Jewelry Supplies

Many polymer clay artists and hobbyists are also interested in jewelry design. Once you've made a striking focal bead, a unique pendant, or the perfect set of matching or coordinated beads, you'll be eager to make it into something wearable. If you're familiar with jewelry-making, you'll likely already have the tools, findings, and other materials necessary. However, if this is your first jewelry-making venture, you may need a few supplies.

Strictly speaking, the only thing you absolutely must have to make a necklace or bracelet is something on which to string your beads, though most designs require at least a clasp of some sort. Choose your stringing material to be of appropriate strength for the beads you use. Most polymer clay beads are lightweight and don't have sharp edges, so almost any stringing material should support them, but if you add extra beads made of metal or glass, you'll need to consider the strength of your string or cord. Another consideration is the look of the stringing material. If you're filling the entire string with beads, this isn't so much of an issue, but sometimes you may wish to use fewer beads or a single pendant. Choose a material that is not only strong enough to support your beads, but is also an attractive complement to the design.

The list below includes several popular stringing materials:

• Beading thread (silk, nylon, etc.)
• Plastic-coated wire
• Leather or suede cords (real or imitation)
• Lightweight metal cable (often with clear nylon coating)
• Hemp
• Stretchy plastic / Elastic cord
• Memory wire
• Plastic craft lace (generally used for children's crafts with pony beads)
• Lace and ribbon
• Thin, flexible wire
• Fishing line (not as long-lasting as some products)
• Rubber cord / Buna
• Metal chain (jeweler's style)

These are the metal bits in jewelry-the pieces that connect things and hold things together. Many findings can be handmade with wire, but you may find it easier and faster to purchase them ready-made. Base metal findings are available in most craft stores, as are precious metal findings (in more limited variety). Findings may also be purchased on-line or through catalogs.

Below is a list of some basic findings:

• Head pins / Eye pins
• Jump rings / Split rings
• Ear wires / Posts
• Clasps (for necklaces, bracelets)
• Crimp beads / Crimp tubes
• Bead tips
• Bead caps / Bell caps
• Pin backs
• Connectors
• Bails

With a good pair of wire snips and pliers, you can turn a piece of wire into all sorts of useful jewelry findings (jump rings, ear wires, pendant bail) or even make an exquisite wire-wrapped pendant. If you're just starting out in jewelry design, you'll probably want to practice with affordable craft wire, electrical wire, brass wire, or even plastic-coated telephone wire. Later on, you may wish to invest in more valuable wire, such as sterling silver. Wire is available for sale at craft stores and hardware stores, as well as on-line.

When working with wire--  or even just putting together pre-fabricated findings--  you'll find the process much easier and more enjoyable if you have the right tool for the job. Some tools are easily found in the jewelry section of most craft stores. Other tools may have to be ordered or purchased from a shop that specializes in jewelry-making.

Below is a list of just some of the tools jewelry-makers use:

• Beading needle-- thin, sometimes flexible needles made especially for stringing beads
• Wire cutters
• Pliers
  • Round nose pliers--  for making round wire loops
  • Flat nose pliers--  for gripping wire, making right-angle bends in wire, etc.
  • Chain nose pliers--  for gripping and bending wire
  • Bent chain nose pliers--  for bending wire in tight, hard-to-reach spots
  • Crimping pliers--  for securing crimp beads
• Bead reamer--  for smoothing or enlarging bead holes
• Chasing hammer, steel block, etc.--  for wire-working, flattening wire
• Wire-working jig, ring-sizer, wooden dowels--  for wrapping wire, making wire shapes

Non-clay beads often make a lovely complement to your hand-made beads. They're also a quick way to fill the space between larger accent beads. The market is overflowing with beautiful beads of all types. Consider seed beads (of various sizes), other small-to-medium glass beads, wooden beads, acrylic beads, metal beads, bone beads, shell beads, ceramic beads-even semiprecious gemstones. Look for beads in practically any store that carries crafting supplies, specialty bead stores, or on-line.

If you're unfamiliar with basic jewelry-making techniques, you can learn a great deal from a book aimed at beginners. Just look in the craft section of your local bookstore or pay a visit to the library-- a great way to "preview" a book before deciding whether it's worth the purchase. You might also browse beading magazines. Some have projects even a beginner can manage, and near the back of the magazine, there are probably directions for several basic techniques. The Internet is another resource. There are many helpful tutorials available for free, on-line. A little time with a search engine can turn up all sorts of jewelry designs you can practice on or use for inspiration.

Below are a few good places to start:

About: Jewelry Making
Guided by Tammy Powley
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/beginnerscorner/

Fire Mountain Gems: Beading How-To's
http://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/howtos_results.asp?doccat=tutorials

WigJig: Jewelry Making--  What a Beginner Needs to Know
http://www.wigjig.com/beginner.htm

About: Jewelry Craft Projects for Teenagers
Guided by Denise D. Witmer
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/craftsjewel/