Designing and making your own jewelry is a popular hobby. Basic jewelry making is easy and fun to do with enormously satisfying results in a relatively short period of time. It is arguably one of the most addictive crafts out there.

If you are one of these jewelry addicts, then hubbed here are the best bits of information, free tips, tutorial links and technique resources from The Beading Gem's Journal, a different kind of jewelry blog. It is both inspirational and informative with many entertaining posts which help you learn about jewelry, gemstones and jewelry making. Subscribe (it's free!) to catch the latest posts and check back often for updates to this hub.

• SIX MOST USEFUL TOOLS You do need tools to make jewelry but you don't need a whole lot when you're just starting out or if it is only a hobby.
• HOW TO USE SPLIT RING PLIERS Split rings are much more secure than open jump rings especially for clasps. Save your nails with this nifty tool.
• HOW TO USE CRIMP COVERS,WIRE GUARDIANS & 3 TYPES OF CRIMPING PLIERS Up the ante on your jewelry creations with these tips.
• HOW TO TWIST WIRE USING TWO PIN VISES A no hassle easy way to twist wire.
• HOW TO MAKE A TOGGLE CLASP WITH TWISTED WIRE Make a really pretty but strong toggle clasp the easy way.
• HOW TO USE VERNIER CALIPERS This nifty tool helps you measure jump ring sizes amongst other things. Handy for chain maille work
• HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN EAR WIRES Tutorial with lots of photos to show you several ear wire styles you can make.
• HOW TO USE THE E-Z EARRING MAKER TOOL TUTORIAL & REVIEW Make ear wires faster and consistently and let your creativity run riot
• HOW TO USE THE 3 STEP WIRE LOOPING PLIERS to make consistent loops, jump rings and short wire coils
• HOW TO MAKE JEWELRY CLASPS FROM WIRE Different tutorials for different styles
• HOW TO MAKE A BEADED TOGGLE CLASP Custom your clasps!
• HOW TO DO PEARL KNOTTING 3 super tutorials using 3 different tools
• HOW TO MAKE MULTI-STRANDED NECKLACES - Layered, twisted, illusions, these tutorial links cover different looks. For more, click here.
• HOW TO DRILL HOLES IN SEA GLASS
• HOW TO STOP CLASPS FROM MOVING TO THE FRONT
• EASY WAYS TO SHORTEN CORD NECKLACES AND REVIEW ON JUMP RING CLOSING PLIERS

As jewelry making is such an addictive hobby, many artisans sell their creations to fund their habits. Running a craft business requires different sets of skills and approaches.

PHOTOGRAPHY

• 13 THINGS I LEARNT ABOUT JEWELRY PHOTOGRAPHY Here are my top tips to consider if you want to take good pictures of your jewelry.
• JEWELRY PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT A LIGHTBOX Focus on a Finnish artisan who shows off her studio set up and how she takes great pictures the easy way.
• WORLD'S SMALLEST CAMERA TRIPOD works very well for jewelry artisans taking close-ups. Check out the review.
• HOW TO ADD JEWELRY IMAGES TO OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY Tutorial uses Adobe Photoshop Elements
• CRAFTGAWKER SHOWCASES CRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY Submit your best pictures for free publicity if you are accepted. Otherwise a great site to oogle and learn from

CUSTOMERS

• 7 CUSTOMERS TYPES Who they are and how you should treat them to keep them coming back.
• WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT Review of hilarious site which shares customer encounters
• HOW TO MAKE JEWELRY BAGS 4 tutorial links to whip up snazzy bags for loyal customers, special people and for travel.

ADVERTISING & SOCIAL MEDIA

• PROJECT WONDERFUL An alternative low cost advertising vehicle to Google Adwords.
• GET YOUR JEWELRY RATED ON PLAINCRAFTHow would you like to get a whole bunch of people rave about your jewelry and get free publicity at the same time?
• 6 QUESTIONS TO REALLY ASK BEFORE STARTING A BLOG Blogs are dynamic and you may be tempted to start one. Can you commit?
• 7 EASY WAYS TO GROW YOUR JEWELRY BLOG and they are free too!
• HAVE YOU TWITTERED YET? Twitter is a popular micro-blogging platform to engage your family, friends and loyal customers. Easier than a blog!

SELLING

• WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR MOJO TO BEAD 16 things you can do to kick start your flagging creativity.
• 6 TRAPS TO AVOID WHEN PRICING JEWELRY It's hard to figure out how much to charge - too much and nobody buys, too little and you're practically giving it away.
• WHAT KIND OF BEADER ARE YOU?Fun article to classify all the beading enthuasists out there and why it pays to start a business.
• MAKE YOUR OWN EARRING CARDSfor both dangles and studs. Tips on how to print and cut out cards for display.
• ARTFIRE VS ETSY A review of two artisan selling sites. Find out which is better for you. FUNKYFINDS has a different shop pricing approach - check it out.

DISPLAYS

• HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN RING DISPLAYS
• HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN EARRING DISPLAYS
• HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN NECKLACE DISPLAYS

• FREE TUTORIAL LISTINGS FOR WIRE WRAPPING & COILING PROJECTS Some of best on the web for those who love wire work.
• MORE INSPIRATIONAL WIRE WRAPPED RINGS is another post to check. For a simpler tutorial, try HOW TO MAKE A WIRE WRAPPED EYE PIN RING. Looking for a challenge, try HOW TO MAKE A WIRE WRAPPED KNOT RING.
• TREE OF LIFE PENDANT TUTORIAL A different take on an old favorite. Updated with new photos!
  
• KNITTING & CROCHET WITH WIRE Using wire rather than yarn makes awesome jewelry.
• WOVEN & BRAIDED WIRE JEWELRY Video tutorials on how to weave or braid multiply strands of wire.
• BEAD & WIRE FLOWER TUTORIALS 3 of the prettiest tutorials from the web - all must-trys!
• STILETTO JEWELRY Inspirational, tips and a tutorial link for swingin' stilleto earrings.
• WIRE NAME PENDANTS Write with wire and pliers for some personalised jewelry. Tutorial links with inspirational designs.
• HANDMADE CUFF LINKS Tutorial links to wire work cuff links
• 3 WAYS TO MAKE SCROLLED WIRE CONNECTIONS This includes the popular Egyptian coils
• 3 WAYS TO STOP SPOOL WIRE FROM UNCOILING Save your sanity with these simple tricks
• STRING ART PENDANT TUTORIAL You gotta try this one! Really cool and pretty
• HOW TO WIRE WRAP MARBLES Post shows a tutorial on how to crackle or fry a marble and several on how to wire wrap a holeless marble
• HOW TO MAKE & WIRE WRAP BRIOLETTE EARRINGS 4 ways to deal with side drilled beads
• TWO TUTORIALS ON EASY CHAIN PROJECTS One is a tassel and chain. The other is using connectors as chains.''
• HOW TO WIRE WRAP SEA GLASS
• HOW TO MAKE A SWAROVSKI BUTTON ON A NECKWIRE Quick and super easy project
• HOW TO WIRE WRAP CABOCHONS Several tutorials with different numbers of wires

• 8 WAYS TO PATINA JEWELRY Add the vintage look to your jewelry.
• HOW TO CLEAN OFF THE GREEN GUNK ON JEWELRY Easy way to clean patina off copper, brass and bronze metals when you haven't been keeping your jewelry in zip lock bags.
• OF CARATS, KARATS AND CARROTS Do you know which one is for gold?
• METAL ALLERGIES

• HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS TREE EARRINGS in many different ways
• HOW TO MAKE BEADED WITCHES
• HOW TO MAKE BEADED SPIDERS for non-arachnophobes!

• KUMIHIMO Japanese craft of braiding yarns now adopted by jewelry artisans using yarn or wire with beads and crystals.
• HAND PAINTED BEADS Buy them or make them!
• KNITTED BEAD AMULET NECKLACESTiny little yarn knitted bags on necklaces.
• BEADED WITCHES FOR HALLOWEEN Check out these two tutorial links
• BEADED BOOKMARKS These make excellent gifts. Video tutorial and tons of tutorial links for design inspiration
• SPIRAL STITCH TUTORIALS Did you know there were four types?
• LEARN NEW STITCHES WITH BEADED EARRINGS Tutorials and videos on how to do several different types of stitches in quick earring projects
• CUT OUT & KEEP TUTORIAL SITE Has many jewelry tutorials. The best beadwork tutorials are featured here
• CYNDI LAVIN'S GORGEOUS AUTUMN ARBOR TUTORIAL Learn 3 different new stitches and wow everyone.

• MAKING JUMP RINGS BY HAND Ready made rings can be purchased. But it's good to know what the options are if you want to make your own jump rings.
• BYZANTINE AND BOX CHAIN MAILLE TUTORIALS Learn how to make one of the prettiest jewelry chain maille weaves.
• CHAIN MAILLE JEWELRY MAKING TIPS Get the tips and tricks to get you going
• FULL PERSIAN TUTORIAL THE EASY WAY Illustrated with still photographs and an original video tutorial

You'll need a mini-blow torch or kiln for this sort of work.

• SILVER WIRE FUSING Find out the difference between fusing and soldering.
• THE MAKING OF A DICHROIC GLASS PENDANT How one artisan goes about creating her layered glass work.Also includes tutorial links to precious metal clay work.
• METAL CLAY SILVER PAPER ORIGAMI Metal clay that comes like paper allows you to fold silver jewelry.

• LEATHER JEWELRY How to create different styles of leather jewelry
• BUTTON JEWELRY Wire, sew or chain maille buttons together!
• MORE BUTTON JEWELRY Inspiration artisans and their creative ways with holed and shank buttons
• HOW TO MAKE BUTTON RINGS 3 different wiring approaches plus the use of button and ring blanks
  
• LACE BRACELETS An inspirational designer and a tutorial link to make a lacy knit bracelet
• ZIPPER FLOWERS The links to an amazing zipper jewelry artisan and a video on how to make a zipper flower for brooches and hair ornaments
• ZIPPER COLLARS Fun and funky tutorial to try.
• SILK RUFFLE NECKLACES Inspirational and tutorial link to make your own luxury fabric jewelry
  
• EASY LEATHER FRINGE NECKLACE Dana James' tutorial helps you use up leftover beads and cord lengths.
• LACE BROOCH TUTORIAL Check out some gorgeous inspirational lace jewelry and the link to make your own lace brooch.
• USE DIY KUMIHIMO DISCS TO MAKE BRAIDED BRACELETS
• FINGER LOOP BRAIDED BRACELETS An ancient technique comes to light!
• TURK'S HEAD KNOTTED JEWELRY Take an inspiration from the nautical world.
• HOW TO MAKE FABRIC JEWELRY HUGE collection of tutorial links

• INSPIRATIONAL PAPER BEAD JEWELRY with tutorial link to learn how to do this old favorite.
• DECOUPAGE PAPER JEWELRY Check the end of this inspirational post for a decoupage jewelry tutorial link.
• QUILLED PAPER JEWELRY Amazing tutorial by a paper artisan. Encase work like this in resin for stunning results.

• JEWELRY FROM RECYCLED T-SHIRTS AND CLOTHING Several tutorial links available.
• ALUMINIUM CAN JEWELRY Inspirational designs and a tutorial link.
• CANDY WRAPPER BRACELET Cool eco jewelry!
• JEWELRY FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC BAGS Some inspirational designs plus tutorial links to making your own plastic yarn and plastic bag adornments
• CREDIT CARD BRACELET TUTORIAL Cutting up your cards? Check out this cool eco jewelry tutorial by Scavenger.

HOW TO MAKE BRACELETS FROM HAIR ELASTICS Easy as pie !

• HOW TO MAKE RESIN GEMSTONES
• RESIN PHOTO PENDANTS Featured supply shop and tutorial links
• RESIN JEWELRY Video tutorial links and a discussion on bubble trouble.

Variety is the spice of life!

• STRETCH BRACELETS Tutorial links to a number of elasticated bracelet ideas.
• STEAMPUNK JEWELRY Explains what this wildly popular style of jewelry is and how to make a very simple steampunk ring.
• CHINESE KNOTTING TUTORIALS
• DESIGN USING JEWELRY FRAMES
• HARDWARE JEWELRY
• LANYARD BRACLETS Inspirational designs as well as tutorial links for lanyard or knotted bracelets made from paracord
• ROSE PETAL BEADS Learn the ancient art of making beads from real roses
• WATCH BRACELET TUTORIAL Mostly inspirational designs for both men and women
• HAIR BARRETTE TUTORIALS Different techniques to whip up pretty hair jewelry!
• HOW TO MAKE WORD OR TEXT BEADS Share your message!
• HOW TO MAKE VINTAGE STYLE JEWELRY for yesteryear charm
• HOW TO MAKE PVC BRACELETS PVC is not just for construction!
  

Sharing what you love to do and making new friends have gotten easier with the internet.

1. JEWELRYGEEKS Formerly known as Metalchasers, Jewelry Geeks is a social network where every single member is interested in jewelry making.
2. VIDEO TUTORIAL SITES Review article on different sites where you can find various video tutorials on how to make jewelry.Check out my linked video class on jewelry making basics on Su Tree.
3. HOW TO CHECK JEWELRY MAKING BOOKS BEFORE YOU BUY The library is a good resource but there are three other ways you can preview books for free before you buy.