Do you ever get tired of an old routine? Are you looking for a new hobby? Do you like beautiful jewelry? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ll be sure to enjoy this blog! Today, you will be able to get a jump start on your new hobby of designing homemade pieces of jewelry. Welcome back to Lonnie’s Custom Jewelers Blog! This blog is going talk about the jewelry making tools that are essential to creating beautiful pieces.

Starter Kit – Jewelry Making Tools You’ll Need

Wire Cutters

Wire cutters are a very important part of this starter kit! Wire cutters are used for doing exactly as their name claims– cutting wires. There are different thicknesses of wires, so you’ll want to get a good, reliable pair of cutters in order to be confident they will work with any sized wire you have.

Purchasing a little bit more expensive pair will save you money in the long run. Since you will be using these a lot, the chances of cheaper quality ones wearing down are much higher. So, you are better off getting a pricier pair that will last you years rather than an inexpensive pair that will need replacement more frequently.

Flat Nose Pliers

Flat nose pliers, will be one of your most used tools. These can perform a ton of different functions in jewelry making. Flat nose pliers are good for gripping the jewelry and holding it in place. Also, they can open and close jump and split rings.

These pliers might come with grooves on the inside, but this is not the most suggested option to purchase. Because of the roughness, these might mark up or leave an indentation on your jewelry. Be sure to buy some that are smooth on the inside in order to prevent this from occurring.

Round Nose Pliers

When looking at some hand-crafted jewelry, you might wonder how they made the little circles so perfect and identical. Here’s your answer: round nose pliers! The difference between round nose and flat nose pliers is the shape of the jaw. The round nose pliers are cylindrical, which get slimmer as you move away from the handle. This allows you to have many loop sizes from thick to thin.

In order to create pieces that are symmetrical, it is suggested to leave a little mark on your tool to see the exact size of your last loop. This way you will be able to easily replicate it without having to just “eyeball” it.

Chain Nose Pliers

If you can’t tell already, pliers are very important jewelry making tools. Some people like certain types of pliers over others, but it’s really all up to you and your preferences. Since there are a few to choose from, you could test them all out and see what your favorite is!

Chain nose pliers can be viewed as a combination of both flat and round nose pliers. The key difference is the shape of the jaw on these tools. As mentioned above, flat nose pliers are flat both on the inside and on the outside while round nose pliers are round all throughout. Chain nose pliers are rounded on the outside but flat on the inside.

Bead Stoppers

If you plan on stringing beads to make necklaces, bracelets, and more, then you will want to purchase some bead stoppers. Keeping your beads in place can take a very long time and be frustrating if they get displaced. Bead stoppers are the best way to cut down on time and perfectly place your beads. Check out this article for more information on bead stoppers and their function.

Trial Materials

If you are a newbie trying to get the hang of this craft, it is recommended to have practice materials. Rather than starting off with silver or gold, begin with a metal that is a little cheaper. Some alternative options could be copper or brass wires. Once you are confident in your work, you could spend more money on those other valuable metals.

This hobby is something that might not come naturally, so practice is key. It is important to stay positive even if you are struggling. New things don’t always come easy, so stick with it and see the progress you make!

If you’re looking for something to do in your downtime, jewelry making is definitely a creative but somewhat time-consuming craft. Although, you might not have the time to pick up this hobby– not to worry because Lonnie’s is here for you! We can customize jewelry to match the ideas of your dreams.  Contact us if you have a vision in mind and we will make it come true!