Getting Started with Jewelry Making

Jewelry making is one of the hottest hobbies around right now. Just a few years ago, you were lucky to find a bead in your average local craft store let alone wire or jewelry making tools. Today, you will find isle upon isle full of jewelry making supplies at places like JoAnn's, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby. Of course, there is also a ton of jewelry suppliers on-line as well.

Why is it so popular? I mean, what's all the fuss about? I think one of the main reasons - other than it is just fun to make it - is that jewelry making is one of the few hobbies that allows you to wear your creations. Plus, with just a few basic skills, you can pick up some of the more simple techniques pretty quickly and have a necklace around your neck or bracelet around your write in relatively little time.

If you have thought about learning to make jewelry or already do make some kind of jewelry but want to branch out into other jewelry media, then this "Getting Started" list will point you in the right direction:

Get Started: Bead Stringing
Get Started: Wire Work
Get Started: Metal Clay
Get Started: Polymer Clay
Get Started: Metalsmithing
Get Started: Macrame
Get Started: Fused Glass
Get Started: Seed Beading