Lately I’ve been revisiting one of my first loves, jewelry making. It’s so addictive! I have this thing for what Emma and I call “art teacher necklaces,” which are basically just big, quirky statement necklaces. We liken that style to a cross between Ms. Frizzle (from The Magic School Bus) and our mom, who was an art teacher herself while we were growing up.
I’ve been buying supplies like crazy, and it’s feeling really FUN. Hobbies are refreshing like that, you know; they come and they go, and then years later they come back. I love it.
But before I get all crazy, I thought it might be helpful to share a few of the bare bones of jewelry making. Here’s what you need to get started and create your first, simple beaded necklace!
Supplies needed: Beads, bead-stringing wire, wire cutters, needle-nose pliers, bead crimper, crimping beads, chain, and jewelry findings (closures and hoops to finish off your necklaces). You can get a lot more fancy in the future, but this is all you need to get started!
First, use your bead-stringing wire to make as many strings of beads as you like. I did three, but you can start with just one for a single-strand necklace.
Next, use the crimping beads to attach the ends of the three wires to one jump ring on each end. This is super easy—just loop the wire back through two beads (as you see above), and then use your crimping pliers to crimp the beads, flattening them until they permanently hold the two wires together. Then use wire cutters to trim off any excess wire. Repeat that with the end of every wire until all ends are attached to jump rings.
Last, attach chains and closures to your beaded wire using needle-nose pliers. Be sure to measure and make sure your necklace is the length you prefer.
You can wear your new necklace under a collar like this, or with a lower cut top or dress like Emma is.
Once you’ve practiced these basics and you have them down, you’ll instantly know how to make a lot of the jewelry you see in stores! My home ec teacher in high school always said, “Why buy it if you can make it?” I still think of her words when I’m out shopping today.
I think with jewelry it’s really worth it to invest in the basic tools and learn to make it because the possibilities are literally endless. Plus it’s really fun. Jewelry making is a great girls’ night activity with a bottle of wine and friends.
For more DIY jewelry tutorials, click here, here, here, here, or here. 🙂 Let us know if you have any DIY jewelry requests too. We love making these projects! xx. Elsie
Credits// Author and Photography: Elsie Larson. Photos edited with Stella and Jean from The Signature Collection.
43 Comments
This necklace is gorgeous! I used to make jewelry all the time and then I got kind of burnt out on it-this is making want to get back into it though! I love the versatility of this piece too; you could dress it up for a date night or wear it more casually like you guys showed 🙂 You ladies are so talented and I love being inspired by you daily. Thanks for posting!
I love this! And it is SO true that your hobbies come back around. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about jewelry making too. When I was in Jr High and High School, I used to make jewelry that was sold in a local hair salon. It was amazing to know that my pieces were used as bridesmaids gifts and special moment surprises. I’m ready to get back into it 🙂
love love love love love
Such fun texture!
Have a beautiful day!!!
xoxo,
the bbb blogger
I’ve actually been wanting to take up this hobby but really didn’t know where to start. I also didn’t want to just start shelling out money for supplies with no idea what I was doing. This could be a good starting point!
This is great! I actually have some turquoise beads passed down from my mom when she lived in Alaska and have been wanting to do something with, so thanks for the inspiration and know how!
http://www.hollandsreverie.blogspot
Jewelry making is one of my favorite hobbies! Love the color of the beads you used on this one.
Absolutely love this, has inspired me to get my DIY on. Will look amazing on the beach!
Such a cute necklace! Maybe ill have to start a new hobby!
Ooooo! I love this necklace! I will officially be demanding that my craft-machine daughter make me one 🙂
xo
K
So pretty! I love those beads. You are right – with the basic tools there are endless possibilities! How about a bracelet next? I’ve loved quite a few wrap bracelets but not some of the prices!
Shannon
I used to be really into beading and jewelry making when I was younger! Every time my mom would vacuum there would be a horrendous noise of seed beads being slurped up. 🙂 This necklace is gorgeous, turquoise pieces are one of my favorites right now!
LOVE the color of those beads! My Mom makes jewelry in her spare time and she really enjoys it. Good idea on making it into a girls night, can’t wait to see more ideas!
Thanks so much Emily!
It’s so fun how hobbies come back around, huh?
xx- Elsie
Hooray! We can do it together! 🙂
-Elsie
Awesome! You’ll have so much fun!
-Elsie
I love this cute DIY! My mom has all the tools for jewelry making when she went through a phase of constantly making stuff. I haven’t tried it out yet (I’m still scared from the time she used the pliers to try and pull a stuck earring from my ear and then ended up pulling the whole earring through my ear. eek!) but I would love to make something like this! So much cheaper than buying one and it feels better because you made it yourself!
xoxo
Taylor
gorgeous color! love it so much
lifevsstyle.com
really cute, and Emma your hair is on point!
Such a cute necklace! It looks totally store bought, thanks for showing us how you made it! 🙂
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
I like the photos! the frames are a bit different from usual aren’t they?
XOXO
I used to dabble in jewelry making a couple years ago. I was never particularly excellent, but it’s always motivating to have a one-of-a-kind piece in your collection. I really love the turquoise you chose. It’s a bold but versatile color. :] // http://www.itscarmen.com ☼
This is so sweet! Such gorgeous beading and such a simple tutorial! Love it!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I love Emma’s glasses in the last photo! Where are they from?
pretty!!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Thanks for sharing this versatile necklace! It’s so great to see so many other people are into this type of creative hobby/job/interest/etc as well!! I have just recently started to get serious about my beading/jewellery making and as scary and completely exhilarating as it is – I am LOVING it!!
Wonderful!!
Rxx
http://www.peppermintdolly.wordpress.com
They are from Bonlook 🙂 – Jacki
Thanks so much for this DIY! I love these types of necklaces but they always seem to be out of my budget. I’ve been interested in jewelry making lately so this is perfect!
My mother used to make jewelry so this is something that I can relate to. I love this necklace and the fact that you made it! Very pretty, love love love!
-Shay
http://thesparkleeffect.blogspot.com/
I love that you call this an “art teacher necklace.” I am an art teacher who can’t get enough statement necklaces. I think a trip to the bead store is in my future. Thanks for the tips on how to make this one.
Eve
Ms. Frizzle! Ah! What an awesome reference to such a great character from my childhood! I used to make jewelry with my mom. I should get back in to that. 🙂
I love making my own jewellery, I’ve been doing it for years!
http://www.peonyandpeach.blogspot.com
I’ve just discovered jewellery making…it’s so fun! You’re so right about things you see in the shops too, I would love to see more tutorials like this
Beautiful! This necklace is really pretty. I’ve never made a necklace but I’d really like to try it 🙂 Thanks for your tutorials, they’re very helpful!
This looks fun! Back in the day, I used to throw beading parties and I’ve always made jeelry with my daughters. Clever post!
Sincerely,
Laurali Star
I have read your post and I am pretty astonished at your project…
I really like the transformation and the fact, that you have done it yourself.
You have inspired me.
BR,
Renia
love the idea of wearing the necklace over a collar. This is all very j. crew and im not one bit upset about it 😉
I’ve made my share of jewellery too…and if it wasn’t for my newest hobby/obsession (my blog!) I’d probably still find the time to create a new piece every once in a while!! But as you said, dear Elsie, hobbies have a way of resurfacing; so I may yet get out my pliers and silver wire and do a little beading again!!
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com
Could you do a tutorial on how to make photo mugs?? Like the ones they sell on shutterfly (microwave and dishwasher safe!).
I really like this necklace. Granted that I don’t really wear statement necklaces that much but this is one that I might try to make and wear, as long as I have the right outfit for it 🙂
Jewelry making is one of my favorite hobbies as well. The necklace is beautiful!
Getting interesting beads is not easy. I saw african beads that are most interesting, but they are out of my price range. Any suggestions?
I have so much fun making beads…
I am currently working on a basotho blanket with African beads.