Making your own jewelry - part 1 How to make jewelry

Learn how to make a beaded bracelet or necklace -

Using a crimp tube is one of the most basic of all jewelry making techniques.  This procedure is most often used to secure the ends of your jewelry projects by attaching it to a clasp, but it can also be used for other things as well. One good thing is that this is done the same way for a simple handmade bracelet as well as it is for a beautiful multi-strand necklace.

To perform this technique you will need:

Stringing wire - at least 2" longer than your finished bracelet or necklace project

Crimp tubes - 2 ea. (1 for each end of every strand of your completed jewelry project)

Jump rings or clasp - depending on your project's design

Beads - again, depending on your project's design and your taste

Smooth jawed pliers - to 'smash' your crimp tube without marring the finish

As with any new skill, the more you practice, the better you will become.  We often recommend experimenting on a 'test project', (similar to the inexpensive practice kits sold at the Making Jewelry Fun - Store), prior to attempting your jewelry masterpiece. 

STEP 1:

Thread the crimp tube and then the jump ring onto your stringing wire.  The crimp tube is the small relatively flat 'tube' shown closest to the fingers in the photo.

NOTE:  if you are using a toggle clasp, do not use the jump rings. Substitute the toggle for the jump ring.  (Each end of the toggle clasp will have a 'ring' attached to it - use one half of your toggle on this end of your project.) 

STEP 2: 

Loop the wire around and then back through the crimp tube. 

TIP: A good quality stringing wire, such as the type we use in our jewelry making kits, will be flexible and resist kinking.  We feel that using a good stringing wire is the first step to enjoying your jewelry project ... while it is being made, as well as while it is being worn.

STEP 3: 

Slowly, make the wire loop smaller by gently pulling on the long end of your wire. Leave a small amount of 'play' in the loop so that your jump ring can move about freely.

STEP 4: 

Firmly, 'smash' the crimp tube with your smooth jawed pliers.  Be aware that this crimp tube will remain visible on your completed bracelet or necklace project.  You will want it to be smashed flat, but not mangled.

STEP 5:

Test your crimp to make sure that it is secure, by gently pulling on the wire and jump ring.  If there is any slippage, reposition your loop as shown in step #3 and 're-smash' your crimp.

STEP 6: 

Start stringing your beads from the other end of your wire.  Hide the small tail of the wire inside the first few beads that you string.  If this is not possible, clip the tail as close as possible to the crimp.

After you’ve strung your beads, carefully check your project to verify that it is the desired length. (Our library has a real cool tip on checking your bracelet length without spilling your beads)  If your jewelry piece is too long or too short, add or subtract beads as needed. 

It's now time to secure the 'other end' of your bracelet or necklace project.  

STEP 7: 

Repeat steps 1 and 2.  (Thread crimp tube and jump ring on your wire; Loop wire back through crimp tube).  The only difference is that this time, you should thread the tail of the wire back through the crimp tube and the first several beads. 

At this point, it’s OK if there is space between your beads where the wire shows.  Also, remember to keep your loop soft and flexible.  A large loop in the wire is OK.   Just be careful not to kink the wire. 
 

STEP 8:

While holding the jump ring, grasp the tail end of the wire with your pliers and pull the slack out of your piece. 

Check your work to make sure there are no gaps.  If there are, correct the problem and continue to pull the additional slack out of your wire.

Make sure there is still plenty of room for your jump ring to move around.  Do not pull the wire so tight that you loose the flexibility in your strand.  If you think it might be too tight, gently work the crimp tube and tail wire back until your necklace/bracelet is arranged the way you like.

STEP 9: 

If everything is the way you want smash the final crimp with smooth jawed pliers just as we did in step #4.  If the tail wire is sticking out between beads, cut it as close to the bead as possible.  You may now add a clasp (see additional instructions). 

Congratulations!  You’re finished!   and . . ."you made it yourself"!