Beads

(SRM116 pattern pendant 10*15mm mounting wholesale)

Nothing beats sitting back, relaxing, and doing some virtual shopping with a big, thick jewelry supply catalog. While most suppliers these days have extensive web catalogs as well, the kinetic, tactual nature of paper is something I still find hard to compare to the point and click of a computer. If you aren’t sure which vendors offer hardcopy catalogs, then the first place to check is their website. Those who do have them often have a way to order them on-line. For a long list of suppliers and links to their sites, take a look at my Jewelry Supplies category.
Recently, I received two catalogs from a few vendors who could be called “catalog kings,” Fire Mountain Gems and Beads and Rio Grande. Both suppliers are sort of famous for their full-color catalogs that list a huge assortment of jewelry making supplies. Below are a few points I noticed about each as I flipped through their 2004/2005 editions.

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads: I think the coolest thing about this year’s catalog is the fact that it is chalk full of jewelry made by artists from the jewelry making community. Those featured in the catalog are winners from various categories (a total of 17) of their yearly beading contest, and of course, there’s plenty of information in the catalog for those who wish to enter some of their work in next year’s contest. I really enjoyed looking through page after page (the whole catalog is 926 pages!) of unique hand-crafted jewelry. Oh, and yes, the multitude of supplies they sell are great too!

Rio Grande: This company’s latest Gems & Findings catalog is another monster - 723 pages of bead goodies and lost of cool metal supplies like wire, plate, and findings. They also continue to expand their PMC section. One section I always find the most interesting is the “last-minute additions” area of the catalog, which is right up front. There’s always a lot of really unique items there, from beads to metal components, that are so new they didn’t make it into the other parts of the catalog. This time around, I found myself drooling over some yummy faceted carnelian beads.

Both of these catalogs are a must have if you even just occasionally make jewelry. So, if you haven’t received your updated catalog yet, make sure you get on their websites or call them up so you can get your new catalog right away.

Knowing what jewelry making supplies you need is an important part of jewelry making. Your personality will have a lot to do with with what you purchase and store. I tend to buy everything at once, and feel that I have to have lot's of components in order to have the freedom to create - this process gets expensive-. My friend Susan is more organized and she plans each piece and the materials she needs. There is no right or wrong, only personality and budget.

Another aspect to consider when thinking materials, jewelry making supplies and equipment is the type of designs you make. When you are beading, you will need certain basics that are different from the items you will stock when involved in metal-clay or metalsmith.

My hope is to start a series of articles about jewelry supplies and best places to buy them. This firs article will give you a more general idea of the basic materials to have available. Then I will dedicate articles to the different areas of jewelry making.

The first place to learn more about jewelry making, tools and techniques is in a class. Today, there are many places to learn the art of making jewelry, including classes at local community centers, colleges and universities, and art schools. As you become more familiar with the techniques and processes involved in jewelry making, your personal jewelry making style will develop.

Jewelry Making Supplies

In addition to a collection of jewelry making tools you will also need a variety of Jewelry making supplies to design your creations.

Beads: I stock up on these wonderful gems. There are many types, sizes, and colors of beads are available, you can find them in your local bead shop, the internet, or jewelry shows. Choose the types of beads you like best, whether gemstone, glass, clay, pearl, etc. .

Findings: Important items to have in hand – they are things like jump rings, ear hooks, and clasps. They come in different kinds of designs and metals.
Stringing material: The stringing material you choose will depend on the project you are making. For necklaces, you can buy nylon thread and coated beading wire in a variety of colors. .

Wire. If you are making wire wrap jewelry, you will need wire to work with. Wire comes in different sizes, shapes, colors, types of metals, and hardness. .

Metal-clay safe findings: These are fine silver findings that you can use with metal clay. They are fire resistant. .

Metal-clay: A basic variety of metal-clay components, such as; lump, syringe, paste, etc.

Metals: I keep a variety of gauges of sterling silver metal. I also like to have some metal that h/b>as been textured. Another material that I always have in my shop is a bi-metal sheet of 22K gold over sterling silver. .

Solder: I keep a good healthy stock of this basic component. You can never have enough solder. .

Here is a list of some of the supply stores I use on a regular basis:

Rio Grande: I buy my metal and solder, as well as many tools from them. Their service is fast and they have a wonderful learning department. You can always talk to someone when you have a question. .

Metalliferous: I love this place, their selection is incredible. Their textured sterling silver sheet is extensive. Their service is high quality , and they ship your order promptly. .

Paternak Findings: This Company is based in Tel Aviv, they have a unique variety of findings, components and jewelry making supplies. I use their sterling silver ornaments in my designs. They have a fast turn around service and an easy on-line ordering process. .

www.pasternakfindings.com

Cool Tools: The owner Marlene usually answers the phone, talk about service. Their metal-clay products are extensive and you can find unique components and tools that are developed by them. My experience with them has always been incredibly positive and they go out of the way to help you.

Whole lotta whimsy: is another supply place I visit and buy from. They have unique tools and components and their tutorials are great! .

Artbeads: I buy many of my findings from them. They offer a great selection of components, findings and beads. The best part….Free Shipping! .

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads: Extensive supply catalog, they ship fast and they have an incredible learning center with tutorials. For a beginner they learning center, is a great place to start.

Most of the beads and pearls I use have been purchased at shows. There is something special about selecting what you want. I have developed an extensive list of suppliers I visit at the different shows.

Let’s not forget you local bead shops. They have some basic items that you can buy from them. Subscribe to their e-mail info list, that way you can know of their specials.

Many bead shops offer discount for wholesale buyers. Ask them before you start shopping. Most important get to know the people that works there. They have a wealth of information that they are willing to share.

This is just a partial list and it is not meant as a promotional article or to be exclusive of other jewelry making supplies stores available. My hope is just to give you an overall look. I will continue to share other places in the near future.

In the mean time, if you have a favorite jewelry supplies store, please share it with us.

Jewelry findings are small tools and materials used in making a variety of jewelry pieces and unique masterpieces. An ear finding is also commonly referred to as ear wires. An ear finding is the jewelry making tool that is used to attach a decorative earring body to the ear. Read on to learn how to use ear findings in jewelry making.
Step 1
Shop for a supplier. Look for ear findings at your local craft store, bead depot or online at a jewelry supply site.

Step 2
Check out the variety of metals in ear findings. They come in gold, gold-filled, sterling silver or copper wire.

Step 3
Review the many shapes, sizes and patterns. Chose an ear finding to make earrings that are creative and an original work of art.

Step 4
Chose an earring body design or simply attach the earring parts to the ear wire.

Step 5
Try making your own earring body using a spiral maker to twist and create a unique earring body.

Step 6
Select beads, jewels or stones to be mounted in the earring body.

Step 7
Attach beads, jewels or stones to the earring body. Attach accordingly dependent upon the earring body you chose. You may need to use blue, loops or other forms of jewelry attachments.

Step 8
Finish the earring body and then attach the earring body to the ear wire you have selected.

Step 9
Wear your earrings with your favorite matching outfit or give them as a gift.

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