JEWELRY
JOANN’S FIELD GUIDE
NAME
JEWELRY
A. INTRODUCTION
B. JEWELRY TECHNIQUES
C. TOOLS & SUPPLIES
Tools
Findings
Beads
Other Supplies
D. MEASUREMENTS
E. BIRTHSTONES
Introduction
Hi there! Welcome to JOANN’s Field Guide to
Jewelry Making.
If you picked this up, you must be interested in
making one-of-a-kind pieces to wear yourself or give
as gifts. Just getting started? Lucky for you, we’ve
got lots of tips!
For specific projects and inspiration, make sure
to visit [Link]/projects. But if you need some
basic information to get started, you’ve got the right
guide in your hands. After reading through this
information, you’ll be able to select the right tools
and supplies for the type of jewelry you want to
make and learn some techniques to get started.
If you’ve been bitten by the jewelry-making bug,
check out the classes we offer at [Link]/classes.
As always, we can hardly wait to see what you make.
Share with us! #handmadewithjoann
Jewelry Techniques
Simple stringing—Good for beginners, the easiest
stringing projects use stretch cord and beads. String
beads onto a cord, tie a knot to finish and trim off any
excess. Bracelets, chokers and necklaces are simple
and popular projects.
Bead weaving—Off-loom bead weaving is a
technique by which seed beads are woven
together into a flat fabric, a tubular rope or a three-
dimensional object. A single needle and thread is
used for nearly all projects, with different stitches
producing pieces of distinct textures, shapes and
patterns.
Bead embroidery—Bead embroidery is a kind of
bead work that uses a needle and thread to stitch
beads onto finished fabric, suede or leather. Usually,
bead embroidery is used on clothing and decorative
textiles, but it can be used on jewelry with supports
like bracelet bands and leather cuffs.
Wire jewelry—Wire wrapping is one of the oldest
techniques for creating handmade jewelry. Jewelry
wire and wire-like findings (head pins, eye pins
or various rings) are used to make components.
These components are then connected to
one another without soldering to create rings,
pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and hair
jewelry.
Macramé—Learn a few simple knots — reverse lark’s
head, half knots, square knots, half-hitch knots — and
you can create bracelets, chokers, necklaces and
other wearable art.
Metal stamping—A bench block, a hammer,
some dies and a piece of metal to stamp — that’s
all you need to get started. Stamp on practically
anything metal — a coin, spoon, a little scrap piece
or small, thin bar. Metal stamping can be done on
any soft metal such as brass, copper, nickel silver,
pewter, aluminum, gold or silver. Create necklaces,
bracelets, key fobs, place cards, bookmarks and
more.
Tools & Supplies
With some basic tools and supplies for jewelry and
beading projects, you can create items that range
from wildly artistic to elegantly classy and anywhere
in between. No matter your style, these are some
jewelry and beading tools and accessories that will
help you:
TOOLS
Flush cutters—Used to trim head pins, eye pins and
beading wire with a flat, even cut in tight places.
Chain-nose pliers—Used for opening and closing
jump rings or for gripping wire and components in
tight or difficult angles.
Curved chain nose pliers—The bent tip allows access
into difficult areas without blocking your line of
vision.
Flat-nose pliers—Used to hold beads and make
sharp bends and right angles in soft wire. Also
straightens bent wire.
Crimping pliers—Used with crimp beads or crimp
tubes to secure a clasp on the end of beading wire
or to keep beads in position on projects.
Wire cutters—Used to cut headpins, eyepins and
jewelry stringing wire. Always put the flat side of
the cutters closest to the work for a closer cut.
Do not use to cut memory wire as it will ruin your
cutters.
Memory wire cutters—used specifically for memory
wire.
Round nose pliers—used to make simple loops and
other rounded wire elements.
Ruler or tape measure
Strong adhesive, like E-6000
FINDINGS
What are jewelry findings, and why do you need
them? A jewelry finding is any component that
isn’t a bead, stone or stringing material. They’re
the pieces that help you assemble your jewelry
like rings, beads, chains, connectors and clasps.
And they’re called “findings” because ages ago,
jewelers had to make each piece by hand from
leftover bits of metal, or “found” scraps.
Rings and Connectors
Eye Pins Head Pins Jump Rings Double Rings/
Split Rings
Eye pins & head pins are short lengths of wire that
turn beads into a dangle, while jump rings and split
rings link components together.
Special Findings
Spacer Bars Pendant Bails End Bars Bead Caps
Chain Extensions
Bead caps reduce bead holes to prevent head
pins from slipping through; end bars and spacer
bars are key to the construction of multi-strand
necklaces; bails help pendants and charms lie flat
against the wearer.
Earring Components
Fish Hook Kidney Wire Lever Back Ear Post
with Nut
Hoops Ear Clips
Crimps and Ends
Crimp Beads Bead Cones Cord Ends End Crimps
and Tubes
Bead cones and cord ends are used to secure and
enclose the ends of strands of jewelry while Crimp
findings secure ends and beads of various stringing
material. Crimping pliers and/or regular pliers are
used to squeeze them into place.
Clasps & Fasteners
Spring-Rings Lobster Barrel Magnetic
Specialty Clasps
Toggles S-Hooks Trailer Hitch
BEADS
Bugles—Bugle beads are thin tubular-shaped
glass beads manufactured in lengths from 2 to 35
millimeters and a width of 1 to 2 millimeters. Bugle
beads are threaded into jewelry and can be used to
great effect in cascading style necklaces.
Chatons & Rivoli--A shape of bead that consists of
two short wide cones stuck together at their bases
(like a flying saucer). In other words, they are round
and come to a point in front and back. They do not
have holes, so to incorporate one into jewelry, you
need to have a setting for it — usually a bezel setting
is used.
Czech glass bead—Made in the Czech Republic,
these glass beads are formed by pressing heated
glass into a mold.
Crystals—A material used by adding small amounts
of lead oxide to molten glass in order to change
its properties. Crystal glass has a higher density
and increased light refraction, creating brilliant
sparkling effects when cut.
Delica (Miyuki)—A variety of seed bead that is small
and perfectly cylindrical, so they easily snap into
place in peyote stitch and brick stitch beadweaving.
They also have large holes for their size, making it
easier to pass multiple strands of thread through
each bead.
Faceted—A less expensive alternative to hand-cut
glass or crystal, these beads are faceted with a
grinding wheel.
Flatbacks (rhinestones)—These crystals have a
faceted face on one side and a flatback on the
opposite side, usually with a foil backing. This acts
like a mirror so the light passes through the crystal
glass and is reflected from the foil backing, giving
the crystal a sparkly, diamond-like appearance.
Gemstones—Semi-precious gemstone beads come
in natural, enhanced, or man-made reconstructed
materials. There are different shapes including
smooth, chips, nuggets and irregular shaped
stones.
Pearls—saltwater or freshwater cultured pearls
made into beads. Natural pearls are usually pink,
peach or mauve in color, while white pearls are
usually an off white or creamy color. They can also
come in glass.
Rondelles—A shape of bead that looks round and
slightly flattened.
Rocaille/seed—Available in an array of colors,
finishes and styles, they are most often used in
bead weaving, loomwork, stitched bead work and
as spacer beads in stringing projects. Commonly
sold in size 15, smallest, to size 3, largest.
OTHER SUPPLIES
Bead stopper—A bead stopper is a piece of tightly
coiled metal wire that resembles a spring. On each
end, there are loops that you squeeze toward each
other to separate the coils of the stopper, enabling
you to slide in a beading wire or thread. This holds
the beads securely in place while you work.
Bead organizer—Just as the name implies – a handy
way to organize a collection of various beads,
making it easier to work more efficiently.
Bead board—Allows you to lay out and manipulate
how a finished jewelry design will look before
stringing. Typically U-shaped for designing
necklaces.
Bead loom—Weaving beads with a loom is a
traditional Native American art form that allows you
to create beautiful designs using a standard warp
and weft technique.
Beading needles—Longer than standard sewing
needles, beading needles are often used for off-
loom work. A size 10 needle will thread seed beads.
Big eye and twisted wire needles can be used for
stringing beads onto thicker cords and fibers.
Reclosable Beading Bags—Keep track of any small
craft supplies, particularly beads. Clear plastic bags
make it easy to see what you have – and realize what
you may need.
Stringing Materials
When it comes to wire, remember the smaller the
number, the larger the wire. Below is a wire gauge
size chart for visual reference:
10 20
12 22
14 24
16 26
18 28
Thinner wire (34-26 gauge wire = 0.16mm-0.40mm)
is best used for wire knitting & wire twisting and fits
through smaller beads. Medium gauge wire (24-22
gauge wire = 0.51mm-0.64mm) is good for wire
crafts and general use (including wire wrapping
beads and stones). Larger gauge wire (20-18 gauge
= 0.81mm-1.02mm) is great for making jewelry,
findings, wire wrapping beads & stones, ear wires
and will fit through larger beads.
There are many other different kinds of stringing
materials such as:
• Beading thread • Hemp & leather cords
• Stretch cord • Memory wire
• Monofilament
Choose the type that’s best depending on the type
of jewelry you’re making and the style you want
to achieve. For instance, monofilament is strong
with no give, but tends to become oddly shaped
if finished pieces aren’t carefully stored. On the
other hand, stretch cord and memory wire have
elastic properties and keep their shape better.
Hemp and leather cording are attractive enough
to be incorporated into your jewelry designs while
other kinds of stringing materials aren’t meant to be
shown.
Measurements
Take measurements before crafting pieces for
others so you can be confident that the piece you
create will fit perfectly. Note that necklace lengths
vary greatly by style.
Project Plus
Women Men Kids Baby
type sizes
Necklace 17”–35+” 20” 18”–36” 12”–14” 10”–12”
Choker 14”–16” 18” 17”–19” 8”–10” N/A
Bracelet 7”–7 ½” 8”–11” 8” 5 ½”–6 ½” 3 ½”–5”
Anklet 9”–9 ½” 11”–14” 10”–10 ½” 7”–8” 4”–4 ½”
Necklace length
(by inches)
14-16 Choker 12-13 Collar
17-19 Princess
20
Matinee
24 28
Opera
34
35+ Rope
16154643 FREE