered designs, or can be used with a lobster clasp to serve as a closure mechanism on bracelets or necklaces. Another popular closure mechanism is bar and toggle clasp. Seen on the famous Tiffany and Co. heart necklace, bar and toggle clasps use a metal bar that goes through a circle to hold the necklace in place.
Now onto the fun part: beads and charms! There are plenty of different bead shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes to choose from. It can be easy to go crazy and buy every string of beads in sight, but you should consider making a list before you go bead shopping to avoid spending too much. Having beads in each rainbow color (including black, white, and pink) is a good place to start. After that, you can start to pick out the unique beads you want. If you can find a string with several different sizes or colors, even better. Decorative spacers can also help fill in gaps and add interest to your designs. There are charms for anything you can imagine, and with jump rings and pliers, you can attach them to whatever you want.
As for where you can get all this, some stores to look for are craft stores like Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann’s, and online retailers like Amazon or Etsy. Some Etsy users even offer “bead soup,” or random mystery bags of different beads. And of course, always shop sales. With all these supplies, the projects are endless. There are your standard bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, of course, but you can also make your own keychains, phone straps, or even metal bookmarks. You can also make having to display your ID more fun by making your own lanyards or clipping something cute to your carabiner.
Besides giving you cute accessories, working with beads and wire and also be a great way to let loose and be creative. “Jewelry making has been one of my favorite mediums since childhood. When I’m working with metal, I know exactly how it’ll turn out, and having something that you can wear when you’re finished really gives you a sense of accomplishment,” says Loukas Rishavy, a senior visual arts major and long-time jewelry maker.
Overall, jewelry making, while a little expensive at first, is a great skill and fun pastime that anyone can enjoy. Whether you prefer dainty glass beads or heavy chains, you can truly make anything your heart desires.
