I’m working on a couple pieces for my boyfriend’s mother for Christmas and I was just wondering if any of you make jewelry?
I mainly work with gemstones, glass beads/Swarovski and metal. I’m not particularly into bead stitching but I have so much respect for people that can do it. I’ve taken a dip into wire work but so far haven’t had the patience for it. I’d also like to try metal work.
Anybody else?
Me! I love doing it. You pick your own colors and your own designs. I’d say I’m an advanced student but still could stand to learn a bit more. I don’t use Svarovski stuff at all - I think it’s kinda overpriced. Glass beads and necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, mostly.
I don’t but I have a sister who has been a hobbyist goldsmith for something like 30 years.
I do freeform beadweaving. Here’s a set of pieces I just finished.
I don’t use brand name Swarovski that much, only when someone requests it. There are a lot of beautiful glass crystal beads that look exactly the same for much less.
Gorgeous! I love the color scheme. I’m envious of people who have the stamina for bead weaving 
Here’s the last thing I made that I took pictures of; it’s just basic stringing, I made it for a friend’s birthday. I always forget to take pictures before giving them away. This is turquoise, carnelian and tiger’s eye.
Since I retired I have taken up jewelry making. Self taught from books, TV, and websites. I don’t do anything fancy or expensive. Mostly earrings, necklaces and bracelets. I shop at Michaels craft store and eBay. I think I like making earrings the most. They’re easy and fun. I give away everything I make (I’m a man so there’s not much I can make for myself anyway.) And I learned how to make friendship bracelets from our own Mangetout. He has a tutorial on www.instructables.com
One other hobby, woodworking, came in handy when I started with the jewelry because, as you probably know, beads, charms, chains, cord, wire, findings, and tools have a way of taking over your entire house till it looks like something out of a reality show. So I built an eleven drawer chest to contain it all and guess what? Yep. It’s full! I just gotta stop buying things because they’re shiny.
In addition to jewelry I also make soap (melt & pour) and various concoctions in my kitchen. I spent the whole day today making bath salts and scrubs, body lotion, massage oils and lip balms. Getting ready for Christmas!
Someone’s just crafty all around
I’m jealous of those that get gifts from you for Christmas!
I’m also a hobbyist. Here’s a Pinterest board of things I made over the summer. For Christmas I made bookmarks for my office.
Feckafree, that is gorgeous!
Post pics, people! I love to see what other people are doing.
These are fantastic!! I hope you don’t mind, I’m getting inspiration from your board.
Thanks Pie. And of course I don’t mind. Why do you think I want people to post pics? Inspiration. Plus, I love seeing what other people think up.
I find jewelry making is one of the few crafts I am good at. I try everything but I do best at this one.
Here’s a set I made, and sadly I lost one of the earrings
Earrings
Necklace
That’s my model, Amy I’m doing her bridal jewelry in a couple months
Wire-wrapping and chain maille – two things that make my head hurt. You do great stuff!
Pie, those are really sweet! So delicate.
I would love to try chain maille but I worry it would just frustrate me. I think chain maille with crystals is the perfect mix of contemporary and elegance.
I’ve been beading since high school, although I haven’t been very productive recently. I have some pictures of my recent-ish projects online at http://picasaweb.google.com/lemonlibrarian/
My progression has been the reverse of what I think is the norm; I started out doing seed bead work (when I was young and had lots of time/not much money) and now do more single strand necklaces (since I am older and have plenty of money/less time).
How pretty, Pie. Maille frustrated me for a looooong time. A lot of my problem was I didn’t understand aspect ratio (the relationship between the thickness of the ring and the hole in the middle).
I still can’t do some of the fancier patterns. Once I learn Byzantine I’ll be good to go!
Edited to add Love this!
I love this one; Chevron Amethyst is so beautiful. I also like the spiral rope necklaces. I think that design is just so cool looking.
I’m jealous of your photography skills. Even when I have IMHO a pretty cool piece, I haven’t had much luck doing anything creative with the photos.
I do a LOT of spiral ropes because once you have the skill down they go pretty fast and look a lot better than most techniques that go fast.
Ladies you keep me humble. You have all done such beautiful work! Very creative. And like Biggirl says, seeing what others do is inspirational.
I’d like to learn chain maille too but I get a headache just looking at the instructions. Sorry I don’t have any photos posted anywhere but if the world doesn’t end tomorrow I’ll look into that Pinterest thing and see if I can put something up.