The first step to making jewelry is to choose what type of jewelry interests you most. Deciding what type of jewelry you want to make can be very overwhelming. Choose one medium to focus on first, knowing that you can always try something else later, and he skills may even build on each other and you’ll have an easier time learning a new technique because of what you can already do.
Next, you to master a few basic skills. Whether you’re planning on working with beads, clay metal, or another type of jewelry first, there are a few skills you’re going to want to know for just about every project you make. Most projects will require that you have a basic knowledge of how to open and close a jump ring properly and form a simple wire loop.
The third step is to get good quality tools. The better the tools you have to work with, the easier the process will be and the better your project will turn out. You also need to figure out what materials you need. Testing some of those materials are also helpful because you can be more familiar with them.
Make sure you have a well organized workspace. There’s nothing more frustrating than having random supplies everywhere. If you can’t find what you need, you waste time that you could use for creating your project. Choose a room or a certain table, desk, etc. that you can work on. Once you have it, sort your supplies and label them.
For inspiration for your project, you can look at Pinterest, blogs, etc. Sometimes a great idea for a new jewelry piece will just come into my mind. Although, when it comes to making jewelry, many people get inspired by what they see.
It can be helpful to take a class. Is there something specific you want to learn? Take a class and let an experienced instructor walk you through the process.
Like any other skill, making your own jewelry has a learning curve. The first wire loop you try to create is going to look like a big mess, and that’s okay because the second one will look better and after a lot of tries, you’ll feel like a pro. Don’t let one difficult or failed project ruin your enthusiasm. Keep trying, keep practicing, and remember that all skills take time to develop.
Lastly, try to take risks. Don’t be intimidated to try a particular skill because you think it looks or sounds very difficult. So many people are scared to take risks, but with the right tools and a lot practice, they’re amazed at what they can do. It’s important to try not to limit yourself to a certain style, color, or size of jewelry. Play around with your supplies, and try new things.