Making Jewelry For Fun and Profit
Posted: Sunday, August 22, 2010
by m5940
The Job market is very challenging with millions of jobs lost since the start of the recession. There are so many families struggling to make ends meet. Homes have been foreclosed at record rates and delinquency is still an alarming problem. Many Retirements saving have been almost or totally depleted leaving so many people at the brink of financial ruins. I recall a statement from some of the leaders in Washington stating that people are going to have to start creating their own jobs. That's a very broad statement but believe it or not many people have created their own jobs.
I personally like to bead jewelry as well as make it out of polymer clay. You can choose to make beaded earring, necklaces, bracelets, or as you get more advanced watches. The supplies for a basic beaded necklace would be beads, bead board, stringing wire, clasps, crimp tool crimp beads. Crimp beads are small metal tubes that are squeezed tight around beading wire with a crimp tool to hold beads in place. They allow you to easily attach a clasp to the end of your design.
As you get more advanced with beading jewelry you will to add items like wire cutters, flat-nose, rounded nose pliers and chain nose. There may be other supplies you may need according to the style of jewelry you would like to create. There are many options for getting started, the internet has a variety of free tutorials online, or checkout You Tube for jewelry videos and there are many books that may be purchased. Supplies are available a local Michaels, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart or at many online retailers. There are many beading books on the market today.
Another suggestion for making jewelry is polymer clay which is a pliable, blend-able man made alternative to clay. It can also be purchased from most local craft stores including places like Wal-Mart. It is generally sold in 2oz blocks and comes in a multitude of colors. Some people use the clay free form while others use molds for their creations. There is a little bit of a learning curve working with polymer clay, and you mostly learn by trial and error. The completed clay piece has to be baked and the baking time is included on the package. Polymer clay opens a new level of creativity far beyond making jewelry.
There is also how to tutorials online, You Tube videos, and books that maybe purchased. Basically all you need to get started making jewelry with polymer clay is the clay and an oven. I recommend having a clay extruder, sharp blades, Sandpaper which enables you to give your clay a smooth and crisp finish. Polymer clay should be sanded underneath water with 400 grit or higher wet/dry sandpaper. A Steel wool or buffer would be a benefit because these tools help to give your finished project a glossy or shiny appearance. You can purchase a liquid gloss finish for polymer clay. The most common liquid gloss finishes used on polymer clay are polyurethane (usually Varathane, indoor, gloss) and Future floor polish (now renamed Pledge with Future Shine).
Vist my bolg for more tips and ideas
http://jewelrymakingforprofit.blogspot.com/
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hi Mattie. I love bead jewelry, I think they are beautiful. Interesting and informative article. Welcome to SearchWarp! ~~Nenita
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