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Originally Posted On: No Need To Spend A Fortune To Look Good: DIY Jewelry – CousinDIY

 

Trying to find some cute and unique jewelry that won’t cost an arm and a leg? What about making it yourself?! DIY Jewelry is easier than you think!

Imagine this: you’re out shopping with friends at a trendy boutique when a necklace catches your eye. You know it would look perfect with a new outfit you just bought. You’re all set to purchase it until you see the price tag.

Why does jewelry have to be so expensive? Looking good and staying on trend shouldn’t break the bank. And it doesn’t have to!

You have the power to make your own statement pieces at home by taking up DIY jewelry making.

We know that new hobbies can be intimidating, especially when it’s a craft we’re unfamiliar with. But don’t worry! Making your own jewelry is easier than you think.

And we’re here to help you make the trendy jewelry you love at a fraction of the price. Keep reading to get all of the details on what is sure to become your new favorite hobby.

Why DIY Jewelry?

There are many reasons to take up DIY jewelry making but high on that list is the low cost to high yield ratio. For extremely low prices, you can buy entire kits that will allow you to make multiple pieces of jewelry. This puts you in a position where you can create as many pieces of jewelry as you want while also continually improving your DIY skills.

As with any new hobby or skill, it’s important to practice as much as possible. After all, this is the only way you will get better. And the better your skills are, the better the jewelry you can make will be.

Since crafting supplies are inexpensive it means that you can practice as much as you need without feeling as though you’re wasting your money. This will be critical to the development of your jewelry making skills.

As your skills develop, you’ll find yourself able to make more complex jewelry. The more complex your designs are, the easier it will be to stay on top of trends. You’ll be able to make stunning, boutique-quality jewelry that will look great and be the talk of all of your friends.

Besides the utility of crafting your own DIY jewelry, learning a new skill, or taking on a new hobby is a joy in and of itself. It is immensely gratifying to craft a wearable object and know that you did all of the hard work.

Hobbies such as DIY jewelry making provide you with ample mental stimulation, and that has immense health benefits. Research has shown that engaging in stimulating hobbies can improve memory and reduce dementia risk.

Now that you know the benefits of crafting your own jewelry, you’re likely ready to get started on your own projects. And that opens up a new question: where do you start?

Getting Started

We know that if you Google “DIY jewelry projects” you’re going to get hundreds of results, which can be incredibly overwhelming. That’s so much information to sort through, it’s tough to know what’s useful and what isn’t–especially as a beginner.

You’re in luck though, because we have a simple to follow beginner’s DIY booklet that you can download for free! It’s a great resource that we’ve packed with all of the info you need as a beginner.

But don’t feel limited to one guide. As we said, there are hundreds of great DIY projects for beginners for you to explore. And projects will range from very casual weekend wear that pairs great with jeans and a t-shirt, all the way up to very elegant and evening wear ready.

But maybe you’ve already found some great beginner’s projects that you’re eager to get started on. If that’s the case, you’re going to need tools.

Which Tools to Get

While some projects and designs can be made by hand with good old fashioned string and knots, most DIY jewelry is going to require tools. You do not need to get every single tool that you see online or in stores. We know it’s tempting to do so when you’re excited about a new hobby, but as a beginner, you only need the basics.

This guide is a very good place to start. Most of what you’ll need tool wise are different types of pliers and wire cutters. These tools will help you immensely as you deal with shaping and clipping metal wires, stringing beads, and securing clasps.

Now that you’ve got your beginner’s guide and your tools, what about materials?

Picking Materials

Just like there are more DIY projects online than you can count, the same goes for materials. If you’ve looked at our site, you already know this!

If you’re having difficulty narrowing down your selection, it’s important to ask yourself what your goals are for your jewelry making. If you want to make jewelry that’s fresh and on-trend, we recommend taking a look at seasonal trend guides.

If you’re fashion-conscious you’re likely already aware that just like clothing trends change with the seasons, so does jewelry. There are always timeless pieces like simple gold chains or sterling silver rings, but there are fun trends that come around every season you can easily make on your own without blowing your budget.

Once you’ve identified the trends that fit your personal style, you’ll have a better idea of the kinds of materials you should invest in.

But maybe you don’t follow trends and instead have a well-curated personal style. Then it’s time to ask yourself what kind of jewelry usually catches your eye.

Do you love intricately beaded bracelets? Do twisted metal necklace chains holding perfect crystals speak to your soul? Or do you love the natural feel of wood and resin pendants?

Your answers to these questions will guide you towards your perfect materials.

Yarn and Cord

In the world of DIY jewelry making, there is no limit to the kind of supplies you can incorporate into your creations. You can start simple, with knotted yarn or silk cord, both of which make for chic bracelets. Leather cord is a great option for necklaces like the ones you see in this lariat project.

Beads

Beads are one of the most popular materials to use in jewelry projects because of how versatile they can be. You can stick with acrylic coated beads or you can try chic glass beads to really take your DIY jewelry to the next level. You can even try out velvet beads for a unique look!

Crystals

If you want to kick your style into high gear you can also try out crystals and crystal beads. These beautiful objects can really add a touch of class and elegance to your DIY project. And since they come in virtually every color you can think of, you have a lot of customization options.

Other Materials

There are also unconventional materials like leather, polymer clay, Shrinky-Dinks, wood, and even paper! All of these materials can be utilized to make beautiful jewelry that you’re sure to get compliments on.

Supplies

Once you’ve picked out the actual jewelry part of your project, you’ll need to pick out the other supplies that will actually turn all of these different parts into a functional piece of jewelry.

Our beginner’s guide or whatever project you’ve chosen to work on will tell you exactly what you need to put each piece together. If you’ve chosen to work with beads, you’re likely going to need wire to string them on, bead stoppers to keep them in place, and a clasp of some kind so that your piece of jewelry will be wearable. Split and jump rings are also good to have on hand if you’re interested in making necklaces.

Now that you have your project, your tools, and your materials you’re ready to start crafting.

What Next?

Now that you’ve got the basics down, you’re ready to start playing with more advanced DIY projects. Don’t worry about “failing”. There is no failing in DIY jewelry making because mistakes are learning opportunities.

And since we offer so many high-quality supplies at low prices, you can practice as much as you want without feeling as though you’re wasting money. Like we said up top, practice is essential to improving your skills.

You may discover that you have a real love and talent for making your own jewelry. We know you want to keep growing your skills and we can help with our extensive library of videos. They’re guaranteed to teach you things you don’t know yet and get you to the next level of crafting!