Howto Make Handmade Earrings?

You would like to make handmade earrings and you don't know how to begin. Where to start?

First of all, beads:
There are myriads of varieties which can be made from everything, wood, glass, stones, modeling clay or ordinary clay. One of the most important things you have to pay attention to, apart from a material or color, is the size of a bead or a diameter. Online shops usually offer photos in magnification so it is extremely important to check the measurements of certain products. The thing is that small beads can't be threaded on a thong whereas those large in diameter won't look good on a thin wire.

Secondly, the tools:
Depending on the techniques which you choose you may need various tools, which you can't find at home. They are easily accessible in every haberdashery. You can work almost everywhere, even outdoors because all tools can be stored in a shoe box. If you want to make simple jewelry you should have a set of tools:
- a pair of pliers
- sharp scissors
- a good needle, strong thread or jewelry wire
- glue
- small boxes
- tray
- centimeter

With time and experience you may need additional tools such as: tongs for cutting wires, round and flat pliers. Round pliers can be used for creating most of the products with earwires or links. However, if you want to create shapes from small beads you will need: a tambour, a loom and loads of small colorful beads.

Thirdly, threading:
You will need a thread, jewelry wire, leather thong, a wire, gums and a nylon fishing line. Most of the materials can be threaded without any special tools. The exception is with very thin threads or lines for which a needle could be useful. If you make necklaces or bracelets you can use a method of soaking the end of the the thread in glue, which would make threading easier.

Then, the finishing touches:
If you want to finish the work you will need several components such as end caps or earwires. All fastenings of necklaces differ in style and quality, the most popular include: snap-hooks, federing or twisted fastening. You can use clips, clasps or end caps. Various types of silver components can be found e.g. open earwires, French earwires, posts or ear clips.

Next, all the gadgets:
Plenty of components don't belong to any of the groups, these include: hat pins, brooch parts, hair pins, circles for key rings or various pendants attached to different products.

Moreover, techniques:
You can use many techniques for creating jewelry with beads. You can start with threading them on strings of gum, then you can thread beads onto various materials. More complicated creations can be done in the future.

Lastly, storing
Ready made products can be stored in paper bags or boxes as well as in small jars or glass bottles. Plastic boxes created especially for storing jewelry are the best idea because they have room both for jewelry items as well as tools you use.