Jewelry has been one of the most treasured forms of self-expression for more than 25,000 years. And what better way to lean in to that self-expression than by learning how to make jewelry of your own? Here, you’ll find jewelry making inspiration and everything you need to get started!
21 Unique DIY Jewelry Ideas
- Beaded Memory Wire Bracelet
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 hour
Memory bracelets are extra-personal: Add meaningful pendants or charms within the beads, and you’ll always have that memory or reminder of your loved one nearby.
- Etched Copper Cuff
Difficulty: Advanced
Time Estimate: 2 hours
This fun project will allow you to try your hand at metal work as well as jewelry making. Learn how to clean and prep your metal, transfer your message onto the surface, and clean the bracelet to preserve your etching.
- Leather Earrings
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 hour
These lightweight feather earrings work just as well for a festival as they do for the office, and they’re a great project for beginners. Cut and shape your leather, add additional details with a bit of chain, and affix your creations to earring backings for wearing or gifting.
- Clay Earrings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Grab a few colors of clay, and you’ll have what you need to create an endless array of bold, creative DIY jewelry. Don’t be intimidated by these patterns: Skillshare instructor Kiley Bennett will take you through each step of crafting your clay pieces and attaching them to your jewelry hardware.
- Dangling Bead Statement Necklace
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 hour
This statement necklace is a great project for DIY jewelry beginners because it requires only one technique: attaching beads to a chain. Grab several types of beads (or the pre-made kit linked in the class), and you’ll have a necklace you’ll be wearing in no time!
- Statement Bracelet
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 30 minutes
This is a quick and easy jewelry making project with a big payoff! All you need to create this incredible statement bracelet is wire, pliers, measuring tape for sizing, and about 30 minutes.
- Silver Stacking Rings
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 Hour
When it comes to stacking rings, the more the better, which means the price can add up. So rather than buying them, make your own! You will need a solderer for this project, and Skillshare instructor Joanne Tinley will show you how to use it to shape and close your rings.
- Tassel Earrings
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 hour
If you have a bit of ribbon laying around, you can easily make these fun tassel earrings. Skillshare instructor Adaobi Obiefuna will teach you how to cut and fray your ribbon and then add beads to finish your earrings.
- Pressed Flower Jewelry
Difficulty: Advanced
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Resin is a popular tool for making jewelry, and if you’re new to working with this material, this class is a good start. Jewelry artist Nina C. will show you how to find ideal plants for jewelry, set them in resin, and construct your pressed flower jewelry—whether you opt for earrings or a want to learn how to make a bracelet!
- DIY Spoon Pendant
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Who knew you could repurpose household items for DIY jewelry? Skillshare instructor Tatiana Ambrose will teach you how to create a spoon pendant and decorate it with beads and other items.
- Dream Catcher Necklace
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 45 minutes
If you love dreamcatchers, create this pendant that you can wear as a necklace.
- Silver Chain Link Bracelet
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Estimate: 1 hour
If you’re up for a project that’s a bit more complex, make this beaded bracelet. The lesson will walk you step-by-step through how to manipulate wire to create fun loops and curves, how to add beads, and how to complete your bracelet so that it’s ready to wear.
- Wire Wrapped Pendant Necklace
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 Hour
Wire wrapping is a popular DIY jewelry technique that anyone can master. Follow along as Skillshare instructor Rachel Truax shows you how to select pendant pieces, how to wrap and twist the wire around your pendant, and how to secure your pendant to your chain.
- Hanging Metal Earrings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Estimate: 1 hour
Once you learn how to pierce metal, your options for creating cool DIY jewelry are truly endless. This lesson will show you how to create these metal pendants and also how to secure them onto earring hooks for wear.
- Sweetheart Ring
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 hour
If rings (and romance) are your style, you’ll love this heart-shaped sweetheart ring project. Skillshare instructor Chris V. of Octopus Connection will show you how to shape your ring and add the finishing touches.
- Friendship Bracelet
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 hour
Indulge your nostalgia by making a friendship bracelet for a few of your pals—all you need is a few simple materials and about an hour!
- Floral Clay Necklace
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 2 hours
If you like the look of clay necklaces but haven’t worked with polymers before, fear not—this project is beginner-friendly! You’ll learn how to work with clay to design beautiful pendants and also how to preserve them for long-term enjoyment and wear.
- Dangle Planner Charms
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Estimate: 2 hours
When it comes to unique jewelry ideas, this project tops the list. These dangle charms are perfect for hanging on your planner or from your purse or bag.
- Crochet Earrings
Difficulty: Advanced
Time Estimate: 2-3 hours
You’ll need to know how to crochet for this DIY jewelry project, but these intricate floral dangle earrings look next-level professional.
- Lariat Necklaces
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Lariat necklaces, though often associated with cowboys and Western wear, are versatile pieces that can complement anyone’s style. Learn to make your own Y-shaped, choker style, and scarf style lariats.
- Wirework Necklace
Difficulty: Beginner
Time Estimate: 1 hour
Wirework is a huge part of jewelry making, and Skillshare instructors Jennifer and Kitty O’Neil can help you sharpen your skills by teaching you to find design inspiration, choose your materials, and marry them together to create a necklace.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need for Jewelry Making
Basic jewelry making requires a few simple tools. As you expand your skills, you may choose to purchase additional items and materials, but here’s a short list of what you need to get started:
- Pliers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Embroidery needle
- Caliper
- Beads and pendants
- Wire or cord
- Clasps and o-rings
There are several different types of pliers that you’ll want to use for making DIY jewelry. First, you’ll need wire cutter pliers, which are sharp enough to cut wire and chain. Needle nose pliers—which Skillshare instructor and founder and CEO of Brit + Co Brit Morin calls “workhorse pliers”—are used for opening o-rings and holding beads and smaller adornments in place as you work. Flat nose pliers are best for crimping and closing cord ends—you’ll use these to finish your pieces. Finally, you’ll need round nose pliers for creating loops and bends in your wires. You can purchase most of these pliers online or in your local hardware store for about $5 each.
In addition to pliers, you’ll also need a sharp, study pair of scissors, measuring tape, and an embroidery needle. You can pick these items up pretty inexpensively either online or at your local shops.
For the jewelry itself, you need beads and pendants of your choosing, wire or cord upon which to “string” your adornments, metal clasps and o-rings, and a caliper—a tool for measuring beads that is especially useful when planning your jewelry projects. You can purchase all of these items online or at your local craft store. Beads, pendants, wire, and cord pricing will depend upon the materials of which they consist, but you can get “the basics” from most retailers for about $20. Calipers range in price from about $10 to $50 and most beginners can get by with a basic model.
Once you’ve got your jewelry making tools in hand, you’re all set to begin creating DIY jewelry!
Start Here for DIY Jewelry
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