by Angie Yomo

Created on: May 14, 2008

So you've decided to experience the freedom, satisfaction, and excitement that comes with making your own jewelry. For this you will need to acquire tools and materials as jewelry can hardly emerge from thin air, but where to start? As with many things, learning to be a savvy shopper of jewelry supplies requires diligence, research, and experience. All jewelry artists have made poor purchasing decisions at one time or another, but don't be discouraged. With a little help and direction, soon you'll be buying like the pros.

WHAT"S FOR SALE

There is an endless amount of jewelry supplies to be had, but what do you need? Here is a general list and some tips:

Tools: There is a tool for everything, but you don't need them all. Start with a flat nose plier, round nose plier, flush cutter, and tweezer. You can add more as you take on increasingly elaborate projects. Also, you don't need expensive German tools, start with Beadsmith pliers or tools made in Pakistan which provide decent quality for reasonable prices.

Workplace: Buy a sunlight lamp and a bead mat and you'll be well on your way. A bead board will help you arrange beads and storage cases will aid in organization.

Stringing: Typically sold by the spool, you can choose from elastic, silk, beading wire, thread, and more. I recommend buying high quality Soft Flex beading wire and avoiding Beadalon, which is stiff and brittle. Also, pay attention to the size/thickness of your materials, for example, 1mm elastic is much stronger than .5mm or .7mm and a 49-strand wire will be far sturdier than a 7-strand.

Metals: You will encounter plated base metals, copper, gunmetal, precious metals, and specialty items like Artistic Wire. Wire is available in varying hardness from soft to half-hard to hard and gauges from very fine 28 gauge to super thick 10 gauge and beyond. Be sure to buy the appropriate wire for your project. Also, keep oxidation in mind as copper can turn green, plated metals can turn black, and sterling silver does indeed tarnish.

Beads: The addiction of many a jewelry artist, beads come in every shape, color, and size imaginable. Typical materials include Czech glass, crystal, wood, bone, German glass, cubic zirconium, polymer clay, pearl, shell, semi-precious, and even plastic. Within categories you will find that beads vary in quality. Look for luster, uniformity, symmetry, clean holes, and vibrant colors when selecting beads. For example, for high quality acrylic beads and precision cut seed beads, Japanese

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