July 12, 2019 / How To

Beginner Jewelry Making Projects

We have compiled a list of 8 great beginner jewelry making projects! From wire working and assembly to basic metalsmithing and soldering, here are some great ideas to start making jewelry at home. ...

If you are interested in jewelry making but are new to the craft it can be intimidating to know where to begin. To get you started we have compiled a list of 8 great beginner jewelry making ideas!

Jewelry Making is a popular crafting hobby. Many people learn to create jewelry in their homes and eventually develop their skills to start a small business. Whether you are interested in wire wrapping, assembly or learning how to solder we have some tips and ideas for you. Browse the options below to find the perfect beginner jewelry making project!

This first group of projects requires basic hand tools like jewelry pliers, cutters, and files. You will also need forming mandrels. But, you can often use hard cylindrical household items to get started. Try items like dowel rods, markers, or spice jars. These are easy projects to help you get started with beginner jewelry making. But, you will learn that these skills can fuel hundreds of different creative projects for years of jewelry making. 

Beginner Jewelry Making Projects with Basic Hand Tools

beaded wire hoop earring making kit inspiration

Make Beaded Wire Hoop Earrings

This kit contains all the materials you need to make wire hoop earrings embellished with beads using wire wrapping techniques. It is a great way to get familiar with your basic tools. You will also learn how it feels to manipulate silver wire to form basic round shapes. Visit the wire hoop earring making kit page for an instructional video.

beaded bracelet kit inspiration

Make Beaded Bracelets

Beading techniques teach you how to create patterns and securely finish your jewelry pieces. Go to our bracelet beading kit page to watch the video and learn more about how to make a beaded bracelet.

Cuff bracelet making inspiration

Make Cuff Bracelets

Use basic metalsmithing techniques such as filing, forming, texturing and finishing to create a cuff bracelet. Learn step-by-step how to make silver cuff bracelets in our tutorial article.

close up of hands stamping metal charms

Make Personalized Stamped Jewelry

You will need a few additional tools to learn jewelry stamping techniques. A brass hammer, a nylon or rawhide hammer, a metal bench block and a set of metal stamps will be enough to get you started. Then you will use your basic jewelry pliers to attach stamped charms or links to chains or beadwork with jump rings

Beginner Jewelry Making Projects with Soldering

After trying wire wrapping, beading, assembly, and metal stamping techniques; some hobbyists become curious about metalsmithing. The next set of projects will require additional fabrication tools and soldering supplies. Each project below will introduce beginner jewelry making techniques in the studio.

Bangle bracelet making kit inspiration

Make Bangle Bracelets

Making bangles is often the first metalsmithing project that people tackle with a soldering torch. It is a quick, simple technique you can start in an afternoon. Our bangle bracelet making kit has all the materials you need to make several bracelets and practice your skills. 

post earring making kit inspiration

Make Post Earrings

Learn how to solder delicate earring posts to soldering ornament design elements. Post earrings are affordable and easy to make. Buy our post earring making kit and visit the product page for a tutorial video.

ring making kit inspiration

Make Rings with Stone Settings

Our ring making kit is a good beginner project to start making rings from basic wire and mill materials. This kit also helps you to learn how to solder settings in place on ring bands to create beautiful stacking rings set with sparkly cubic zirconia.

Soldering pattern wire to make rings inspiration

Soldering Pattern Wire For Rings

Create stacking rings by learning how to shape, solder and finish sterling silver pattern wire. Metalsmiths love the creative possibilities of pattern wire and gallery wire materials. This project is a great introduction to a new world of designs.

Be sure to visit the Halstead YouTube Channel to keep learning beginner jewelry making!

Written By: Hilary Halstead Scott
Hilary Halstead Scott is the President of Halstead, a wholesale jewelry supply company in Northern Arizona. She is the second generation of Halsteads to own and operate the business. Hilary has an MBA in Marketing and a Masters of International Business.