Division Essay
Last year I was introduced to something that was a bit
foreign to me. I was introduced to the art of making jewelry. I didn’t think
that I would have interest in beading a necklace or burning fabic to make a
flower to adorn some jewels on a chain, but after a few projects, I was hooked.
The process of making jewelry can be tricky, it requires some creativity and
patients, lots of patients.
You first have to think of an idea, whether it is based on
natural elements around you, something off the runway, or something you saw at
the store. Once you have a concept in mind, a design and colors, you have to
determine what materials you need. This is important, as you are likely going to
have to visit multiple stores to acquire the materials necessary to get
started.
Once you have determined what your design, colors, and
materials will be then you get to visit all the craft and beading stores to
pick out your supplies. The trick is finding your supplies on sale, usually if
you plan it right, you can get your materials half off and then use coupons,
making your project not just fun but budget friendly as well.
Now that you have all the materials and your design in mind,
you must determine the length of the wire being used or chain, based on the
design. If you have a pendant, you must place that on the wire and make sure
that it hangs correctly. I tend to use multiple pieces of beading wire to make
sure that the necklace is sturdy.
Once I have my pendant on the beading wire, I
choose a few different types of beads and make a pattern for each strand on the
necklace.
It is important to constantly hold the wire in your hands
tightly or the beads will slide right off and in my experience roll right onto
the floor. It’s easy to get frustrated, but I usually use those moments as an
opportunity to rethink my design. It’s important to make sure that you are
using beads that won’t be too heavy, that the weight of the beads will not
shift the placement of the pendant, and that your beads are not going to
constantly shift as you wear the necklace.
Once you have beaded your necklace, you put crimp beads on
the wire and wrap the wire around the jump ring that is attached to clasp. The
opposite side will be wrapped around the jump ring attached to the clasp on the
other side. Once you have done this, your necklace is complete. I always give
the necklace a few tugs to make sure that it is sturdy. If you have determined
that it is sturdy, you have then completed your first jewelry project.
