Learn How To Crimp
Making jewelry involves many different techniques that you will learn as you go along, learning how to make simple beaded anklet doesn’t take to much knowledge. It is when you are wanting to make more complex pieces of jewelry that you need to learn more complicated methods of jewelry making. Knowing your jewelry making tools, their proper usage and how to maintain them will help you become a better jeweler and make intricate designs.
Crimping is the process of securing your wire to a clasp or creating a stop for a bead on wire. When beading jewelry you will use the crimping skill all the time. The best part about this beading skill is that it is very easy to learn.
Step 1. Thread the wire through the crimp tube, through the ring on the clasp
Step 2. Thread the wire back through the crimp tube beading crimping instructions
Step 3. Lay the crimp tube on the back portion of the crimping pliers
Step 4. Close the crimping pliers to squeeze the crimp tube flat beading crimping instructions
Step 5. Lay the flattened crimp tube on its side in the front space of the pliers
Step 6. Close the crimping pliers again to squeeze the crimp tube in half again beading crimping instructions
You can cover a crimped bead with a crimp cover. This gives the illusion of another bead instead of seeing flattened metal. You can also find crimp beads that have a loop already on them. So instead of looping the wire through the clasp, you would crimp you wire, and cover the crimp bead with the crimp cover. Use a jump ring to hook the crimp cover and clasp together.
Once you have mastered this technique there are so many others that you can learn. The more time you put into how to improve craftsmanship the more likely you are of establishing a profitable business. The simpler jewelry items like button bracelets will not bring you much of a profit, so if you are looking for jewelry making to become a business you have to invest in some knowledge. There are many places online that you can find tutorials on various techniques that will improve your skills.
Most of the basic jewelry items are taught free of charge, once you get into the more complex designs you will find that you will have to pay a one off fee for the tutorial or some sites will offer a monthly subscription to their tutorials. As a member you will be able to view all the tutorials. Depending on the time that you have to dedicate to your craft will determine which option you choose. Subscribing for a full month may not be worth your while if you only have a few hours a week to spare. On the other hand if you have lots of time to spare, a monthly subscription would work out better that paying for an individual tutorial as you can learn much more in the month.
Happy Beading!
Jennifer Thoden shares her love of beads and creativity with beginner beaders and jewelry designers. Her love of color and unique design shows in her bead patterns. Find her bead patterns and tutorials at http://www.beadpatternsonline.com