10 Jewelry Making Basics Everyone Can Master

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DIY jewelry is an excellent way to showcase your creativity, and the more you make, the more your creativity grows. In order to have a solid understanding of each project, it's important to know the basics of jewelry making. Here are the top ten jewelry project essentials to get you started.

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1. How to Make a Statement Necklace

A statement necklace is full of personality and style. Within seconds, it can transform even the most basic shirt or dress into a Pinterest-worthy ensemble. Creating your own statement necklace allows you to combine elements that represent your unique taste (and it's also a great way to use up leftover materials). The key is to mix and match different textures, such as pearls with faux leather.

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2. How to Make Stud Earrings

Stud earrings require very little time and supplies. Because most stud earrings require the single act of gluing, you can make several pairs in one sitting. Creating different types of stud earrings is the quickest way to cure an itch to craft.

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3. How to Make a Beaded Bracelet

Making a sweet and simple beaded bracelet is the perfect way to get comfortable with jewelry pliers. It also provides excellent practice for working with metal components such as crimp beads, clasps and jump rings.

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4. How to Create Faux Marble

Once upon a time, marble was a trend. These days, it is a design staple. It can be spotted in everything from art to home decor. Luckily, incorporating marble into your jewelry creations can be done at home. With some oven-bake clay and clever kneading techniques, you can create your own faux marble.

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5. How to Create Faux Druzy Stones

Much like marble, glittery druzy stones are here to stay. Characterized by jagged crystals embedded along the stone's surface, druzy adds a touch of mystery to jewelry. You can make your very own "druzy" by combining different types of glitter with decoupage. It's like sparkles for grown-ups.

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6. How to Shorten a Necklace

The best thing about DIY is knowing how to alter an item to your liking. For example, you can shorten a necklace with a standard pair of jewelry pliers. This skill comes in handy if you have a necklace that is too long for your liking. It's also a great way to save a broken or old necklace.

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7. How to Upcycle Materials

Since most jewelry projects only require a few materials, it's easy (and fun) to experiment with unconventional supplies. From plastic fruit packaging to bottle caps, there are so many possibilities around us. Upcycling allows even the most experienced DIYer to exercise their imagination.

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8. How to Make the Most of Leftover Supplies

Once a project is said and done, there are usually leftover materials. Over time, these materials easily accumulate. Instead of letting them go to waste, practice combining them into mixed media pieces. This is an easy way to give your imagination a healthy push by working with what you already have.

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9. How to See the Potential in Everyday Objects

On a daily basis, we interact with countless items. While they may seem worthless or ordinary, they provide a totally new door for inspiration. Here's a tip for encouraging creativity: Ignore the intended function of an object and pay attention to its shape and structure. Something as simple as key rings can be the foundation for a stylish new statement

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10. How to Get Jewelry Making Supplies for Free or Cheap

It's no secret that making DIY projects can get pricey. There are just too many amazing supplies out there. However, learning how to get jewelry making supplies on a budget is one of the best things a DIYer can do. With the right mindset and habits, you can continue making projects on the cheap.

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