STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

subwolley · Kate Spade

Who Makes Jewelry?

kmd · Kate Spade

It is what I do for a living! Feel free to email me at kelly AT kellymeekerdesigns.com if you have some questions about how to do some things or whatever. :)

subwolley · Kate Spade

Kmd, nice site! You have some very pretty pieces.

I guess my question is: How do I get started? There are a couple bead supply stores here, and I'm sure some other shops I'm not aware of yet...but I figured I should visit these places and see if there's anything that I can vision making something with. I guess I could just look for anything I could make jewelry out off..maybe hit thift stores and remake old jewelry.

I really like natural stones such as turquoise, onyx, agate, etc. I also like vintage jewelry...any thing that has a 70's or 80's feel.

Here are some examples of jewelry styles I like:

I like the stone, and the long necklace style:

Bracelet:

Turquoise:

Anyway, these are just examples of jewelry I feel that I could do on my own.

Also, is there a tool kit for beginners that I should get?

-- Edited by subwolley at 15:44, 2008-09-30

kmd · Kate Spade

From what you're telling (and showing) me, I'd recommend getting a 'beginning wire wrapping' book, which should be available at any bead store in your area.

I'd also start with cheap-o metal to practice with!

With a book for that, you'd be able to do the last two easily! Well, maybe not so easy to most people, but it's what I do.
Wire wrapping a cabachon like in the first picture is a lot more time consuming and difficult. And, if you wanted to get into casting metal (it looks like that's what they did), you def should take a class!

Check out this site for tutorials (some are free): http://enioken.com/jewelry/lessons.html

I don't know about actual tool kits, but if you're going to be doing wire wrapping of any kind, you'll need:
flat nose pliers
round nose pliers
bent nose pliers
wire cutters
and, if you're going to do actual stringing, I'd recommend crimping pliers, as well.

You can get all of those things at http://www.artbeads.com, as well some stones.
Since I deal with higher end stones, I don't really get my stones there, but it's a really good place to start.
They also have a wide selection of glass, crystal, and pearls. Plus all different sorts of findings to get you started. I find their prices to be really reasonable, consider it's not technically a wholesale site.
I just discovered they also have a wire-working book section! http://www.artbeads.com/wireworking-books.html

Hope that helps you out a bit!

Oh, and some other places to get beads, etc. you might like:
http://www.firemountaingems.com
http://www.shipwreckbeads.com
http://www.rings-things.com
http://www.beadaholique.com

subwolley · Kate Spade

KMD thank you! That helps a lot! I'll be looking at the sites you posted! :o)

kmd · Kate Spade

You're welcome! :)