Crafting Jewelry can be a wonderful hobby to pick up. It is not only relaxing, but will let your creative juices flow. Think about the advantages to being able to make a set of earrings and a necklace to match every outfit you wear!

There are many things to consider and many things to research when you are planning to start making your own jewelry. To begin you must get the proper tools and materials.

Tools and Materials
There are many elements that go into making beautiful jewelry. From the creative mind needed to the handheld tools the possibilities for options of design are endless.

When you begin your adventure of making your own jewelry you will need to start with these simple tools:

• Pliers (Having several sizes and types does come in handy for your various projects)
• Tweezers (you will need both straight and bent tweezers, depending on what you are making)
• Mandrels (for making wire wrap jewelry)
• Wire cutters
• Bead Board (to help you lay out your design before you start assembling)
• Clippers (best used with threads when you are beading)

Keep in mind these are just the basic hand held tools needed to get started. If you choose to learn to make fancier, more involved jewelry you may need to expand your tool selection.

The next thing you will need to consider is the proper materials to make your jewelry. Depending on what you are making; earrings, necklace, or bracelets will help determine certain materials and lengths and sizes of those certain materials. The basics you will need are beading wire, thread, elastic string, clasps, and earring posts. There are many different types of beads to choose from when beginning to make your own jewelry:

• Glass beads
• Clay beads
• Metallic beads

The most important thing required to make beautiful home made jewelry is a creative mind! There are endless possibilities when it comes to patterns and bead selections; it all depends on the outfit you will be wearing that evening. So have fun and be creative!