In a 2020 report, in the custom jewelry category, 38 percent of respondents reported an increase in custom jewelry sales compared to 2019.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, making jewelry was a great way to have fun and de-stress inside during the lockdowns. Making jewelry is a relaxing hobby, it’s so soothing as you string each bead to create your own unique pieces.
Whether you’re keeping it for yourself, giving it as a gift, or selling it online, DIY jewelry is in demand more than ever. You can buy a pre-made jewelry kit or you can make your own.
If you’re just starting out making jewelry, you’re going to need your own jewelry kit. What’s a jewelry kit? It’s where you keep your jewelry-making supplies, jewelry tools, beads, and other jewelry pieces.
Want to know what you should put in your jewelry kit? We’ll tell you in this guide.
Please keep reading for more information.
Flat Nose Pliers
An essential part of every jewelry kit, flat nose pliers will be one of the most used jewelry tools in your kit. Flat nose pliers have a multitude of uses, including helping to tuck and bend your wire ends and complete your wrapped stones. They are also helpful tools for opening jump rings.
Round Nose Pliers
Round nose pliers are well-suited for smooth curves. If you’re making your own jump rings, hoops, and loops for bracelets and earrings, and clasps, you need a tool that can create a natural circle. This is where round nose pliers will be an all-star of your jewelry kit.
Wire Cutters
You’ll need wire cutters for cutting your jewelry craft wire to the right length. These are especially good to have on hand for any thick gauges of wires that are harder to cut through. Make sure you get a good quality one that can create a clean-cut that won’t fray your wire tips.
Wire
What would a jewelry kit be without one of your most vital jewelry-making supplies, your beading wire? You should stock several gauges (thicknesses) of wire in your jewelry kit for many different jewelry projects.
It is recommended you have 24, 26, 28, and 30. The higher the number, the thinner and finer the wire will be.
Jewelry or craft wire comes in copper and stainless steel. This is usually covered in thin nylon for extra smoothness.
Use high gauge wire for delicate projects and lower-numbered gauges of wire for pieces that will have some weight to them.
Cord
If you prefer to use another medium for making jewelry besides wire, choose cord. Cord is a versatile and sturdy alternative to wire.
Cord comes in bright colors and also more natural earthy tones. It is a fun way to play with texture and style.
Cord is made from nylon, jute, hemp, plastic, faux suede, satin, leather, and faux leather. Keep several styles and types of cord in your jewelry kit to enhance your jewelry-making supplies.
Tweezers
For dealing with small or delicate beads and charms, tweezers are an amazing tool for making jewelry. You can also use tweezers to hold down one end of a length of wire while you string the beads on the other side.
If you need to knot or unknot a section of wire, tweezers are small enough to maneuver into tight spots and help you finish your projects. Tweezers are one of the best multipurpose jewelry tools. Tweezers with a magnifier are two jewelry tools in one.
Earring Findings
If you want to make earrings, you will need earring findings in your jewelry kit. A finding refers to any item used in the production of jewelry making. This includes findings for studs, clip-ons, hooks, and hoops.
For long dangle earrings, you’ll need head pins. These are pre-cut lengths of wire with a flat or decorative bottom or a small loop at one end, called an eye pin. This keeps the beads in place.
With these, you’ll place your beads on it to rest on the head pin at the bottom, and then just bend the top part into a loop that connects to a hook or clip-on earring mount.
There are many colors of earring findings including rose gold, sterling silver, gold, black, and brass. With earring mounts, you can also choose from styles such as lever back, French hook, chandelier, ear screws, kidney, or shepherd’s crook.
Clasps
For bracelets and necklaces, clasps are vital for holding your creations together.
There are traditional lobster clasps for necklaces and bracelets. These are perfect for dressier jewelry pieces. They provide a firm hold.
But another way to finish your jewelry pieces is with a toggle clasp. These will give your jewelry a more modern and eclectic look. Toggle clasps add their own extra layer of embellishment.
Beads
What would making jewelry be without beautiful multicolored assortments of beads? Beads bring color and dimension to all of your projects and no jewelry kit would be complete without them. You can buy individual strands of beads or buy them in sets.
Glass beads, gemstone, acrylic, metal, crystal, stone, wood, resin, plastic, and more. Take your pick, you can’t go wrong.
The more different types, colors, sizes, and styles of beads you have, the bigger the possibilities are for amazing creative projects.
Charms
Charm pieces are wonderful accents for making jewelry that pops and catches the eye. You’ll definitely want to fill your jewelry kit with them.
Go big, bold, and modern with chunkier pieces of gemstones and pendants. Or use small charms as accents. Charms are also ideal for bracelets and even for making jewelry pieces like earrings.
Find Everything You Need For Your Jewelry Kit at Cousin DIY
Making your own jewelry kit is just as fun as it is making jewelry. You can customize however you want with jewelry-making supplies.
With the right jewelry tools and accessories, you’ll be on your way to making beautiful and unique jewelry pieces in no time. DIY jewelry is entertaining and a great creative outlet.
Cousin DIY has everything you need for making jewelry and so much more in stock at low prices. We also carry a wide range of other arts and crafts supplies too. View our range of products on our website today.
Contact Us with any comments, questions, or concerns.