Jewelry Lovers

Many people jump into the process of making jewelry and take shortcuts that only hurt them in the long run. Maybe they buy tools and supplies that don’t give them the results they’re looking for. Or they don’t treat their new tools right. Or perhaps they’re worried that their great new “original” design will make them a million dollars, so they spend all their time copyrighting it instead of selling it.

For Quality jewelry, Use Quality Supplies

When practicing a technique, it’s fine to use the cheap stuff. But when you’re ready to create a quality piece, use quality supplies.

Read the Directions

Don’t just look at pictures when following project instruction and assume you know what to do. (You know what they say happens when you “assume.”) When you’re starting out, read the directions completely before you pick up your pliers or wire cutters, and you will save yourself time, frustration, and money.

Use High-End Tools

Using cheap tools often makes it tougher than necessary to master a technique. Typically, your results aren’t as good as they could be if you had tools made for jewelry making. Cheaper tools are okay to start out with, especially if you’re not sure that making jewelry is for you. But when you start making jewelry on a regular basis, invest in quality tools used just for jewelry making.

Never Cut Memory Wire with Your Good Wire Cutters

There’s no better way to dull good wire cutters than to cut memory wire with them. Use heavy-duty cutters reserved just for this purpose or invest in memory wire shears. You can get them at just about any jewelry supply retailer or wholesaler.

Use Crimping Pliers or Crimps

But crimp pliers give your piece such a professional, finished look (with practice, of course); they’re definitely worth the investment. If you want to sell your finished pieces, don’t just flatten crimps with flat-nose pliers, crimp them the right way.

Recognize That There’s Ala Right Way to Do Any Technique

Be open to new and different ways of doing things. Just because one person (including me) shows you how to do something doesn’t mean someone else may not have a different way of doing it. Experiment and find what works for you.

Practice Makes Perfect

Whether you’re crimping a bead, making a wrapped loop, or connecting an earwire to a headpin, don’t expect to get it right the first or even second time. Buy some inexpensive supplies and perfect your techniques before you invest in high quality products.

Share Your Knowledge

Join jewelry-making forums, chat groups, or users groups and share information. Don’t be stingy if someone asks for instructions to a project you post or wants details on where you found those awesome seed beads. The more you share with others, the more it will come back to you, because others will be willing to share with you.

Don’t Worry Too Much About Copyrighting Your Exclusive Designs

In fashion as well as jewelry, it’s pretty much all been done before, no matter how imaginative you think you are. That’s not to say that your design isn’t terrific, wonderful, and guaranteed to be a great seller. If you do come up with something really special, feel free to contact an attorney to investigate getting a copyright, but I don’t recommend that you spend too much energy or cash in the process.

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