DIY Jewelry: What Tools Do I Need to Start Making Jewelry?

It's always best to start with the basics! These are some must have DIY jewelry tools that can get you started. The different tools listed here are the different types of jewelry supplies that you will be using for almost every, if not all of the, different handmade jewelry pieces you will be crafting. 

Must Have Jewelry Tools

1. Wire cutters - for all your wire cutting needs
2. Round nose pliers - used for bending wire and making loops
3. Flat nose pliers - great for opening and closing jump rings, the flat pointed tip makes it easier to get into smaller spaces
4. Crimping pliers - used for crimping metal or wire
5. Assorted ear wires - used as the back to your earring
6. Assorted clasps - used for connecting to ends of a DIY bracelet or necklace
7. Assorted head pins and eye pins - used for creating connectors
8. Strong adhesive - used for glueing

Once you have completely mastered the basics, it is going to be very difficult not to move on to more challenging projects. Keep in mind that when you take the step from beginner to advanced that you might need to invest in some more jewelry making tools.

Specialty Jewelry Supplies

1. Beading board - this can help you measure and estimate the different lengths of your jewelry projects
2. Memory wire shears - these are specifically used for memory wire to keep from ruining your other wire cutters
3. Metal hole punch - for when you need to punch holes in metal
4. Anvil - used for flattening out metal or providing texture to metal
5. Bead or pearl reamer - used for enlarging holes in beads or smoothing out their texture
6. Wire pin vise - used for curling metal more smoothly
7. Metal stamping tool - used to stamp different designs on metal

Beads can also easily become a major necessity when it comes to jewelry making, especially if you start to particularly fancy beaded jewelry. There are certain beads that are a good staple to have just in case you're looking to dabble in the art of beading.

Basic Bead Guide 

1. Acrylic beads - any type of bead that is made of plastic
2. Bugle beads - similar to seed beads these are most commonly used in bead weaving
3. Crystal/rhinestone beads - these are extremely shiny beads that are often used to add sparkle
4. Pearls - there are freshwater pearls that come in an assortment of colors and coated glass pearls that are coated different shades of white
5. Seed Beads - most often used for bead weaving
6. Spacer beads - used inbetween different types of beads to make them stand out