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Home > Jewelry Design Learning Center > Articles - Beading & Jewelry Design

Beading Articles

Browse our beading articles, offering tips, ideas, techniques and information on how to make and sell your beaded jewelry designs. Making jewelry is a process just like everything else. The more you work on it the better you will get. Hopefully these helpful readings will speed along this process and help transition you to the next level, whether you are a beginner or an advanced beader.

Feel free to use these articles on your site or blog. We only ask that you please link back to the source.
 
I have been doing a lot of research lately concerning the routine enhancements of gemstones and how they are graded.  The most common grades are Imperial, Fine, A, AA, AAA, A+ , B, Very Good and Gem; we strive ...
 
If you’re new to beading, you may have found yourself confused by the many choices of crimp beads and various crimping tools.  Crimp beads themselves differ in size and material, while crimping tools ...
 
When I first started beading, I didn’t really understand the difference between sterling silver and silver plated beads and findings (except that one cost more than the other).  Since I was just starting out, I used plated ...
 
Because we carry so much turquoise in so many different shapes, sizes, and colors, we often get asked about its composition.  What exactly is turquoise and how is it made?  How is it colored, and will the color fade or bleed?  Admittedly...
 
Safety First! What Lead Is and How It Is Classified
Recently, it seems as though everyone has become concerned with lead levels in beads and jewelry. I often get asked about the levels of lead content in everything from Chinese crystal to Swarovski...
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Getting to Know Seed Beads
It’s amazing how many different types of seed beads there are. Different sizes, shapes, colors and finishes- it can get be rather confusing. Yet, it’s important for a beader to understand the differences between the many types of seed beads...
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Selling Your Work Without Selling Yourself Short
You pour so much into every piece you make that sometimes it is hard to let your jewelry go. Other times, you just don’t know what a reasonable person would pay for your creativity, imagination and—yes—your blood, sweat and tears...
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Showing Off: How to Have a Great Jewelry Show
I remember the first time I ever did a home show. I hadn’t been beading for very long and had just been experimenting with different materials and techniques. Mostly, I was just making pieces to go with...
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That’s My Style… And I’m Stickin’ To It!
I am one of those people. You know the kind: if I find a pair of shoes I love, I will buy them in every possible color. Same thing with jeans, T-shirts, tank tops—you name it! I am also that way with beads...
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I believe you can be successful in most any business venture if you have the passion.  Owning your own jewelry making business requires flexibility, energy, and a belief in yourself and your product that will carry you...
 
Starting a business can be a fun and exciting adventure.  It can also be overwhelming, as you attempt to find your niche and manage your cash flow.  To help guide you through the stages, our experienced design team...
 
If you are doing a home show, I suggest that you have at least 2 dozen sets of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Then you will need another 2 dozen varied earrings and 2 dozen varied bracelets. This is really the...
 
Ever think that a Beading Retreat is just what you and your fellow beading friends need to get a away for a while? We've had that idea, too, and so we've compiled some great ideas for planning the best Beading...
 
Looking to start your own Beading Society or Beading Club in your area?  Here are some of the steps they followed to get off the ground and amass the best and most avid beaders in their areas....
 
Been There, Done That
In my last blog, I talked about the roots of what can only be described as a lifelong beading adventure. Having been a beader off and on for about 15 years now (and having more money...
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Tools of the Trade
When I first started beading, I am afraid to admit, I didn’t invest in any kind of beading tools. I just used common household tools to get the job done. Now that I have been beading for a while...
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