Custom Jewelry 101 | A Beginner’s Guide to DIY Jewelry Making - Laura Jade Prado (2024)

In this post I’ll be sharing some helpful tips, techniques, and a list of tools + materials to kickstart your jewelry making hobby or business.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

If you’ve ever been intrigued by making your own jewelry but thought “It’s too difficult and I just don’t know where to start” today’s post will (hopefully!) change your mind.

Back in the day, I had a handmade jewelry line that I LOVED dearly. It was my first go at owning a small business and I learned so much about tools, materials, pricing strategies, and basic entrepreneurship skills along the way.

Although my jewelry line is no longer in “active production” per se, I still hold jewelry making close to heart. It’s become more of a hobby, and I often reach for my tools and tinker in my stash of beads, wire, and chain whenever I feel the urge to spice up my jewelry collection. When it comes to fashion accessory trends (be it a new season, style, or material) I often find myself asking: is this something I should BUY or DIY?

With all that said, in today’s post, I’ll be sharing some basic tools and materials that I recommend if you’re just dipping your toes in the jewelry making waters, along with a few simple crafting techniques and links to some of my favorite supply sources.

Whether you’re looking to create pieces for your own personal collection or start a business, this beginner’s guide will walk you through you the basics of custom jewelry making.

You’ll be surprised that with the right tools and a little practice, it’s actually not as difficult as you’d think. Let’s dive in!

Jewelry Making 101

ESSENTIAL TOOLS

Like with most hobbies, there are some tools you may need in your “belt” to help bring your designs and ideas to life. The good news is that my list of tools for BASIC jewelry making is relatively short, and everything can be easily found at a local craft store, online jewelry suppliers, or (of course) Amazon.

Must-Have Tools:

• needle nose pliers
• round nose pliers
• bent nose pliers
• crimp bead pliers
• wire cutters
• super glue
• ruler
• or go for one of these jewelry making tool KITS. This one includes most of these tools and more!

Extra Tools (not essentials but nice to have!):

• necklace and bracelet design boards (highly recommend for beading, helps map out your design, and includes useful features like rulers and curved edges for bracelets, etc. The flocked texture helps beads stay in place)
• bead organizer bins (goes without saying, this saves time and space – I also use this set of drawers to further organize my stash)
• mini zip bags (great for organizing beads or findings that you want to label)
• curved tweezers (help pick up small items like seed beads and findings)
• bead reamer (used to make wider holes in beads)
• measuring tape + small precision scissors (helpful all around but specifically for measuring chains and cutting loose ends of small knots)
• binder clips (hold beads in place on wire or cord)
• lighter (seal edges of nylon or synthetic cord)

Aside from tools, there are also a few extra bits and bobs – often referred to in the jewelry space as “findings” – that you’ll need to keep on hand in order to finish items like necklaces, bracelets, or connect pieces of chain together, etc.

Findings:

• clasps (a fastener used to connect the two ends of necklaces and bracelets. There are many different kinds: lobster, round, magnetic, toggle, spring ring, etc.)
• jump rings (come in various sizes and are used to attach elements together)
• headpins (used to turn beads into pendants)
• eyepins (used to create dangles or decorative pieces that can also be used as connectors)
• crimp beads/tubes (used to secure the ends of materials that cannot be knotted, like beading wire)
• earring hooks and ear nuts (components used to create earrings)
• knot covers (a more decorative way to cover knots on the ends of bracelets or necklaces)
• chain extenders (can be added to the end of necklaces or bracelets to extend them in length)

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MATERIALS

This is where your creativity really shines through. Think about the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. For a more bohemian look, consider using natural materials like wood beads, cotton twine, or suede cording. If you’re aiming for a more refined elegant style, you may want to opt for natural gemstones or classic pearls and gold (or gold plated) metal findings.

Another thing to consider with jewelry making is budget. These little beads, chains, and trinkets can add up to be quite expensive, especially as you venture into more unique one-of-a-kind findings, like handmade charms, or precious metals, like 14k gold. As your skills progress, you may want to spend a bit more on materials for extra durability and longevity of your pieces. But if you’re just starting out, I suggest investing more of your time than money. Purchase materials that fit your budget, knowing there may be a few “oopsies” or failed attempts along the way as you practice your jewelry making techniques.

Here are some of my favorite materials to work with:

• Beads (endless styles and materials like plastic, glass, ceramic, clay. Different shapes and aesthetics. Can be simple or really extravagant – all types of aesthetics available. Easy to find!)
• Pearls (lots of beautiful faux options)
• Jewelry wire (different gauges, bends and is used for sculpting or wire wrapping)
• Beading wire (different gauges, holds its shape and used for stringing beads)
• Chain (endless options: sizes, link shapes, materials, chunky plastic/colors)
• Clear stretch cording – this one is my all-time favorite! (best for beaded stretch bracelets)
• Leather or suede cord (endless colors, often used for pendant necklaces or wrapped bracelets)
• Embroidery thread (endless colors, often used for friendship bracelets or tassels, easy to find in all colors)
• Wax cord (best for leatherwork and bracelets. Is also waterproof and super durable.)

BASIC TECHNIQUES + PIECES TO START WITH

SIMPLE BEADED BRACELET | You’ll need: assorted beads, stretch cord, super glue.

1. Start by measuring your wrist and cut a length of stretch cord that’s 5-6 inches longer than your wrist measurement.
2. Pre-stretch the cord a bit by folding it in half and tugging gently.
3. Secure one end of the cord with a binder clip or folded piece of tape. This will act as a stopper for the beads.
4. Arrange your beads in whatever pattern or design of your liking. Lay them out on a jewelry mat, tray, or bead board if you have one.
5. Start stringing your beads onto the cord. Checking periodically against your wrist to see if you have enough length beaded. Make sure it’s not too tight or too loose. The beads should stretch easily over your hand while remaining nice and snug on your wrist.
6. Once finished, tie a double knot and pull tightly on the loose ends. Secure with a drop of super glue and cut the tail ends of the knot when glue is dry. TIP: to hide the knot, use a bead with a larger hole near the knot and slip the knot inside the bead after applying a dot of glue. Alternatively, you can hide the knot with a decorative bead cover by clamping it over the knot with a pair of pliers.

SIMPLE BEADED NECKLACE | You’ll need: assorted beads, beading wire, 2 crimp beads, 2 jump rings, 1 clasp

1. Start by deciding on the length of your necklace and cut a piece of beading wire that’s 3-4 inches longer than your desired necklace length.
2. Loop one end of the beading wire through a closed jump ring and use a crimp bead (and crimping pliers) to secure in place.
3. Arrange your beads in whatever pattern or design of your liking. Lay them out on a jewelry mat, tray, or bead board if you have one.
4. Start stringing your beads onto the beading wire.
5. Once finished, take the loose end of beading wire and secure another jump ring to the end with a crimp bead.
6. Complete the necklace by adding a clasp on one jump ring. The other jump ring will be used to secure the clasp.

CHAIN PENDANT NECKLACE | You’ll need: chain, 3 jump rings, 1 clasp, pendant of choice

1. Start by deciding on the length of your necklace and cut a piece of chain 1/2 inch shorter than your desired necklace length (this accounts for the length of the clasp)
2. Attach a jump ring to either side of the chain. Attach a clasp to one jump ring.
3. To attach a pendant, simply use a third jump ring to thread it directly onto a chain link if it’s wide enough, or simply hook it onto the chain itself, moving freely along the chain.

SOME ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES TO TRY:

• Wire Wrapping: Often used to combine beads or elements together, create a loop around pendants, crystals, or items that are not drilled. Can also be used to create rings and add beads to bangles or cuff bracelets.

• Tassel Making: Created with embroidery thread and at a smaller scale, tassels are often used to embellish pieces like necklaces and bracelets. Also often used in handbags and other fashion accessories.

EXTRA JEWELRY MAKING TIPS + TRICKS

• When beading, make sure the material you are using to string the beads together will fit inside the bead holes. This may sound like common sense but I’ve definitely overlooked this several times and purchased the wrong size cording for a specific project. This is when a bead reamer could be helpful but, depending on the material of the beads, it’s not a guaranteed fix. Always measure the smallest bead holes if you’re using different types and sizes of beads in one design.

• Learn your basic knots. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending your priceless time and effort on a beaded piece, only to have it fall apart instantly due to a loose knot. I suggest taking a few minutes to watch some YouTube videos on basic knots used for different types of jewelry pieces before getting started. I’ve been doing this for years, and still need a quick refresher now and then.

• Get creative with statement clasps and closures. Consider the use of large clasps on necklaces and bracelets for both form and function. Who knew the world of closures was so expansive? From oversized lobster clasps to carabiners and everything in between. I love the idea of using a more unconventional item as the statement on the front of a piece. They also serve as the perfect stage to add larger pendants that can be mixed and matched or switched out. I love a good customizable moment!

• Plan or map out your design first. This is best done on a board, but it may also be helpful to sketch your ideas on paper first. This gives you a clear view of the exact amount of beads or length of chain, and extra findings you need so you can prep everything on your workspace and avoid scrambling to find a clasp at the last minute.

• Use binder clips while beading. I like using these specifically because they aren’t too strong where they’ll damage your cord or wire materials, but will clamp well and hold your design in place as you work.

• Upcycle existing pieces. Nine times out of ten, I’m wearing something that has been somewhat reworked. Whether it’s a necklace I never reached for and have dismantled for parts or maybe an old bracelet that has a broken link but can be salvaged in other ways, I like to be savvy with pieces and some of my favorite designs feature recycled elements from discarded or neglected items.

• When in doubt, layer it out. In my opinion, sometimes more is more when it comes to jewelry. Play with your style boundaries by mixing styles and aesthetics. Pair bright colored beaded necklace with a dainty chain and throw in a large statement clasp or pendant for balance. This is my favorite way to style jewelry – especially in the spring and summer months.

• Lastly… be patient, experiment, relax, and have fun. At the end of the day, you’re just making pretty little trinkets that jingle and dangle! It’s not that serious.

SOURCING LINKS

I tend to hop around and source my jewelry making materials from different places. It’s rare that I create a piece from start to finish using materials and findings from one singular shop. It’s more fun this way and feels like a treasure hunt for special items. I like to pick up small charms or pretty chains as I find them on random trips to the craft store or as I’m casually browsing on Etsy, adding to my collection over time. So oftentimes, when the inspiration strikes to create a new piece, I “shop my stash” for materials to come up with a new design.

If you’re just getting started with creating your “stash” here are some of my favorite small businesses to shop for jewelry materials and findings:

• The Trim Buyer: For brightly colored beads and heishi discs
• Mr. Rui: For chain and specialty findings
• Charm Supply: For specialty and unique charms
• Nanas Pretty Girls: For beads, beads, and more beads of all kinds!
• Princess Bead Supply: For faux pearls beads
• Your DIY Supply: For stunning gemstone beads

Jewelry making is a super fulfilling craft and creative outlet, and whether it’s a hobby or for a business, I hope this inspired you to start DIY-ing some of your own custom pieces! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of wearing something you’ve designed and created yourself!

Keep your eyes peeled for future posts where I go into more detail about some of the techniques mentioned above. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or requests for specific tutorials, and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for extra video content!

In the meantime, stalk my Pinterest board for more jewelry inspiration – I add tons of new content daily!

Looking for a fun DIY project instead? Check out this post where I made “cell phone jewelry” – aka beaded phone charm straps.

Xx Laura

Ps- Follow along on Instagram for more content related to this post.

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