How To Make Simple Jewelry

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By SweetiePie


If you go to the department stores you will often see that jewelry is overpriced, but would not cost a lot of money to make. I am not talking about diamonds and gold, but rather the cute beaded bracelets they charge twenty-eight dollars for at Macy's. I have been duped into paying a large amount of money for jewelry made of inexpensive materials, but I decided one day last year I did not want to do this anymore. I love costume jewelry and inexpensive jewelry because it is fun, bold, and I do not feel bad if I lose it. I would feel horrid if I lost a beautiful diamond bracelet, but if I lost a simple bead necklace I would just mostly be disappointed. Glass beads come in very many beautiful shades in colors, as do acrylic beads and many other affordable beads. One of my favorite hobbies is going to the crafting store to buy bead, pendants, and finding that are inexpensive. In this hub I will show you how I make sever simple piece of jewelry. These are the types of crafts you can do with children because they are simple and easy.

A Simple Bracelet Made of Glass Beads

Glass beads are fun and inexpensive to use in making bracelet. Decide on the color you would like to put on your bracelet and the type of stretchy cord you would like to use. I prefer stretchy cord, but you can use whatever supplies you prefer.

Step One: Gathering Your Supplies

Gather your supplies
Gather your supplies

Step Two: Decide What Type of String You Are Going to Use

Using stretchy string is easier than wire.  However, you decide which type of string or wire to use.
Using stretchy string is easier than wire. However, you decide which type of string or wire to use.

Step Three: Make a Pattern With the Beads

Make a pattern using smaller and larger beads.
Make a pattern using smaller and larger beads.

I like to make a pattern using smaller and larger beads, but if you prefer to mix all the beads up that is fun too. Sometimes I have leftover beads from different projects and I make a multi-colored bracelet. Here I am using blue colored beads that were on sale for a dollar fifty, which are similar to ones I saw on a bracelet for twenty dollars at the mall.

Step Four: Continue The Stringing Beads Until The Desire Length is Reached

The Finished Product

Here is an example of what the finished product looks like.
Here is an example of what the finished product looks like.

Tying off the stretchy string is easy and simple. There are many different shapes, colors, and styles of beads you can use. I have made green, blue, and even red bracelets. The possibilities are endless with beading.

Use Old Jewelry Cases For Gifting Handmade Bracelets

Other Types of Bracelets and Earrings That Are Simple to Make

Use a Wire Chain to Make a Simple Necklace

For this project I used a wire necklace that had magnetic clasps, which are easy to use, do not get caught in the back of long hair, and which screw off easily. The pendant and beads I used for this project are made out of magnetite, but they almost look like black pearls from a distance. Who said cheap beads cannot be beautiful?

Step One: Position the Wire Chain

Beading wire is one of the ideal ways to string a necklace or a bracelet. This particular beading wire is ideal because it has a magnetic clasp that screws off on one end. I enjoy the shape of beading wire and recommend it highly.

Add Half of the Magnetite Beads and the Pendant

I added the first ten magnetite beads and then I added the pendant.
I added the first ten magnetite beads and then I added the pendant.

The Completed Necklace

Add the next ten round magnetite beads and then screw back on the magnetic clasp.    This necklace only took fifteen minutes to make!
Add the next ten round magnetite beads and then screw back on the magnetic clasp. This necklace only took fifteen minutes to make!

The supplies for each of these pieces of jewelry cost less than five dollars, which is about fifteen-twenty dollars less than you would pay in the store. Beading is fun for children and it allows them the creativity to make their own jewelry. I enjoy going to the sale aisle at crafting stores and you can find some very good deals on beads. Good luck and I hope you enjoy making your own beaded necklaces, bracelets, or whatever type of jewelry you choose.

Here is another example of a bracelet you can make using magnetite beads.
Here is another example of a bracelet you can make using magnetite beads.

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C.S.Alexis profile image

C.S.Alexis  says:
4 months ago

Nice Hub SweetiePie. I did this many years ago and actually use to make gas money selling my work. I picked most of my beads up from garage sales back then. Really saving money! Good job.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
4 months ago

I think you should get into it again. Thanks for stopping by C.S. Alexis!

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
4 months ago

Great pics and explanations for starting to do this. I might have a go at it thanks.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
4 months ago

I hope you enjoy it if you do try it Eileen. Thanks for stopping by!

Karen Ellis profile image

Karen Ellis  says:
4 months ago

Sweetiepie,

You did a great job on this article. I have hords of beads in my craft room. I'm a real arts and crafts person - taught classes at Michaels.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
4 months ago

Wow your classes sound really fun! Thanks for sharing Karen!

MM Del Rosario profile image

MM Del Rosario  says:
4 months ago

I enrolled my daughter in a beading class last school holidays and now she would like to sell the jewelry she made....

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
4 months ago

Wow that is really good MM Del Rosario! I have never sold jewelry myself, but two other ladies here have commented that they sold jewelry and taught classes on beading. I think they would be good experts on how to get started :) Thanks for stopping by :)

Seabastian profile image

Seabastian  says:
3 months ago

You are right about being able to make beautiful jewelry very affordably. We offer custom handmade wedding jewelry for the bride and as bridesmaids gifts at silverlandjewelry.com and I even uploaded a crude video to utube showing how to make some of the jewelry.

If someone can see that I can make it with my clumsy hands and lack of artistic skill-they should be very confident of doing it themselves.

Just for the record-I don't make much of our jewelry-typically a few earrings or a simple necklace with a drop every now and then for a rush order. Nearly all the jewelry is made by experienced local jewelry makers.

You ought to add a few of your favorite creations to your other products.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
3 months ago

Seabastin,

Thanks for sharing all your knowledgable experiences with jewelrymaking. Right now I am not selling any jewelry, but I might in the future so thanks for the suggestion.

Lisa McGrimmon profile image

Lisa McGrimmon  says:
2 months ago

Great, helpful tutorial. It's amazing what treasures you can make with a few beads and some simple tools. It's also helpful to have a five year old around the house when making beaded jewelry - he's low-to-the-ground, so he can easily find all of the beads that I drop.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

Thanks for the wonderful comments and insights Lisa.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Nice, I just come across this hub. I always like to see and hear about jewelry making/designing being it's a form of art....Interesting :)

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

I started making my own jewelry last year when I realized how expensive jewelry is at the department stores. I would see a simple bracelet made of glass beads on sale from $25 dollars, but I learned people can make something just as pretty, if not better on their own. That is one of the reasons I always comment that I like the jewelry women wear on your hubs because whenever I see a piece it gives me ideas. Thanks for stopping by weblog.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Nice to know. Yes, I try to post something different, as you said you never heard of Minka Kelly, even I don't know her for long. And, I'm trying to be different these days, so I'm posting some celebs who are not so popular.

About the jewelry of Indian women, I have great taste of it. I almost always analyse movies technically and especially I look keen about costumes, make-up and jewelry in movies - aesthetic!!!

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

I love Indian jewelry and clothing. Actually some of the most pretty tops I have were made in India with an Indian style to them. I always receive compliments when I wear these. I have also found some really pretty beads and shells made in India.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

That's nice. Although I post sexy pics of celebs, personally I don't like too much of skinshow/exposure in Indian movies. I'm not orthodox, but glamour is overshadowing everything else in our movies(especially in north - bollywood), thats what I feel. And, also I wonder how our actresses wear too much of exposing dresses in public (like you have seen pics of Shriya in award function). But, otherwise their dressing sense and jewelry are very good. I just want them to show more in acting, along with glamour(as it is unavoidable).

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

Personally I was never offended by your sexy pics weblog.  Humans are beautiful creatures made by God and I do not think you post bad pictures on your hubs.  At least you care about the acting ability and that is really good.  I think American celebrities such as Britney Spears have pushed the envelope too far when it comes to wearing short skirts and no underwear.  Britney is actually a good singer and actress if she would not focus singing songs about being not that innocent.  She seems to have fallen down a path that many American celebrities have gone with the following paparazzi them all over the place.  I refuse to watch the American show TMZ here in the USA because it is basically about the paparazzi stalking and making fun of celebrities for a profit.  The other day they were poking fun at Candace Cameron saying her name was funny, but I think they just did not like her because she is a good girl that does not go drinking and driving. 

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Thanks for understanding. I always think of celebs' personal life becoming hot topic and press/media almost always poking into celeb's private things too much. Sometimes I even think media has lost it's ethics. On the other side, most of the celebs are giving room for controversies. I know some Indian celebs who make publicity stunts that they feel worth to become more popular.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

I am fine with people being interested in celebrities because of course they are glamourous in the public eye, but I think the current paparazzi behavior fuels the fire.  In the days of Bette Davis celebrities would grant interviews and it was all very refined, but now it is about the paparazzi chasing celebrities on the freeway. Recently a mom who was not celebrity, but who maybe looked like someone famous, was chased on the freeway by the paparazzi and she was very scared. Princess Diane was killed because of a paparazzi chase, which shows how traumatic the entire thing can be. Also, I do not like the idea of people hanging outside of a a famous person's house and taking pictures, it is just plain boring. Even here celebrities do things to draw attention to themselves, but it is sad we are not spending more time concentrating on good roles and good acting.  I am more interested in hearing about movies such as The Kite Runner, which was based on the great book by Khaled Hosseini as opposed to what type of coffee Paris Hilton likes to drink.  However, I still do admire nice outfits and jewelry that celebrities wear because it give me ideas.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Hi SweetiePie, it was 3 am here when I left the last comment here, then I went to sleep. Celebs have personal life, we should respect. Paparazzi is going wild, I felt sorry for Diana when it happened...still I get disturbed on recalling.

Yes, I agree with you. Celebs have their rights to decide their outfits. But, culture differs nah. Aishwarya Rai wore such a nasty exposing costume in her first cannes appearance. People there could have taken it normal, but Indians felt bad because it gives wrong impression about Indians. She could have wore Saree or some other North Indian traditional wear, Saree can show much sexy, but not awkward.

That's what I expect from our celebs(female). Many other bollywood babes did the same following Aishwarya, recently it was Shriya at IIFA awards at Bangkok.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

When I like celebs outfits I meant more clothed ones like Anne Hathaway. I also agree Indian celebs should be respectful of traditional Indian dress. Sarees are very beautiful and I am surprised they do not want to wear these to events. One of my old roommates lives in America, but here and her family are constantly wearing sarees at some events, even though they wear modern clothes too. Balance is a good thing.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

That's it. They can wear any costume in movies(character sketch decides it). But, what I feel is that they must be aware of how their outfits get good/bad impressions in public. Thanks for understanding.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

I do weblog. Actually most of the people I went to school with were Asian and Indian, so I saw many Hindi girls that wore sarees quite often. My former roommate still does I noticed on her facebook messages.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Actually, I believe saree is as good as any other costume that is sexy and hot. Low-hip(navel show!!) Saree, if combined with sleevelss, low-neck blouse(cleavage show!!) can be much more sexy. Our actresses know that well as they wear in movies. Especially, I love Aishwarya Rai(bachchan) when she is in saree better than in any other costume. I hope you know her, she is doing in hollywood too.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

I know her know through your hubs, which are teaching me many things.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

It's my pleasure friend :)

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

Nice friends like you are even more precious than jewels.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Well, did you read the recent hub of Jenny? It is about understanding google adsense reports, helpful hub for me.

stephhicks68 profile image

stephhicks68  says:
2 months ago

Hi SweetiePie - I am glad that I discovered your hub on this topic. I have tons of beading supplies and have meant to get into the hobby, but didn't take a class or anything. Your hub makes it look very easy and fun. Time to get going on this! My daughter will enjoy working with mom on these projects (she is 5). Steph

SirDent profile image

SirDent  says:
2 months ago

You are very creative. Great hub with easy to follow instructions.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

Steph,

I love making jewelry and it can be very easy and fun. I have seen more complicated necklaces to make, but with the right beads the simple ones can look just as nice. I get many compliments from people that come into my job about these simple necklaces, so I really believe in making simple jewelry now. Thanks for stopping by and leaving nice comments.

Sirdent,

You are very sweet. Thanks for commenting.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

I tried to post this hub link at mixx and I found it was already there. I guessed it must be you submitted there. I've left you a mixx mail simply :)

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

Yes I already had submitted it to mixx.  I prefer mixx over digg.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Digg bans some users for no valid reason, I think you were talking about it in forums. I had bad experiences with Digg, Mixx don't get as many visitors as Digg provides in few minutes. But, Mixx is simply seems to be good environment. I love the communities, groups and tags - there are so many features in mixx that we don't find in Digg.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

Try Craigslist and you can advertise you hub in the general category as an article of interest. Also, you can participate in the Craiglist forums and have one link to a favorite hub in your rofile. Another thing you could do is join Facebook and you can let people know about your hubs this way.

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 months ago

Fine. Thanks for the idea, I thought craigslist is only for business promotion. I have never been there. I knew about facebook, but yet to try seriously.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 months ago

Yes you are able to advertise on Craigslist. Funnebone wote a hub about this if you are interested.

talford profile image

talford  says:
2 weeks ago

Good hub. My wife is a pro stringer (pearls etc).

I wanted to say congrats on your profile being sent out. Two thumbs up!

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 weeks ago

Thanks for the comments Talford. I am glad to hear your wife enjoys stringing pearls and maybe she should write a hub about that. I really appreciate it :).

torino70 profile image

torino70  says:
2 weeks ago

These hubs about jewlery making are very cool, i want to learn to do this someday

weblog profile image

weblog  says:
2 weeks ago

Blogging about this :)

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 weeks ago

Thanks torino! I am glad to see you finally added an avatar.

I appreciate it weblog :).

webismine profile image

webismine  says:
2 weeks ago

SweetiePie, your hubs are as good as your Avatars!!!

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 weeks ago

Thanks webismine!

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