Bead jewelry making is one way you can spend your idle time, and you can make some for yourself or a token for friends or family. You can do it as explained below.
You are in a mall and taking a close look at some interesting trinkets and colorful bead jewelries and you say to yourself "this is very simple and I can easily do this". Not only would this hobby give you the chance to give some beautiful and unique gifts to you family, it would also be a chance to bring out your creative genius!
The first step would be to find a good local bead shop. Scanning magazines and going on line will help and you are advised to do so, but if there is a bead shop within easy reach, the people there can give you practical advice and suggestions. Ideally, this store would also offer a number of beginners' classes that would help you learn basic techniques (if there is no bead shop in your town, some introductory books such as The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading will have to do).
Start with a simple project, such as a bracelet or basic necklace, and do not go overboard with expensive beads and findings (clasps, hooks, etc.). Swarovski crystal, etc., are expensive so it will be better if you use such kind of materials when you have gained the experience and competence. To make the learning process easier, you should have a starter set which you can buy from bead stores; this should include a beading board, tools, basic materials plus a guide book.
First on your check list should be your beading space or a work room, with plenty of lights of course. It should be well lit because you will be handling small items. Make sure you have plenty of containers to keep different types and colors of beads separate - nothing will spoil your joy of beading like having to hunt for a single bead in a jumbled pile. Beading stores will sell you various storage systems (including beading bags for the beader-on-the-go), but you can also experiment with inexpensive plastic containers meant to hold small hardware or fishing tackle.
Well, there you are ready for your first bead jewelry project! Another thing - keep intruders away from your work area. One last advise, beading is fun so let your imagination run!
You are in a mall and taking a close look at some interesting trinkets and colorful bead jewelries and you say to yourself "this is very simple and I can easily do this". Not only would this hobby give you the chance to give some beautiful and unique gifts to you family, it would also be a chance to bring out your creative genius!
The first step would be to find a good local bead shop. Scanning magazines and going on line will help and you are advised to do so, but if there is a bead shop within easy reach, the people there can give you practical advice and suggestions. Ideally, this store would also offer a number of beginners' classes that would help you learn basic techniques (if there is no bead shop in your town, some introductory books such as The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading will have to do).
Start with a simple project, such as a bracelet or basic necklace, and do not go overboard with expensive beads and findings (clasps, hooks, etc.). Swarovski crystal, etc., are expensive so it will be better if you use such kind of materials when you have gained the experience and competence. To make the learning process easier, you should have a starter set which you can buy from bead stores; this should include a beading board, tools, basic materials plus a guide book.
First on your check list should be your beading space or a work room, with plenty of lights of course. It should be well lit because you will be handling small items. Make sure you have plenty of containers to keep different types and colors of beads separate - nothing will spoil your joy of beading like having to hunt for a single bead in a jumbled pile. Beading stores will sell you various storage systems (including beading bags for the beader-on-the-go), but you can also experiment with inexpensive plastic containers meant to hold small hardware or fishing tackle.
Well, there you are ready for your first bead jewelry project! Another thing - keep intruders away from your work area. One last advise, beading is fun so let your imagination run!