What to Buy

Beginning bead jewelry makers need items such as wire and beads, as well as clasps and crimpers in order to get started.  At wholesale bead jewelry making supply stores, these items can be bought in jewelry making kits that contain everything needed to make that special bracelet, necklace or brooch.  Although kits are a great place to start, they do not give beginners much choice in the matter, so some might feel that their creativity is stifled with a kit.

As such, wholesale bead jewelry making supply stores also sell all of the items that are in the kit separately, so that jewelry makers have more of a choice.  Beginners usually want to start with a simple wire that can be used to string beads in necklaces or bracelets.  Since the wire is not seen except by the clasp, it is not important that the wire be made of a nicer metal such as silver or gold.  Beginners will also need to buy clasps for the ends of the wire in order to hold the beads in place as well as fasten the necklace or bracelet in place.

In order to attach the clasps to the wire, a wire crimper is needed.  Beginners have to learn how to work with this crimping tool, as it is not familiar and can be tricky to get the hang of, especially when trying to attach a clasp without allowing anything to happen to the beads.  Tweezers are another vital tool for jewelry makers that can be found at wholesale bead jewelry making stores.

Finally, the most fun supply that can be found at the wholesale bead jewelry making store is the beads!  There are so many different styles, shapes, sizes and colors that the jewelry maker can feel like a child in a candy shop.  Beads are what cause each creation to be unique and special, and so the choice of beads is essential to jewelry making.

The Benefits

Wholesale jewelry making supply centers often have catalogs to make it easier to order the supplies.  The stores are usually warehouses that are not always located in the city where the jewelry maker resides.  Fortunately, most of these wholesale jewelry making supply center catalogs are free, so jewelry makers can get them from several different companies at a time to compare costs and variations of different products.  Many of these companies will also offer sales where the shipping cost is free, making the deals even better for the jewelry maker who happens to find them.

Wholesale jewelry making supply centers are a better choice for most products that a jewelry maker needs that going down to the local arts and crafts store or specialty jewelry supply store.  Unless the jewelry maker is just starting out and only wants to buy a small kit, not sure if she will want to continue the hobby beyond the test run, arts and crafts stores and specialty jewelry supply stores are significantly more expensive on almost all supplies.  The reason for this is that the wholesale jewelry making supply store sells most of the items in bulk, which means that although the price is higher up front, the price per item bought is significantly less than buying in a smaller store.

In addition, the selection of items in a wholesale jewelry making supply centers is much greater than a smaller store, allowing the jewelry maker to have greater creativity.  In addition, the catalogs often display jewelry ideas of what to build with their products, so they are a great resource for creativity for the jewelry maker as well.

Beyond just beads, wire, and other essential items, there are also jewelry making tools that can be found at wholesale jewelry making supply centers around the country.  Crimpers are always in demand by jewelry makers, as well as tweezers and soldering irons.  There are other tools for specialty pieces, such as metal punches, which create unique designs in the metal.

Making Jewelry for Less

Jewelry makers who sell their wares in boutiques and other shops frequent wholesale jewelry making tool and supply stores very regularly.  Since the items in those stores are mostly bought in bulk, the price per item is much less than buying them in lesser numbers, so although the price is higher to begin with, it saves the jewelry maker money and he is able to make more per piece that he sells.

Beads are some of the more expensive items that can be found at a wholesale jewelry making tool and supply store. Beads are used very quickly, since especially small ones go quickly as more are needed to fill a necklace or bracelet.  In addition, beads are often used as ends to different types of jewelry, so keeping a supply on hand or various shapes and sizes is important to the jeweler being able to fully creates his masterpieces.

Wire is also an item that jewelry makers need a lot of and go through very quickly.  There are different types of wires that are needed depending on the project.  If a necklace or bracelet uses a wire as the backbone to string the beads upon, then the wire does not need to be anything fancy.  If however, the wire is being used to wrap a pendant which is a beautiful glass glob, then the wire needs to be thicker and probably of a precious metal such as silver because it is part of the artistry of the pendant.

The tools that are commonly found at a wholesale jewelry making tool and supply store are different types of crimpers, tweezers and soldering irons.  Crimpers are used to finish off different types of jewelry, such as putting the clasps on the ends of a necklace or bracelet.  They are also used in bending the wire when needed, such as in wrapping.  Soldering irons come in different sizes, since they are used to melt the metal and weld pieces together.  There are also bead looms, which allow the jeweler to create very intricate patterns of beads.

Types of Supplies

There are different types of tools that can be found at a costume jewelry making wholesaler that are vital to the business.  Different types of crimpers can be found, which is a tool that is used almost constantly during the jewelry making process to finish off pieces as well as bending wire for different patterns.  Bead looms can also be found that allow the beader to create intricate patterns for the various bracelets and necklaces that they create.  These looms are especially useful when making Native American style costume jewelry, since there are always complicated patterns and designs in that type of jewelry.

Other tools include a soldering iron, which is used mostly in wire wrapping types of projects and ring making.  This iron gets extremely hot, allowing the user to melt the metal and weld small pieces together.  Another tool is the metal punch, which enables the user to punch different patterns into the metal.  Both of these tools can be found at a costume jewelry making wholesale store.

Besides tools, the most exciting supplies in the costume jewelry making wholesale store are the beads.  There are such varieties of shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and other criteria that it is a beader’s dream come true.  In addition, there are beads that are made to imitate precious stones, which allow the jewelry maker to create costume jewelry that has a classic feel to it.

Wire is another basic supply that is found at a costume jewelry making wholesaler.  Wire is always needed as the basic stringing material for beading.  It is also used to wrap different pendants and rings, so that they come out with different patterns and colors of wire.  For jewelers who only work in gold or silver, wire can be found in those ores as well.

Beginner to Professional

A beginning jewelry maker does not need to buy in bulk since she is just beginning to learn the craft and does not yet know if it will be a passing fad or a lifetime profession.  Beginning jewelry makers should probably begin with kits that can sometimes be found at wholesale jewelry making supply stores, although they are more likely to be found at the local arts and crafts store.  Other than buying bulk materials being an issue for a beginner, beginners also need the tools, such as tweezers and crimpers that can be found in the kits and upgraded after she learns how to use them.

Wholesale jewelry making supply stores and their catalogues are vital to intermediate and professional jewelry makers.  They have an abundant selection of all types of supplies that they can use in various projects.  It is more expensive up front to buy everything in bulk, but the cost per item is much less, allowing professional jewelers to make more of a profit on their wares.  For those who do it as a hobby from themselves, friends and family, it can save them a lot of money on their gifts, while still giving everyone a special piece of art.

Some of the supplies that can be found at wholesale jewelry making supply stores are wire and beads.  There are different types of wire that are required for different types of jewelry, depending on if it is part of the décor of the piece or if it is only the backbone holding the necklace together.  There is also wire that is used in wrapping, where the wire itself is the decorative element, being formed into coils for use as beads, or twisted into different designs.

Beads are also essential elements since they can be used in all types of jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches.  There are many types of beads themselves, such as metal beads, beads made of gems, painted beads, and others, all of which can be found at a wholesale jewelry making supply store.

Types of Supplies

For a beginning jewelry maker, going to a wholesale jewelry making store is probably not the best idea.  Since the items come in bulk, the beginner might find that she does not particularly like jewelry making after a couple weeks of it, or cannot keep her two year old out of the supplies long enough for her to make something and has to put it away for a later date, which may or may not happen.  Some wholesale jewelry making stores do supply kits for beginners, but it often takes going to an arts and crafts store to purchase the kit.

Experienced jewelry makers love wholesale jewelry making stores because they can stock up on the items they use most, such as wire and beads, so that they do not have to buy them so often and have an abundance of choices on hand at all times.  In addition, buying in bulk, although more expensive at the outset, is really less expensive in the long run for the supplies.

Wire can be found at these wholesale jewelry making stores in all different widths and types of wire.  Since some jewelry makers specialize in silver jewelry or gold, it is important to find that type of wire to go with their products, especially when wrapping and coiling.  It is not always easy to find those types of wires when looking at arts and crafts stores, if not impossible, so ordering from a wholesale jewelry making store is sometimes the only option.

There are also thousands of different styles of beads available in an assortment of colors at wholesale jewelry making stores.  This gives the individual many options to keep at their home or store so that they have those centerpiece and accent beads that they need for creating necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches.

Types of Projects

The types of projects on free jewelry making project sites are almost limitless.  There are many different types of necklaces that can be found on such sites.  For beginners, there are simple, single strand necklaces that can be beaded into different patterns using whatever beads the beginner has chosen.  In addition, it teaches the beginner how to add the clasps and use the crimper to do so, a tool which many have never seen or used before.  There are also more complex necklace projects on free jewelry making project sites, such as the wire wrapped pendant.  This type of project is not for beginners, as it requires knowledge of how to work with wire, use the crimper efficiently, and the patience and eye to create a highly artistic piece of jewelry.

There are other free jewelry making projects that have to do with different types of bracelets.  Like necklaces, there are simple bracelets made of a single strand of wire and some beads which is great for beginners and children.  There are more complex projects that require the use of a bead loom to create the patterns in the bracelet, such as some Native American bracelet patterns.

Free jewelry making projects also teach the individual how to make different styles of earrings and brooches, which can get fairly complex as well.  Although single strand dangling earrings are simple, when they get to double and triple strand dangling earrings or dangling earring designs, then the projects get to be more complex.  In addition, there are post styles of earrings that use a single, larger bead as the center point, usually one that is a gem, and then smaller beads are woven around it so that the end result is flower-like in appearance.  Brooches usually start with a pattern that contains the clip to hold it to the clothing and has the basic shape of the brooch.  The jewelry maker then adds beads and wire to the pattern to create their own style and colors on the brooch.

Supplies

Free jewelry making catalogs contain all types of supplies that jewelry makers can need to practice their craft.  There are basic items in the catalogs such as the different types of wire needed to produce all types of jewelry, such as rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces.  The wire can be found in different metals, such as silver, copper, gold and steel so that different looks can be achieved by the jewelry maker.  It can also be found in different thicknesses, since wire wrapping requires a thicker wire most of the time than building a necklace or bracelet.

Free jewelry making catalogs also contain a plethora of beads for a jewelry maker to choose from.  There are beads that can be used at centerpieces of necklaces and earrings, such as beads that are actually formed out of real gem stones.  There are small beads that are normally used to accent the larger beads or to create patterns in more intricate necklaces, bracelets or earrings.  The beads also come in different metals, so that metallic works can be created, as well as coming in all different colors for variety.  There are some beads that have writing or pictures on them, and others that are especially made for children’s jewelry.

In addition to the wire and beads, free jewelry making catalogs also contain some of the tools required to make different types of jewelry.  Tweezers and crimpers are essential to all jewelry making, and are sold in the catalogs, both separately and in kits.  In addition, there are some types of jewelry that require soldering, so soldering equipment is also sold in the free jewelry making catalogs.  Metal punches for creating different designs are sold as well as different patterns for brooches and rings.

Jewelry makers always look forward to the arrival of their free jewelry making catalogs even if they are not planning on buying anything new.  The catalogs always have different ideas in them, showing off new products and tools in the different pieces in the pictures which gives the jewelry maker at home more ideas for their own creations.

Types of Patterns

There are many different free jewelry making patterns on the market, which allows the individual to pick the one that best fits her tastes or the tastes of her clients and friends.  There are different types of earring patterns, such as that for crystal cube earrings which have two strands that dangle below whatever color and shape the main crystal is at the top of the earring.  Other crystals hang at the bottom of the strands, giving a fun and sassy look to the earrings.

There are some other post earrings that can be found in free jewelry making patterns that are not the type that dangle beneath the ear.  Instead, these earrings have a central ’stone’ or bead, with smaller colored beads that are threaded around it, giving the end appearance the shape of a flower in whatever colored beads were chosen.

There are beautiful free jewelry making patterns for brooches on the market today.  Brooches usually have a base metal that includes the pin that holds the brooch to clothing as well as the general shape of the brooch.  The beadwork goes on top of the brooch and is what gives the brooch its color and character, giving the jewelry making plenty of options to express their creativity in the brooch.

In addition to brooches and earrings, the most common free jewelry making patterns are for necklaces and bracelets. These are the best starting places for beginners since single strand beaded necklaces and bracelets are very simple, only requiring the pattern of beads be added to the strand and then the appropriate clasp be chosen and attached to the wire in order to secure it.  This gives the beginner practice using the basic beading tools, such as the crimper, which takes a little while for the beginner to get used to using.  Once the single strand is mastered, then the beginner can move on to other free jewelry making patterns in necklaces and bracelets such as the beaded chain bracelet, which has a pattern of waved beads within a ‘railroad’ like bracelet form.

Wire and Beads

Free jewelry making instructions encompasses a wide variety of jewelry that works with different types of metals, wire and beads.  There are free jewelry making instructions on how to make stamped earrings, in which the jeweler has to punch holes into the metal in different patterns to make the design before attaching the main piece to the earring post or hook.

There are simple free jewelry making instructions for making beaded necklaces and bracelets, where only a simple wire and different types of beads are needed, according to the colors and pattern desired.  There are more complex instructions for beading that require the use of a bead loom in order to create a more complicated pattern of beads on the necklace or bracelet.

There are also patterns for simple beaded earrings, such as dangling earrings that only have one strand.  When the dangling earrings have more than one strand or are linked in a pattern, then the free jewelry making instructions become more complex to follow.  In addition, there are earring posts on which there can be a beaded flower or other pattern created on it, which is also more complex than a single strand dangling earring.

Free jewelry making instructions also contain recommendations as to what types of materials and projects should be embarked upon by beginners so that they do not get frustrated with their first attempt and give up what can be a very rewarding hobby and possibly a business.  There are jewelry making kits that already have all of the supplies that a beginner needs to get started.  If the beginner wants to branch out on their own from the beginning, free jewelry making sites can give them ideas on what types of wire and beads to buy, as well as tools such as crimpers and bead looms.

Free jewelry making instructions also give some tips to save time in jewelry making, which can be a tedious process where one drop of a strand of the beaded necklace means hours of work lost and beads all over the floor.  These tips teach the beginner how to avoid such catastrophes so that the entire process goes more quickly and common accidents can be avoided.