So the decision has been made. Whether it is an exciting hobby or a potential career, you have decided jewellery making is for you. You have made the decision on the type of jewellery you intend to produce and have gathered together the correct materials and tools. You are about to make unique, handmade pieces. But how do you actually get started? Below are some suggestions to point you in the right direction.
The internet is always a good place to begin. You could start by selecting books from many of the beginners guide available in your chosen area of jewellery making. If buying them proves too costly, try visiting your local library which would give you a chance to browse through before actually purchasing. Particularly if you are interested in setting up your own business, joining a course would be a sensible choice. City and Guilds run many courses throughout the country so it is just a case of finding one close to you. Log on to cityandguilds.com and see what they have to offer. There are many advantages to joining a course You will gain practical support on the job from qualified instructors. E-learning support and online assessment is also available. You will end up with a City and Guilds qualification which is widely respected and an asset to any CV.
If you have decided that you cannot spare the time to attend a course or else you wish to keep your jewellery making strictly as a hobby, you need only surf across the many internet sites which offer step-by-step guides to basic tasks such as beading. DIY jewellery sets are also widely available which should enable you to get started following simple instructions with very little outlay in terms of cost. It would also help to take a window shopping trip to the many jewellers in your area. No harm in copying styles until your develop the skills required to produce your very own creations.
As you progress, you could well find that what began as a sideline has developed into a fruitful business – or did you just end up doing it for fun anyway?