| Creating your own handcrafted jewelry with | | | | with the shapes and colors of your beads and |
| beads is an easy and pleasurable activity for all | | | | make sure that is what you want before you |
| ages and skill levels! Making handcrafted jewelry | | | | start beading. Also, make sure to do this on a |
| with your friends or children is a great way to | | | | smooth surface. Even carpet might disrupt the |
| spend quality time together. Also, making your | | | | order of your beads. |
| own jewelry saves you money on what you | | | | Crimp Bead: A crimp bead is important when |
| would be spending on trendy and expensive | | | | creating your jewelry because finishes the ends |
| jewelry stores. The greatest thing about | | | | of your jewelry and helps create a loop for the |
| handcrafted jewelry is that it is truly unique to | | | | clasp to attach to. There are tube-shaped and |
| you and your style. Here is a simple-to-follow | | | | round-shaped crimp beads to choose from. The |
| guide to creating your own jewelry: | | | | tube-shaped are a little easier to work with. So |
| Choose Your Beads: Beads are available almost | | | | when you are starting to put your necklace or |
| everywhere, from your neighborhood Wal-Mart to | | | | bracelet together, first put a crimp bead on one |
| your specialty craft and bead stores. They come | | | | end of the wire and then attach a clasp. Some |
| in all sizes and colors, so just have fun! | | | | crimp beads will require a set of crimp pliers to |
| Get Your Wire: Beads are typically strung from | | | | make sure that the clasp is on good and tight. |
| very thin, flexible wire, but they can also be | | | | String Your Beads: The easiest part of this |
| strung on string or thread. Wire is just generally | | | | process is simply putting on your beads in the |
| recommended because it is so much stronger and | | | | design you have previously set. To finish your |
| is more likely to last longer without breaking or | | | | handcrafted beaded piece, simply put one more |
| tearing. Make sure to leave a couple more inches | | | | crimp bead at the end of the wire and cut off |
| on the wire than you want the actual jewelry to | | | | any of the remaining wire. |
| be. Shorter necklaces average about 20 inches in | | | | Creating your own beaded jewelry is a very fun |
| length, but longer necklaces are very fashionable | | | | and inexpensive activity. However, if you are all |
| nowadays, so you can go as long as you like! | | | | thumbs, or have no ideas, or just want a more |
| (Though you might want to avoid the floor!) | | | | professional looking piece, you should definitely |
| Create the Design: Decide how you want your | | | | look in to buying handcrafted jewelry in specialty |
| beads arranged before you start beading your | | | | stores or online. They are a very cost-effective |
| necklace or bracelet. Create interesting patterns | | | | and unique way to accessorize. |