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How to Make Your Own Jewelry | Tutorials, Tips & Ideas

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DIY Mixed Media & Fashion Costume Jewelry

If you love to create or you just want to be able to make your own unique and trendy jewelry at home, then I hope this page will inspire you. I'v compiled a list of tutorials for crafting fashion and costume jewelry which only require basic techniques and few tools so that even absolute beginners can accomplish a great result.

The materials used are extremely varied and the project ideas will hopefully inspire you to get creative with your designs - because after all there are so many materials that can be used including fabric, lockets, wire, chain, pearls, clay and paper.

The instructions also cover a wide range of styles, such as bib necklaces, dainty charm bracelets and statement earrings, so you will no doubt be able to find many ideas to suit your personal taste.

Hope you find this lens fun and useful :-)

Long Fabric Necklace

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

Making Your Own Jewelry

An Introduction

Costume jewelry making is accessible to everyone and is a popular and fun hobby. For most projects you will need a pair of jewelry pliers with a flat inside edge, plus general items such as superglue (I use E6000) and scissors. There may be other basic tool requirements on top on that, but usually the DIYs are for completing by beginners at home.

To make your own jewelry means that you can keep up-to-date with fashion trends for much less money, plus you can make accessories that are completely unique to you. If you see a necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings you like in a high street shop then you can use it for inspiration to make your own homemade version.

Costume jewelry is often 'mixed media', meaning that it's made from a combination of different materials such as metal, clay, fabric, plastic etc. There aren't really any rules for what you can and cannot use so it's time to put your creativity and imagination into action!

Long Tassell Earrings

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

Fabric and Mixed Media Jewelry 1

Please bear in mind that the jewellery made using all of these tutorials are for personal, not commercial use. Thanks :-)

Foreign Coin Charm Bracelet

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Fabric and Mixed Media Jewelry 2

Woven Friendship Bracelets

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Click here and here for instructions on weaving your own friendship bracelet.

Photo by MeghanNash.

Fabric and Mixed Media Jewelry 3

Mini Glass Bottle Pendants

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

If you buy a mini glass bottle or vial, you can fill them with gemstones, shells, dried flowers, sand, glitter, beads, sequins or anything else you can think of! You can buy bottles which already have hoops at the top, or you can add your own wire loop.

Scroll to Continue

Photo and necklaces by Waponi.

PVC & Rhinestone Bib

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Fabric and Mixed Media Jewelry 4

Recycled T-Shirt Bracelet

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

Photo and bracelet by KimberCrafts.

Find the instructions for creating a 6-strand braid here.

Fabric and Mixed Media Jewelry 5

Studded Flowers

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

How To Make a Cut-Out Bib Necklace - Fashionable Statement Necklace Project

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

What you will need:

* A piece of 6" x 4.5" pleather, leather or thick (3mm) felt baize in the color of your choice

* A print-out of the template above

You can change the size of the template if you wish - but if you do this remember that you will need more/less leather as a result.

* Length of jewelry chain

To work out how much chain you require, measure a necklace you currently have which you like the length of (in inches). Then take off 5" and split the remaining length in half. For example, if you want an 18" long necklace (which is the most popular length), then you take 5" off to make 13" and you split this in half so you'll end up with two pieces of chain which are 6.5" long each.

* 4 Jump rings (at least 5mm in diameter) that match the chain

* Lobster clasp to match the chain

* Marker pen or chalk

* Cutting mat (or thick cardboard)

* Craft knife (or small scissors)

* Jewelry pliers

* Leather punch tool or awl (useful but not vital)


- Take your printed template and use your craft knife or scissors to carefully cut out all of the white sections, leaving just the black shape.

- Place the template on the back of your piece of pleather/leather/felt material and use your marker pen to go around all of the edges of the template to transfer the design outline to your material. If you are using a dark material you will need a light fabric marker or chalk.

- Cut out the pattern from your material, as you did with the paper.

- Use your leather punch or awl to make 2 holes in your material as marked with white dots on the template. If you don't have these tools, use small scissors.

- Use your jewelry pliers to open a jump ring and feed it through one of these holes and through the end link of one of your chain lengths. Close the jump ring. Do this for each of the two holes.

- At the other ends of your two pieces of chain, attach another jump ring. Join one of these jump rings to your lobster clasp.

- Finished!

Purple & Gold Chain Necklace

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

More Mixed Media Jewellery

Brass Locket Necklace

Adding a locket to a chain makes a lovely and quick piece of jewelry - and if you want to add an embellishment, a cameo attached to the front of a locket looks great.

Adding a locket to a chain makes a lovely and quick piece of jewelry - and if you want to add an embellishment, a cameo attached to the front of a locket looks great.

Floating Rhinestone Necklace

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

This stunning necklace is made by sticking rhinestones onto sheer netting and I love the effect.

Photo and necklace by Natalie Smith - Click here to see many more of these sparkly necklaces, which are all available to buy.

DIY Ring How-Tos and Ideas

DIY Multichain Necklace

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

Creative Jewelry You Can Make Yourself

Leather Lanyard Bracelet

Perfect for guys or gals!

Perfect for guys or gals!

Best Tools & Supplies on Amazon

Here are a selection of handy tools and findings for jewelry making. There are many, many products to choose from in this craft so don't go mad at first - just get the basics and then build up your collection over time :)

Funky Spike Ring

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

Bracelets, Bangles & Brooches

Decorative Ribbon Necklace

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

The charms on this pretty necklace are made from squares of decorative ribbon sewn onto squares of felt.

Photo and necklace by Rozantia - Click here for details.

Useful Jewelry Making Videos - Clay, Leather, Macramé, Resin Jewelry & More

Chunky T-Shirt Necklace

how-to-make-your-own-jewellery-tutorials-tips-techniques-craft

With a few strings of beads running through it to give a bit of sparkle!

Photo and necklace by Show Me Pretty - Click here for the how-to.

Please Comment on my Lens!

Muhammad Adeel from PAKISTAN on August 30, 2016:

Thank you very much for sharing it and keep up your good work. ! http://www.stcjewellery.com/

rudy santayana on October 05, 2015:

Nice lens. If you have some unwanted jewelry, another great I ideas is to, use old diamonds, gold and platinum to make a one-of-a-kind ring. To learn more visit: http://santayana.com/ and click on the custom jewelry tab or just go to http://customjewelrymiami.tumblr.com/. We specialize in this kind of service. I hope this helps.

auralopez1203 on February 11, 2014:

love this lense really great info thanks ;-)

suzyjahi on January 22, 2014:

Awesome Lens very creative!!

Mikarazgriz LM on December 29, 2013:

SO many awesome ideas! Thanks for all these wonderful inspirations. This will keep me busy for a loooong time :)

anonymous on October 12, 2013:

Very useful tips. Thank you

Doc_Holliday on September 13, 2013:

Many useful tips here. Thanks for sharing.

RANADEEP on August 18, 2013:

Very good lense,I was just thinking about gifting some hand-crafted jewellary to my elder sister and your this lense gave me some great insights in it,thank you very much for sharing it and keep up your good work!!

karl-werner-125 on May 27, 2013:

The variety is amazing! I personally like the bracelets.

GrammieOlivia on April 21, 2013:

Wow, this will keep me busy for weeks! Thanks for all the great information.........

Mary Collings from Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland on April 16, 2013:

Wow - so much to make...so little time. I'll be coming back to this one again and again. Thanks for sharing :)

JanaLee LM on February 10, 2013:

Such great tutorials! I'll give it a try to make some cool earrings soon.

Harriet from Indiana on January 14, 2013:

A truly great lens filled with fun jewelry tutorials. Blessings.

NightingalesJewellery on September 29, 2012:

Erm, can i say wow?! What a fantastic Lens and what an absolutely novel concept for bespoke jewellery crafting. I bow to you in admiration, dear. We also craft bespoke jewellery, but in a more conventional manner.

Check out our Lens. But, wow. You are truly a creative enchantress.

funmomofmany on September 22, 2012:

Great ideas. I am just new to the hand made jewelry world, so I can use all the help I can get! Thanks for sharing!!

Nithya Venkat aka Vellur from Dubai on September 16, 2012:

Great lens with lovely art work, thanks for sharing.

anonymous on September 13, 2012:

Nice ideas - helpful lens

Nadin Art Design from USA on September 04, 2012:

I just feel I must comment to say that I like it, thanks!

pimbels lm on August 25, 2012:

Great lens with some awesome tips, thank you.

MartinJM on August 25, 2012:

Nice lens...always good to get some more tips

BeadCatz on August 23, 2012:

Very informative lens. Wonderful for beginners who don't know where to find information.

BlackSunflowerB on July 05, 2012:

Great topic, and very informative links. I like it!

RadaFrancis LM on July 04, 2012:

awesome ideas, thanks

leonasharon on June 29, 2012:

great topic

love ur ideas

please do visit my new lens

http://www.squidoo.com/paint-a-canvas-in-your-own-...

Tea Pixie on June 19, 2012:

You have done great research here. I've been studying, designing, and selling jewellery since before the turn of the century and I learned some tips today while exploring your page. Job well done!

LaurasArtJewelry on June 14, 2012:

Love your lens; it's very informative and helpful :)

anonymous on May 31, 2012:

Lovely lens... The Bunting Necklace is so cute!

biggking lm on May 28, 2012:

does this kinda stuff take hours or days to complete?

anonymous on May 25, 2012:

Very nice!

OfaLahietsy on May 21, 2012:

Great read, thank you for that!

Lorna Jean Aro on May 18, 2012:

super duper amazing! I'll do it!

Lorna Jean Aro on May 18, 2012:

super duper amazing! I'll do it!

Stacy Birch on May 17, 2012:

Thanks for the ideas, great stuff.

anonymous on May 14, 2012:

I like it a lot.

Silverstar2154 on May 06, 2012:

The Firefox necklace was really cute but I can't stop looking at the spike ring. I've never seen anything like it before.

ddebbie on April 25, 2012:

love the firefox one

JoyfulReviewer on April 24, 2012:

Thanks for providing photos of so many different types of jewelry. Thought the Recycled T-Shirt Bracelet was quite unique. You've created another great resource full of helpful tips and videos. ~~Blessed~~

Neysha on April 17, 2012:

great and helpful page I love it I want to make for myself like all of them =D really love it thanx for your lensâ¥

valadams014 on April 17, 2012:

For me, the firefox necklace is the best. Really cool.

dagnyjbarber on April 05, 2012:

Superb Article. Really enjoyed reading this one.We can make designer ring from it.

MindPowerProofs1 on March 23, 2012:

Thank you for the information. Really helpful

anonymous on March 12, 2012:

Great lens! Thanks!

KireinaJeweller1 on March 09, 2012:

This has to be one of the most comprehensive lenses ever! it's all here!

anonymous on March 02, 2012:

Lots of great information about so many different jewelry styles. Something for everyone!

Lauriej1 on February 22, 2012:

Wow! Love all the jewelry!!! :D

mobileboutique lm on February 20, 2012:

Wow! I have more sites now to look at! Thanks!

Leah J. Hileman from East Berlin, PA, USA on February 04, 2012:

You obviously put a lot of work into this lens. Great job! I sell JEWELS BY PARK LANE for a living, but I also like to make my own, especially color-coordinated necklace/earring/bracelet sets with beads and wires/hooks.

woodgems on February 03, 2012:

Too bad you did not have this lens when I started making jewelry a long, long time ago. Great info!

jimmyworldstar on February 02, 2012:

The fabric necklace and the watercolor petal necklace look the simplest and good for what they are. Anything with crafting looks a bit more difficult. I find that handmade jewelry is a lot better and innovative than store bought.

anonymous on January 17, 2012:

thanks for sharing

earingsmania on January 01, 2012:

this was fun making it

jabar11 on December 16, 2011:

My girlfriend will love your lens, she is much into all related with making jewelry.

TopToysForKids on December 14, 2011:

Great lens, you are very talented! Keep up the good work!

WeirdStuff on December 13, 2011:

This is probably the best handcraft lens here on squidoo!

wolfie10 on November 30, 2011:

loved your lens. lots of good ideas to think about

nbrandt123 on November 15, 2011:

Amazing! I'd love to learn this crafts!

anonymous on November 03, 2011:

Very helpful, thank you!

anonymous on October 20, 2011:

nice setup on this jewelry, 'thumbs up' from this reader to you.

diyav22 on October 19, 2011:

gud lens... keep it up

mountainstevo on October 14, 2011:

Great ideas - I may have to try them myself.

BakerBayBeadCo on October 04, 2011:

Leather Chain Necklace is Awesome! Thanks!

meisgood132 on September 18, 2011:

Great information on this lens if you wish to start creating your own jewellery.

productinfo on September 11, 2011:

Great lens.

Patbinc on August 20, 2011:

Very informational lens. Thanks for this great resource, I have always been interested in making jewelry commercially and this lens has given me a great start. Thanks!

AngelDey on August 06, 2011:

Lovely lens. So many ideas. I think I enjoy watching the process more. I have tried making my own jewelry many years ago, but some of these techniques are much more involved than what I did. I am sure to take up the hobby again. Thanks.

laki2lav on July 25, 2011:

you're full of good ideas...great job

Himpex on July 18, 2011:

good video collection if some one want to learn, how to customize jewelry, can learn with videos.

anonymous on July 11, 2011:

Some of the best jewelers can even make a custom piece from just a photo. Or they can let their creativity take the lead and create pieces from their own ideas. You're more likely to find something that speaks directly to you because the designs are more original than mass-produced jewelry. And if you find a particular designer you like, you can keep going back for more pieces to create a cohesive collection of sterling silver jewelry. Once you are done with set of custom made artifacts for you all you need to do is organize them in a jewelry armoire and you are done.

anonymous on July 11, 2011:

Awesome Lens. Must say people who personally like to design jewellery for themselves will love it even more. Loved the piece you showed in video. :) I have pearl ring Which i would like to emboss on my Plain party costume. could you be a help ?

Shanir LM on July 06, 2011:

Great lens, I might try my hand at some of these! :)

Jhangora LM on May 26, 2011:

I love admiring hand made Jewelry. Never tried creating it myself.

FunkyJewelleryUK on May 17, 2011:

Brilliant lens! Very inspiring! Great work :)

vermontmom on May 10, 2011:

Incredibly beautiful, inspiring and instructional.

kathysart on April 12, 2011:

Ahh you make me want to make jewelry more than I did before.. yikes I better get busy!

BestRatedStuff on March 08, 2011:

great lens, good selection and great instructions. thanks

lawrenchalter on January 18, 2011:

The Firefox pendant sounds so cool for me. It is so unique. My cousin is also addicted to making customized accessories. One of her expertise is brass bracelet. She's now teaching her teenage daughter, Mia. Maybe I'll tell Mia about this tutorial since she's still an amateur. When I needed a brass material, I asked my cousin if she knew a supplier. I'm right, she knows a lot, even sheet brass suppliers, because she's been doing this hobby for almost 3 years.

shush lm on December 14, 2010:

Liked! It's great for beginners like me!

Maybe you'd like to some of my Jewelry

deyanis from Oz on November 18, 2010:

Great tutorials and tips. I never made any jewelry before but this lens has inspired me to try to make one.

WinWriter on November 16, 2010:

Those fabric necklaces are cool!

chuckyklost13 on November 01, 2010:

I love making jewelry and this info and video are great help!

findings

scar4 on October 20, 2010:

nice tutorial for making jewelry. I love those pictures. Thumbs up.

anonymous on October 03, 2010:

Wonderful jewelry :)

Margaret Schindel from Massachusetts on October 01, 2010:

A really nice collection of tutorials. Thanks!

Bradshaw LM on September 13, 2010:

I like this. Not only could you make stylish jewelry for yourself, but there's always ebay for an added source of income if you're so inclined. Thumbs up!

babygirl3605 on September 01, 2010:

I do love making jewelry. Thanks for all the great tips. This will help me better my jewelry.

Delia on June 24, 2010:

nice informative lens...I want to make things with my broken necklaces of pearls, jade, coral, turquoise, and crystals...trying to find some unique pattern to use all the colors.

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