So I'm interested in learning to make bead jewelry

[Sweet Freedom]

but am a bit overwhelmed where to begin.

Can those of you with experience post your favorite beginner projects? I bought Bead and Button magazine, which has a nice beginners section, but I'm still a little lost.

I was thinking a bracelet may be a good place to start, but I'm not sure of the difficulty level of some of the projects in the magazine. For those of you who have a copy (April 2007) I like the daisy chain project on page 108, but think that requires some experience.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks :hi:

[lies and propaganda]

1. There is a book called " The Basics of Bead Stringing"

its by Debbie Kanan..

When i first started beading I was reccomended this small, paper book taht was referred to as 'The Bible' for beginning beaders.
It worked out for me really well, very easy to understand and just about any type of project you might want to do.

I have some more links i will fish around for ya.

And I would honestly say that I think earrings are the easiest to learn with. You get a familiarity with your tools and some of the major important findings (metal parts) in jewelry making.

[Sweet Freedom]

3. Thank you!

That sounds helpful. There are so many books, it's good to get a recommendation. I will check it out.

[AllegroRondo]

2. Check your local library

for beading and jewelry books.

I started with simple bracelets, just one strand of beads and some clips on either end. Its an easy way to learn how to string and what kinds of beads look good together.

But dont be afraid to jump right in and try the patterns you see in the magazines. Most of them do a nice job of showing you step by step what your project should look like, so you can follow along pretty well.
And if you mess up really bad, just cut the string and start over. You havent wasted any beads, just some time.

[Sweet Freedom]

4. Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a shot. /nt

[eridani]

5. I agree that earrings and bracelets are good starters

For easy bracelets, I like PowerCord a lot. All you have to do is string beads and knot. You get a stretchy bracelet that fits over your hand without a lot of fiddling with clasps with your non-dominant hand. It comes in different colors, and for bracelets I'd recommend 1, 1.5 or 2 mm.

[eridani]

6. If you want to get into wire work--

Brass and stainless steel wire in the appropriate gauges (24, 22, 20, 18 and 16, thinnest to thickest) are really cheap at hardware stores. It will pay to practice with it before going to the more expensive colored craft wire or gold and silver.

[Sweet Freedom]

7. Thank you! This is all very helpful /nt

[yorkiemommie1]

8. memory wire bracelets

are beyond easy.

i've gotten lots of compliments on mine.

i also got some finished sterling chain bracelets and attached swarovski dangles to them and made dangles to match for earrings ( got silver earrings that allow me to interchange the dangles. )


I'm still a rookie but having fun!

[eleny]

9. Are there any bead shops near you?

I once took a class at a local bead shop. There were about 6 students and it lasted a few hours. We made earrings and a bracelet. I got a feel for the techniques with that one class and it wasn't pricey. I got to pick just what beads I wanted. So there was no large investment in a lot of beads.

[Sweet Freedom]

10. Y'know I don't think there are.

There's one near where I work (but that's 25 miles away.) I'll have to look in the phone book or online and see.

[Left Brain]

11. Depending on what you want to do,

about.com has some free beginner patterns:
http://beadwork.about.com/od/beginnerpatterns/Free_Bead_Patterns_Perfect_for_Beginners.htm

[Morgana LaFey]

12. It really makes a difference what appeals to you -- for example,

someone mentioned wire work. I personally actively dislike a lot of wire work, tho really appreciate others. I don't like the wire wrapping (of cabochons, etc.).

Do you like the tiny seed beads and that kind of loomed or woven beadwork that is typical of Native American beadwork? If so, then that's where you should concentrate.

Or do you just like nice glass and maybe semi-precious stone jewelry, single or double or triple strand necklaces with matching earrings? Those are, IMO, among the easiest and simplest to do. All you need are a few good tools (knot cutter or wire cutter, flat nose pliers, round nose pliers are the basics and the ones I use over and over, tho there are others you can "invest" in as well, if you want).

You'll probably want a bead board -- a flocked board on which you can lay out your necklace or bracelet designs and the beads won't roll away while you play with getting the design right. They're under $10 and eventually you'll want several, probably. Even WalMart has them, as does Michael's.

The one thing I love about jewelry as a craft is that you need so few tools (see above), and the skills for basic jewelry making (regular bead necklaces and bracelets and earrings) are so simple: how to make eye pins or round loops at the end of a piece of wire so you can add beads and attach them to things like French ear wires (my personal preference for earring findings).

Be sure to look at any of the Getting Started books -- I think they're just terrific. And there's another book I love with some very good instruction in it called "Charmed."

And all you need for glass and/or semi-precious stone jewelry is some stringing wire (Beadalon or AccuFlex), crimp beads, clasp of some kind and earring findings, a bhttp://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=390&topic_id=1510&mesg_id=1510it of wire for the earrings, maybe some jump or split rings for findings, the tools (see above) and your beads.

Get thee to a bead store!

But please, please, please, don't continue to think you need a lot of instruction or help or classes or even books (unless you want to get heavily into the woven seed beadwork, possibly). Personally, I think all the magazines stink and have stopped subscribing. All you really need to know are the basic techniques for your preferred style of jewelry. If you never learned anything more than how to string and finish a glass/semi-precious necklace, bracelet and earrings, you would NEVER run out of things to make (as long as your imagination held up for you, that is).

Most of all: Have fun! If you want to see some of our jewelry of our handmade glass lampwork beads take a look at my Etsy shop (check your PMs and if anyone else wants the link, PM me).