January 14, 2008
Pearl (Perlen) Jewelry Making Tools
Jewelry Making Tools are Essential to the Craft
Pearl Jewelry making is quite a popular hobby that is not only very interesting, but one that is an outlet for creative expression for millions of hobbyists across the globe. When it is time to embark, you will need to stock up on supplies and materials that will be used for the type of pieces you plan on creating. Also, you will find that you will need some jewelry making tools that will enable you to properly put all of the pieces together.
When you are just starting out and making your first items of jewelry, it is best to stick to the basic supplies and tools. Later, as you gain more experience, you will begin to refine your ideas, as to what kind of jewelry you prefer to make. At that stage, it makes sense to perhaps invest more time and money in your jewelry making supplies that you want to have on hand, which can also help to reduce the number of trips you have to make to craft supply store.
There are a few jewelry making tools that should be included in every jewelry hobbyist's toolkit. These are basic and fairly inexpensive and include the bent nose and chain nose tools, a flush cutter and a set of pliers with a round nose. Many times these tools, and others, are included in some of the jewelry making kits that are available.
Along with the various tools, you will also need some basic supplies. Jewelry wire is a popular material that many beginners and experienced jewelry makers use extensively. It is available in a number of different metals, which vary greatly in cost depending on how precious the particular metal is. Copper, brass, silver, silver-plated, gold, gold-plated and gold-filled wires are the most common types and are normally included in a beginner's kit. Of course, all of these wires, as well as others, can be purchased separately, as needed for your projects. The common gauge weight of jewelry wire is 16, 18, 20 and 22. The 24 and 26 gauge is also used, but not as often.
Findings are another important part of jewelry making. The findings are the components of a piece of jewelry that are generally considered the finishing touches, such as the clasps that are used on Pearl (Perlen) necklaces or bracelets, or the ear wires and posts that are used to fashion earrings. Without the findings and the proper tools to attach them, many jewelry projects would be impossible to complete.
The most important jewelry making tools that are needed for the basics of jewelry making are readily available at your local craft store, in the jewelry making supplies section. You will also be able to locate these tools online at internet sites that have jewelry tool supplies. Other than the tools that have already been listed, you may also want to buy a chasing hammer, a bench block or an anvil and special pliers for loop closing purposes.