Traditionally, jewelry has been made of glass, semi-precious stones, and metals, and many of us still consider these the staple in the industry. However, the creative ingenuity of artists and craftsmen in every culture have found a way to make something beautiful out of the mundane. Jewelry making supplies and jewelry classes are no longer restricted to the traditional elements. …
How Do You Know the Quality of Semi-Precious Beads?
Using gemstone beads for jewelry making allows you to use beautiful stones to create beautiful, wearable works of art. If you are going to pay for and use gemstones in your work, however, you want to make sure those stones are authentic and high quality. In a perfect world, you could trust the dealer selling the beads. However, in the …
10 Cool Tools for Your Jewelry Making Kit
Making jewelry requires tools. That is why every jewelry maker requires a jewelry making tools kit. Filled with the most essential items for creating a wide variety of jewelry, this kit will help you to craft beautiful projects of all kinds, especially with the holidays right around the corner. Here are the 10 most important items that any jeweler should …
Epoxy: The Best Way to Attach Felt Backing to Cabochons
It is a common practice to use backing in beading. Attaching materials to the backs of beads gives beaders a few advantages for their projects. Backing can enhance the look of the gemstone or bead. It can add stability to the bead. When it comes to embroidery, backing provides a strong base for attaching the bead to the embroidery project. …
Everything You Wanted to Know About Czech Beads
One of the most beautiful, popular, and ancient types of beads is the Czech glass bead. You have probably encountered it during your search for beads and jewelry supplies for your projects. You may, however, not be familiar with the long history of these beads, nor their usefulness today. Here is a comprehensive look at these beads and jewelry supplies. …
10 Most Popular Bead Color Trends of the Year
Trends are a part of every artistic and fashion pursuit. Beading is no exception. Every year brings new beading trends, including new colors to emphasize in your work. These colors can offer inspiration and add appeal to your next beading project. Here is a look at 10 of the most popular color trends of the year for beads for jewelry …
Picking the Best String for Your Beading Project
When starting a beading project, the focus is usually on the beads you plan to use and the design you plan to create. Especially for beginners, selecting a beading material for a project can be a distant consideration. String, however, is one of the most important beading supplies you choose for a project. Those beads have to go on something. …
What to Look for in Labradorite Cabochons?
Labradorite is a beautiful feldspar stone that has, in recent years, become increasingly popular. Labradorite is defined by its gorgeous iridescence that makes it appear to glow from within. Base colors of brown, orange, blue, or green are shot through with other colors. This multi-colored look can include every color of the rainbow, from red and orange to blue and …
What Is the Difference Between a Brick Stitch and a Peyote Stitch?
When you are looking at a piece of beading, can you tell the difference between brick stitch and peyote stitch? It can be hard to tell. Both stitching techniques have up-down patterning, and both can be used in similar ways. Often, the same pattern can be worked in either brick stitch or peyote stitch. Both involve placing beads in a …
6 Must Haves In Your Jewelry Making Tool Kit
When it comes to starting a new project, having all the tools you need in one place is an essential piece of the puzzle. You can easily waste precious crafting time scrambling to collect what you need. In this article I will cover the six essential elements that need to be in your jewelry making tool kit and why they …