Jewelry Making - Help with Great Beading Ideas

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Meier]Jeffrey Meier

Do you love arts and crafts but have expended your talents with sewing and knitting projects? Why not try something new? Many people are finding that jewelry making can be very a creative and fulfilling hobby, with opportunities to even make money if so desired. Many people spend tons of money buying beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other "junk jewelry" without knowing they can do it on their own. If you are interested in getting started on your own beading projects, keep reading to get information on great jewelry making websites and how to find the beading supplies you need.

What is Beading?

Beading is one of the latest crazes in the art of jewelry making. Why you ask? Because it gives people the opportunity to make fun jewelry in a very quick and easy way. The art of beading can be represented in a variety of fashions, from simple designs to very intricate beaded necklaces, but in this article we will focus on the very simple idea of stringing a necklace or bracelet with beads, then knotting it to wear without having to purchase anything but the supplies, which will last you a long time.

I know you're probably thinking, "It's not easy to know where to get started without help." So I would advise that you don't do what I did, which was diving in headfirst. I started out by going to an expensive bead store, that was essentially very helpful, but initially tried sell me every expensive and unnecessary item they could. I had to gather my bearings and go home to do research. After I came back, I was able to ask the right questions, find the beads and supplies that I needed at my level of jewelry making expertise, which was novice, and then start from scratch. Take my advice, if you are just beginning, it is not necessary for you to go out and buy the most expensive beads and supplies, because in the beginning, you will probably be wasting a lot of your wire or cord just making mistakes (which is allowed). After you develop your skill and style then you can go back and buy the more quality items. You will save a lot of time and money this way. To help you out, I've provided a few websites for jewelry making and supplies that should make things easier for you.

Great Jewelry Making Websites

Beadiefriends.com has tons of instructions to help you get started on your beading journey. You can learn to square stitch, peyote stitch, create beaded chain necklaces (my favorite), and even a beaded watch. Also, they teach you how to make earrings, charm pins, stretch bracelets, bead embroidery and even how to sell your crafts to others. If you'd prefer not to make your own designs and patterns for beading, they not only give you sample patterns to work from, but they also teach you how to read those patterns to easily create the bead designs you desire.

Beadage.net is another beginner-friendly website filled with great information on the art of beading. This site gives great instructions on how to create your own beaded jewelry, and also provides great patterns as templates for your designs. You can learn to make earrings, wire jewelry, hemp jewelry, and much more. In addition, they provide a beading supply guide and gemstone guide that will help you do your research before venturing out to buy items that you don't need (like I did). Also, they have a beading glossary to help you sort out the definitions of the different beading terms, which is helpful because you need to know the difference between resin, turquoise and glass beads if you're going to get serious about beading. Also, they have a bead shop that sells the items that you need at a reasonable price and they also offer tools to get you started - this is a great one-stop-shop for a beginner just getting started.

Where to Find Beading Supplies

A top website to find what you're looking for in beading supplies is firemountaingems.com. This site caters to every aspect of beading and provides all of the beading supplies you'll need for your jewelry making experience. They offer various varieties beads, including glass, metal, acrylic, shell, crystal, turquoise and wood beads. In addition, they have tons of supplies, including chains, clasps, faceted gems, earring findings, charms, and pendants. And if you need tools you'll find everything from loop-closing and gem-setting pliers, to charts, design software, sort trays, adhesives, cord knotters, needles and cleaners. They even offer books and videos on the art of beading - so they pretty much make everything available to you.

Also, one of the best places to find wholesale beads in large quantities for your jewelry making is on EBay. I know EBay can be a difficult place to trust because you don't know who you're buying your items from. But really, it's not much different than buying from any other website. You have to do your research on the seller and check their reviews, which are luckily right on the page. If they have a user rating of 99% and 10,000 people have reviewed them, then you're probably be dealing with the right seller. And since you have the ability to bid on the beads, you might find a great deal. Often times, people sell large amounts of beads in lots, which means you might find individual beads or beads still on the necklaces, which will allow you to de-string and re-string them on your own beading cord or wire.

Whether you're just getting started on your first jewelry making projects, or are looking for information on how to further along an already-started hobby, it doesn't hurt to learn from the great information that is out there for you. I hope that I've been able to help you get started and the next time we meet, maybe I'll be at a store picking out your latest designs and smiling at how your jewelry making hobby flourished into a career.

Jeffrey Meier of Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.Jam727.com offers information articles on a wide variety of subjects including Jewlery Making at http://www.jam727.com/jewelrymaking/jewelry_making_information.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Meier http://EzineArticles.com/?Jewelry-Making---Help-with-Great-Beading-Ideas&id=848107

Related News:

Crafters share their inspirations on Web
We arts-and-crafts junkies need a networking site, a place where we can share our most intimate knitting and crocheting secrets. And if we can get organized while we're at it, even better. Ravelry.com is a one-stop source where knitters, crocheters, designers, spinners and dyers can find pattern information, keep track of their yarn and tools and get inspired.

Accessories are economical way to add a breath of spring
Think oversized sunglasses, leather bags, layered jewelry, hats, belts and scarves when the spring fever shopping urge hits. These items are simple to find and economical, and they go the distance whether you want to infuse color or transition from day to night.

Related Articles:

Artisan-Driven Web Store Launches New Blog
Independent e-commerce website, ArtistJewelBox.com, features unique jewelry designs by three very talented artisans: Diane (Velia D.) Goldman, Barbara (Eells Mountain Designs) Eells and Beth (Wired Bead Works) Martinez. Recently, the site added a blog as a brand new feature and has some other things in store for those who appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into handmade jewelry.

Stop Spending Hundreds on Unique Handmade Jewelry
Collecting unique jewelry such as handmade glass necklace or beaded bracelet is becoming very popular nowadays. Unique jewelry reflects your character and individual tastes. That is why many people are getting hooked on buying expensive unique handmade jewelries from novelty shops and stores.

Astral Beads Announces 7 Day Inventory Blowout Sale - Up to 75 Percent Discount on Beads and Beading Supplies
Save on beads, clasps and thousands of items including silver wire bead jewelry (http://www.astralbeads.com/about_us.cgis) 6mm and 20mm round plastic beads and 5mm seed beads.

East European Jewelry Designer Silvia Nikolov Introduces Her Mystic Mediterranean Style Unique Handcrafted Jewelry Collection
Beauty, mystery and distinctiveness are the words that describe best this unique handcrafted jewelry collection that can be found at www.sivani-beaded-jewelry.com. Coming from Bulgaria, a picturesque small country that has existed for more than 13 centuries in Europe, Silvia Nikolov incorporates the rich traditions and magnificent history of her country in her jewelry designs. The result is a collection of timeless jewelry that makes a bold fashion statement and complements every style.

The Down The Street Bead Show Coming to Huntsville, Alabama July 14-16
That's the big question, is Huntsville Alabama ready and in support of The Down The Street Bead Show coming to that city on July 14th, 15th, and 16th? After all, two bead shows have come and gone from Birmingham Alabama while a bead craze has been sweeping the nation the last few years. The bead and jewelry design business continues to grow by 10 percent a year and has turned into one of the hottest small businesses to go into over the last few years.

Beading Designs
Beads have become part of our lives, and these are used in various things such as the jewelry that we wear, or on other decorative things in our homes such as table mats, bed covers etc The greatest part of using beads, is that you can get creative and create your own beading designs and decorate different things that you use

Making a beaded necklace or bracelet for Beginners
I make all my beaded jewelry by hand, on my website I give many genuine gemstone beads to choose from so people can customize their necklaces (also bracelets & earrings). Whatever beads you might use the technique is the same, I personally use only sterling silver parts & genuine beads such as black onyx, turquoise, red coral, aventurine, amazonite (very popular), rhondonite, mother-of-pearls, freshwater pearls, etc...

Wholesale Beads: Whatýs Available Online
If you are a jewelry maker and want to buy wholesale beads online then you have a great opportunity to get materials that were once only available in specialized stores in big cities In addition, you donýt have to travel around the world to locate exotic sources of beads; everything you need is right online and you can buy your beads at wholesale prices

What is Illusion Jewelry?
There are many reasons why a woman would want to choose illusion jewelry over other forms of jewelry. Take for instance the illusion necklace that helps a woman look more beautiful and which is also simple to make - requiring no knots or glue or even crimps to hold beads in their proper place. You can also make your own illusion necklaces using pearls or even accent beads that will make for a heavier piece of illusion jewelry.

Handmade Jewelry, Sterling Silver & Beaded Jewelry - Unveiling New Designs to Benefit Breast Cancer Research
For women who like to wear unique and interesting jewelry, a website that meets your needs and benefits breast cancer research. The beaded jewelry is designed with a variety of gemstones, lampwork glass, pearls, Swarovski crystals, & Czech glass beads, and handmade jewelry is crafted with sterling silver & gold filled chains & links. Silver Moon Trading Company offers a wide range of styles from Michelle Obama style chunky gemstone & pearl necklaces to vintage style one-of-kind jewelry.

Pandora OneWorld Health Charm Available at LewisJewelers.com
Pandora Jewelry's Newest Philanthropic Effort Involves OneWorld Health Bead

Between the Cleavage Jewelry Featured at GALLERY 2611
Between the Cleavage, a vibrant, handmade jewelry collection, is now available at Gallery 2611, a local art gallery in Redwood City, Ca. The collection features beaded jewelry with semi-precious stones, pearls, lampwork beads and crystals retailing for $100 - $360.

Unique Jewelry Items of Keshi Pearls
Keshi pearls are usually sold per strand that contains many beads. The sellers normally drill a hole across the middle of each bead so that it can be strung into pieces of pearl jewelry. However, since they are usually small and irregular in shape, keshi pearls are not meant to be made into stud jewelry.

Leading Online Source for Jewelry Making and Wholesale Beads Celebrates 4 Successful Years of Business
Gemmall.com, the leading online source for wholesale beads and supplies for jewelry making, is celebrating its 4th successful year in business.

Vintage Jewelry Purveyor Earthly Adornments Adds New Collection
Antique and vintage jewelry e-tailer, Earthly Adornments, has announced the addition of a unique and fabulous collection of jewelry to their distinctive inventory. Joining their eclectic and elegant vintage jewelry (http://www.earthlyadornments.com/default.aspx) catalog will be an outstanding bead, silver and jewelry collection from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.