Creating Your Own Unique Jewelry with Handmade Beads

Finding exactly the right piece of jewelry to enhance your favorite outfit is not always simple. Mass produced costume jewelry can look cheap and does not last; while custom designer pieces are normally far beyond the budget of the average woman. The solution could be to make your own jewelry. Creating one of a kind, individual pieces to suit your own taste and sense of style is rewarding and not at all as difficult as you might imagine.

When setting out to design and make your own necklaces or bracelets there are two routes you can take. The first, and probably the easiest to start with, is to buy a kit with all the beads and findings you need to complete the item; then simply assemble them yourself. The second route is to create your own beads for a truly unique look.

Handmade beads can be crafted from a wide range of materials; from simple triangular strips of paper rolled and glued to create a simple bead, to fabulous glass creations which will require more skill and specialist equipment. Specialist craft stores will supply the necessary findings needed to turn your handmade beads into finished pieces of jewelry.

Plain paper beads can be colored once the glue has dried or alternatively use colored paper. Then the colored beads need to be coated with craft varnish to make them durable. All that is needed to make finished paper beads into a charming bracelet for yourself or as a gift, is a length of elasticated jewelers cord, a crimping bead and a small pair of pliers. You can experiment with different types of paper and with using small glass spacer beads between the paper beads to vary the design. There is a wide range of craft papers in every color you can think of that can be used to make beads; but pages from magazines or sheets of gift wrapping paper work equally as well.

For your initial adventures in bead-making, you can buy starter kits containing everything you need. Choosing the best bead making kits for your jewelry creations is all part of the fun in this fascinating hobby. The more pieces you make the better your skills will become and you could find that this craft may become quite profitable for you as once your friends and family see the unique items you make, they are sure to want some for themselves.