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I'm new to the exciting world of jewellery making, wondering if anyone had any general advice for me regarding what I should be doing; what should i read, what basic tools I need, essential bits/findings/bullion, should i attend a course, buy a dvd, visit any specific sites? :)
I'm a little stuck - any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
I'd say it very much depended on what you wanted to make jewellery wise?
For instance I could say a Bangle Mandrel is essential (for me) but you may not want to make bangles.
There's a very basic kit on Cooksons website for all you need to get you soldering which I will be ordering when I get paid. It looks ideal for getting started in basic silver jewellery.
If you're making rings a mandrel is always essential and start out with some sheet, some wire and some simple things like D wire to make simple rings and bangles perhaps.
Hi Adele
Like the other person said it does really depend on the kind of jewellery you hope to make....ie silver, beaded, metal clay etc as they would all need pretty much a whole different set of tools and skills.
A great general book that I would recommend for is 'Jewellery Making Manual' by Sylvia Wicks. There is also the Lark books '500' series which are really good for inspiration.
There are loads of courses available at local colleges etc or you could try one to one with an experienced jeweller (this is what I chose to do and found it perfect for me). You can find out details of course through 'floodlight'.
Hi it does depend on what type of jewellery you want to make. I started about 20 years ago. I went to the local electricians and got old electrical cable striped off the plastic started making spirals etc. As for tools you really don't need a lot not to begin with anyway. Even after 20 years I really do not have a lot of specialized tools. I am totally self-taught and probably bend all rules of jewelry making, in my book there is no right or wrong just go for what you like and feels right for you. Good luck just be creative.
I like your philosophy Myke...it makes me feel a whole lot better about some of the unconventional things I get up to - in the jewellery making line!!
I have bought very few tools and try to improvise and/or make what I can - following Tim Mccreight's example in his 'Working with Precious Metal Clay' book!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solunar Silver Studio
Me too. My old jewellery school were all "Do it our way or you'll never amount to anything"
Swines :(
When i bought my tools from cookson i remember seeing a "Student Starter Kit" ???
"You tube" have loads of tutorials. I learned a lot from watching someone else do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by adele
Blokes tend to have tools galore lying around unused, and if they (the tools!) are in good nick and clean they may be pressed into service for jewellery making.
You'll probably need to bend stuff - there are lots of pliers out there
You may need to cut stuff - side cutters ( a bit like pliers again) will come in useful.You may need to hold things while you work on them - I have a variety of clamps, vices and engineers hand vices that I use.
Drills and Saws come in handy - but the ones for Jewellery work tend to be a bit specialised. Sharp knives can remove metal, but small files are perhaps better. For heating stuff up I often use a Cooks Torch.
But as there are so many different types of jewellery, go to any craft fayre and show an interest to the stall holders. Most will be more than happy to chat about what they do and how they do it.
Hi Adele
I am a newbie too :~: I posted a thread last week similiar to yours and received some great advice, so thought I would post the links for you to see if they are helpful to you :)
http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/new...ce-please.html
http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/new...ls-thread.html
Also in the beginners tool thread is a couple of lists of what tools are required, and also info on the Cooksons student starter kit and solder kit, they do look very good value for money :Y:
Hope that helps.
Mich xxx
In the 'New To Jewellery - First Timers Forum' there is a thread about what beginners tools to get. (Sorry not sure how to add the link)
And somewhere on here (I can't find it right now) there is a thread about all of the books - the 'pro's' have found useful.
This is how I have started and I have found that you really do need to focus and decide what aspect of jewellery making you want to do and then stick with it for a while otherwise it gets expensive and confusing!!
P.s Reading the stuff on here has been a huge resource and the people not only very helpful but very friendly too.
This is one of the threads with book recommendations on - http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/jew...bookshelf.html
When you want to link to a thread Michelle - first find the thread!! - then I just copy and paste the url from the address bar into the post you are writing...the clever bit of software then turns it into a lovely blue link!! (If you can find the thread in the 'listings' then you can just right click on the title of the thread - select copy link location from the dropdown menu and then right click and paste onto your post.) If you want to just include one particular post by someone right click on the permalink number on the blue bar above the post you want to link to and 'copy link location' from the drop down menu...then click and paste onto your message box....again it will magically turn into a link when you preview your post or actually post it. Well - that 's how I do it anyway - and it seems to work!!;)
Thanks Barbara.
I was just about to add the link to the other thread I mentioned in beginners tools but I must have been typing the same time as Tigerlilly before because I see she has added the link.
Great minds hey Michelle :cheers: xxQuote:
Originally Posted by shelliem
I did attend a jewellery class and learnt alot so I do think its a good way to go and if its not for you then it isn't too much money wasted. I went to a place in Banbury called the 'Mill Arts Centre and it cost about £7.00 per lesson (2 hours) and it went on for 10 weeks. I did actually go for about 6 terms but I am so glad I did.
There are some good books out there but I prefer being shown in person I think you learn better.