Jewelry Making: 8 Must Have Items

When you are first getting into jewelry making, the jewelry findings aisles at your local hobby store can seem like the proverbial candy store. Before you go too crazy buying every shiny thing there is on offer there, why not use this check list to figure out what you might really need?

Pliers
These come in several sizes, as well as bent, round or straight, but you need at least one pair of pliers if you will be doing any amount of work with wire. There are specialty pliers, but just a plain straight pair is fine and will do most of the same work as the specialty pairs. If you make a lot of bead dangles or otherwise make a lot of wire loops, invest in round nose, too. If you can find a pliers/cutter combo, that's great, otherwise, you will also need Cutters, either flush or side cut.

Jump Rings
These rings are multiple-purpose and as you begin to make more elaborate pieces you will find they are more than just simple connectors. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, and you would do well to try to get an ample selection.

Head Pins
These little findings look like straight pins, the kind used in sewing, with the sharp points cut off. They are used for making bead dangles, connectors, and can also be cut down and turned into jump rings. They are available plain or with decorative ends.

Findings Kit
These kits come in many sizes, so you should choose the one that suits your jewelry making frequency. If you make items once a month, get a small box. If you make items every week or more, get a medium or large. These kits should have everything from earring hooks to broach backs and will probably also contain a small selection of plain head pins and a few jump rings.

Beads
This may seem obvious, but don't just buy one kind. Get a good variety, with a lot of color and size variance. Make sure you have at least some with holes the heads of the head pins won't slip through, which are large enough also to not go through beads with larger holes.

Bead Board
This is made for measuring, designing and storing pieces.

Bead/Finding Organizer Box
Get one with lots of small cubby holes. If you can find one with removable boxes, those are best.