Jewellery Making 101

I've been learning how to create jewellery and it's been great fun! There have been many mistakes - too many to count, but great successes too.

I love jewellery - big, bold, chunky necklaces and bracelets made with glass beads and polished natural stones. My designs incorporate vintage beads that I have lovingly harvested from fine old pieces that had seen better days.

I had the most difficulty learning to make the little loop at the end of a headpin. I could not believe how many little headpins went in the garbage. I studied other handcrafted jewellery to see if their little loops were "perfect" and discovered they are not! So, my need to be perfect had to be set aside to let my relaxed, creative self appear. Once I got over the need for absolutely perfect loops, the jewellery making became fun instead of stressful.

I have much to learn and practice but so far I'm really enjoying hunting for beads and setting about making a one-of-a-kind original piece.

Next on my learning curve: Wire Wrapping

I'm pretty proud of my blue moonglow bracelet and earrings. I have some gorgeous glass necklaces made from vintage glass ready to be listed!