Beadworking can really be a rewarding and fun hobby...if you go about it the right way. Many people are not sure where to start. and they end up frustrated and spending a lot more money than they really need to. In the end, many beginner's simply give up and throw or give away all the supplies they have left over, and chalk the whole thing up as wasted time and money.

But beadworking can be fun, relaxing, and even lucrative if you know where to begin. If you choose to, you can sell your pieces and make money, even turning your hobby into a home based business or more. Or you can just make items just for friends and family as gifts, giving them authentic and relatively cheap one-of-a-kind jewelry. If you are just beginning, I recommend only buying the few supplies and tools and work up from there. many sites or guides will convince you that to start correctly, you'll need to purchase all the tools right away, and that is not true. Don't worry about buying the most expensive beads and all the tools there are for the trade. I've been doing beadwork for almost five years now, and there are still many tool I do not have. Mainly because I have never needed them and don't see myself needing them anytime soon.

Also, try to start with designs that are just slightly challenging for you. Designs that are mindlessly easy, such as single strand bracelets made with pony beads, will get boring and not be very rewarding when they are complete. But projects that are too complex or difficult will probably never be finished and will ruin your whole experience.

Beginner's Beading Supplies

Fine Silver wire.

Using silver wire is needed to make pieces that are sturdy and will last.   It does not stretch like many plastic type beading strings, so it requires measuring to get the right sizes and dimensions.  It will also require clasps at the end, rather than a knot.  Silver wire comes in many sizes or gauges.  The higher the number of gauge, the more fine the wire will be.  Lower numbers mean thicker and heavier wire. I tend to use 20 gauge wire for earrings and delicate work, and 16-14 gauge wire for necklaces and bracelets.  Consider using heavier wire if you ever make a piece for a male, as the thicker wire is a bit more sturdy and masculine.  While thicker means it's stronger, you don't want wire that is so thick it will be hard to work with and look too bulky. Try to stay in the range of 14-20 for most projects.

Crimp Beads.

Crimping beads are small metal, wood, or plastic beads that go on the end of your string of beads to hold the design in place and prepare for the clasp to be added.  While they come in many materials, I've found the metal is by far the best.  They givie your pieces a professional finish, and stop the beads from sliding around while you wear the jewelry.Metal ones normally come in silver or gold (plated or not), but I have also seen other colors.  Which ones you get really depends on the project and/or your personally tastes in jewelry.  You should use two of them on most necklaces or bracelets you make, but they aren't necessary for earrings.

Jewelry pliers or Crimping Pliers.

These pliers help with fine work and to clamp the crimp beads in place. Be careful not to use any old pliers for crimping beads as the beads are delicate, and you could ruin them AND your project.  It can result in a mangled looking mess.

Clasps.

There are many different types and styles of clasps, and everyone has their personal preferences.  I like most barrel or springing clasps because they lock in place and are less likely to come undone while wearing, as well as likely to break when if a toddler latches on!  It's hard to know right away what you'll like, so I recommend you pick a couple of patterns you'd like to try and buy the clasps they call for at first.  Or just buy a variety pack of clasps and try them all.  Then you can decide what you like and don't like as you go.

Beads.

Beads are the most important element to decide on when making beaded jewelry, and there is such a vast selection that it can be very daunting to try.  Aside from buying the beads that your chosen patterns require, it is a good idea to buy a few different types here and there, or when they go on sale.  I love shopping at thrift stores for old costume jewelry and taking it apart to use the beads in more modern pieces.  This is very inexpensive and also gives you more clasps to use (in most cases).  Of course your local craft store is a good starting place, but you can also buy beads at wholesale and super cheap prices online.  Many large craft stores do not carry beads of quality any better than plastic, but that is fine to start.  If you decide to go out for crystals, pearls, or more then widen your shopping range to the internet for good deals.  Part of the joy in beadwork comes from discovering unique or hip beads and being creative with them.  So have lots of fun!

These supplies will be all you'll need as you build up your skill with jewelry making. Many will try to sell you a large kit full of supplies that you might never use, so don't be fooled. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you need a full professional style workshop to begin and most importantly, don't get too stressed out with all the unnecessary options out there.