A jewelry-maker requires tools to create. As with any tools, there are certain safety measures to learn about and practice. Once these tools are mastered you are ready to begin to learn the basics of design so that you can create beautiful pieces of jewelry to wear, give away, or sell. All Jewellery Stores in Melbourne follow basic jewellery designs.
Tools
- Wire Cutters: There are several different styles of wire cutters designed for different uses. The most versatile wire cutter is a flush cutter.
- Chain Nose Pliers: These jaws taper to a sharp point and can be used to access small spaces. May be used to crimp crimp beads.
- Flat Nose Pliers: These jaws are flat and do not taper. May be used to hold wire while working or to wrap loops of wire.
- Crimping Pliers: These jaws are especially made for crimping crimp beads and deliver professional crimped results.
- Round Nose Pliers: These jaws are round and are used for making round loops out of wire.
- Scissors: This is a sharp scissors that is useful in jewelry making. Do not use to cut wire, however.
- Bead Board: This is a portable board with grooves and hollows that allows you to plan a design and organize the beads you are using for a particular project.
- Beat Mat: This is a mat that is placed on a work surface that helps to prevent beads from rolling away and becoming lost.
- Beading Needle: Useful for stringing beads onto beading thread.
- Jewelry Files: Used for filing down sharp edges from trimmed wire.
- Measuring Tape: Use a measuring tape to ensure that your pieces will be the required length while you are designing them.
Designing Jewelry
Before beginning to make any piece of jewellery it is necessary to consider and plan the design of the piece. Planning the size, the length, and the colors needs to be done prior to creating so that the finished piece will be what is desired.
- Composition Balance: Plan the design of a necklace so that the heaviest portion of the piece will be in the center front. Symmetry is not mandatory, but weight must be considered and balanced.
- Length: Determine the finished length desired for a bracelet or necklace. Measure your neck or wrist or an existing piece of jewelry.
- Clasp: Determine the clasp that will be incorporated into the piece. Measure the clasp when it is closed so that the size of the clasp is figured into the finished length.
- Design Experimentation: Place the beads you want to use onto your bead board and experiment with different arrangements and orders of the beads until you have a design you are happy with. Keep your design within the length previously determined.
Once you have created a design that you are happy with, it is time to begin to create a work of art that you will be proud to wear yourself or to give or sell to someone else.