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SUPPLIES AND TOOLS

You need few supplies to make beautiful jewelry but you need to get the right one. There are some basic tools ( the pliers) you need to have always with you for your beading, stringing, knotting, or wire making projects. You should also know that each particular technique requires specific material. For example the beading (bead weaving) technique requires specific needles and thread, you can string (stringing technique) beads on different types of thread and so on.

Basic Tools : The Pliers


the pliers are basic tools for jewelry making


Chain Nose Plier and Round Nose Nose Plier

The flat nose plier is on the right side of the picture, the round nose plier on the left side.

  • Chain Nose Plier or Flat Nose Plier ( similar to chain nose plier)

    You will use this tool for :

    Round Nose Plier

    You will use this tool for :

    A good quality Flush cutter is important to get a nice flush cut.
    You should keep one just for your wire-working projects.

    Scissors or thread clipper

    Glue
    I like to use jeweler's crystal cement or clear nail polish.


    Beading Supplies


    this picture shows the basic supplies for beading


    You can attach some "beading elements " like fringes or beaded bead to your jewelry. It's colorful, fun and can add an elegant or fancy touch to your handcrafted pieces.

    Nylon beading thread, "nymo"

    • Sizes go from " 00 " (the smallest, extra fine) to " D" ( the heaviest).
    • regular sizes used by beaders are "B" and "D."

    • Needles
    • Sizes used for beading are 12 and 13 (perfect with "B" or "D" nylon thread). You may have to use size 15 (and nylon "0") for very, very thin beads like (1mm) gemstone beads. You can easily buy assorted sizes . (size 10 to 15)


    Some beaders use invisible or transparent cord for beading projects. I use thin monofilament cord specifically for making beaded bead using the right angle wave technique


    supplies for beading: transparent cord





    Types of Threads




    serpentine cord is fun to work with tigertail or softflex are basic supplies for bead stringing


    Silk, cotton, nylon,chain,wire ( steel with nylon coating)...beautiful supplies for charming jewelry making.
    You can design charming jewelry using easy knotting or stringing techniques .The choice of material is immense. Here are some examples:

    • 3 different Silk color threads have been used here.This silk is sold pre-carded with a needle strung. It comes in different sizes (OO the smallest to FFF) and colors.
    • Serpentine is a nice material to play with. It is like a flat herringbone chain, metal plated in the picture and the finishes can be silver, black, "antique" cooper, "antique" brass...I find it a bit delicate to use but I still love it !
    • Stainless steel nylon coated wire, a basic material for stringing beads. There are few brands of nylon coated wire. Again, it comes in different sizes (.010" the smallest to.26") and colors (even in gold plated).

    For Charming Jewelry Making always have in mind :

    • The size and the weight of the beads you will use .
    • The total weight of your jewelry (more or less).
    • The thread you will use (and its size). Adjust your thread's size with your bead's sizes (for example, some beads like gemstones beads can be heavy, so you will need to pick up the right thread).
    • Each thread requires a specific finishes. Click here see the how to finish a jewelry.

    Enjoy !


    Jewelry Making Ideas

    Handmade Necklaces

    Handmade Bracelets

    Handade Earrings


    Return from Supplies to Charming Jewelry making


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