Any jewelry makers here?

[AllegroRondo]

My wife got me started on it last year, and since then its taken over the living room. I must have made 2 dozen necklaces and bracelets for this year's family Christmas presents.
Next up, learning to make my own beads.

[1monster]

1. I've done beading in the past, but find I have very little time for it

now. It's not portable enough to take to school with me.

I sold a few, but gave most away.

Try using super sculpy to make your first beads. It comes in all colors and can be formed into almost any shape that you are capable of making.

[AllegroRondo]

2. Does that need to be baked?

and can you do that in a conventional oven, or would I need a kiln?

[Lindsay]

3. Polymer clay (Sculpey is one brand among many)

can be cured in a home oven, or a toaster oven.

My current favorite craft material...a mind-bogglingly versatile medium.

[calimary]

7. Mine, too. I call it the "people's clay" because you do not need a kiln

or heat cranked up to 17-hundred some-odd degrees. The hottest you go is 275 degrees, and a toaster oven is perfect. Just one thing to remember: DO NOT use that toaster oven for anything other than polymer clay. It must never touch food again. I have one in my little art studio room at home.

Sculpey and Premo are my faves. There is a place called The Clay Factory - based in Escondido, California, from which you can order polymer ANYTHING. Marie and Howard Segal run it and are as friendly and helpful as can be. They've been at it for years and are widely respected in the polymer clay world.

Dear God, but I LOVE polymer clay! It is SO versatile. You can do caning techniques a la Venetian glass OR semi-precious stone simulations. I must have a dozen different "recipes" just for turquoise! And then, of course, there's sculpting et al. You can do photo transfers, molds, all kinds of stuff. Wait til you start experimenting with textures - you can roll a small lump of clay along some carved or textured surface (my favorite is this carved wooden box from a local import store) that leaves you with a bead that is reminiscent of cinnabar. Just poke a hole and you're good to go!

BTW - when baking, make sure you bake on a piece of paper or cardboard - I prefer grocery bag paper myself. The oven temperature is not high enough to burn the paper (remember "Fahrenheit 451"?) and has a neutral, matte effect on the clay. By contrast, if you set your beads on the bare oven tray, the surface where they came in contact with the metal tray will be shiny - having picked up the slick metal "texture."

There are thousands of ways to experiment with this wonderful stuff! I like to point out that - in one evening's time, you can have any kind of personal adornment you want!

[ellie]

4. I make bead jewelry.

I wanted to take a metalsmithing class at the Toledo Museum of Art this past January, but couldn't afford it. I am going to try and take it in the spring or fall, if it is offered. I haven't sold anything because I am not confident of the quality of my work and I tend to move from project to project as soon as I am finished. I don't know how I would do working under a deadline.

[catchnrelease]

5. Just starting

I just got some great beads and plan to make a few necklaces for myself, and use some for decorating gourds. I prefer the African Trade beads, and fell in love with some Serpentine beads in green and brown. Got the Serpentine in several shapes/sizes and plan to mix on one necklace, so will be laying that out tomorrow I hope. I've been picturing it in my head for days, so guess I better go for it now.

Tonight I ordered a copy of The Bead Directory, which sounds/looks really good for a newbie. I have a fear that buying beads may be like buying fabric.....you end up collecting more than you can ever use!

[calimary]

6. Welcome to DU!

Sounds yummy! I love the Bead Directory. And yes, you will fall in head-first.

BTW - there is NO SUCH THING as too many beads!

[cassiepriam]

8. I know, the containers of beads just grow and grow, running out of closet space. :(

I am wanting to learn wire working.

[cassiepriam]

9. Best wholesale prices on gemstone beads?

The kind of things I make require only gemstones, so I am looking
for the best prices. I do have a vendor's license.

[Morgana LaFey]

12. We use Rings & Things

http://www.rings-things.com/

Great shows, if you can find one near you.

[cassiepriam]

13. Many thanks, can't wait to check it out! nt

[pecwae]

10. Me. me-holds up hand

I used to have a booth when I lived in the mountains. I had other items I make, but jewelry was a big part. Now I just create for gifts and myself. It's mainly beading, but I'm giving wire sculpture a go.

I found it easy to go overboard. I must have four toolboxes full of supplies and I can rarely pass up deals on components.

Have fun with it!

[AllegroRondo]

11. I tend to stock up when there are sales

and buy beads and findings that stike my eye, then worry about what to make with them later. Then, when the monthly beading magazines come in, I can take the patterns that look interesting and get right to them with the beads I have.

I've only got one toolbox so far....

[eridani]

14. Very addictive, yes

Collections of stuff keep growing, all because of that rat in my drawer (another thread).

My basement workshop is too cold for polymer clay in the winter, so will wait for spring. I'm getting better with wires, and am using leather, paper, wood, found objects, etc, as well as regular beads.

[undergroundpanther]

15. I is

One..I love working with beads and casting my own pendants.