Starting jewellery making
I’ve always loved to look at pieces of jewellery and have been wanting to make my own for years. I tried some of the traditional methods on a course in past but have been occupied by working on my other skills for years. I really want to make pretty things by hand – even though it wouldn’t make any sense financially. The biggest thing I need to work around is that I don’t have a garage or a space where I can safely do metalworking. But I’m determined to learn as much as I can with what is possible for me in this point of life. I’m exited but overwhelmed since I need to do a ton of research. But I still wanna make pretty things that people can wear.
First introduction to jewellery making
When I studied my fist vocational degree I took an elective course on jewellery making. It was so much fun! Working on making things pretty by hand is really rewarding and relaxing. I started with sawing copper and trying different way to colour it. I added a couple of images above from the first time I was introduced to the techniques. Sometimes I also re-arrange my own jewellery combining parts with pliers to each other to make new pieces of broken ones. I recently made myself a necklace out of black lava stone, frosted green serpentine and frosted sodalite pearls. Positioning the colours of the blue, green and black pearls so that the brightest ones aren’t in the centre seemed like a fun idea so I arranged necklace in that way. I ordered materials from “Helmikauppa” https://www.helmikauppa.com/.
At this point I’m researching some methods I could practise at home and how to start gathering my own equipment slowly and affordably. When it comes to materials my aim is that everything is nickel-free. I’m allergic to nickel myself too and I hate it when I find a really pretty piece but can’t wear it. So that will be my consideration from the get-go. I also want to learn ways to sand and use gemstones and other natural materials in jewellery making. I love the different colour variations on natural gemstones.
Summer will be a great time to dig into new activities and exploration of the forgotten ones! Maybe it’s the sun, maybe it’s the warmth. I hope you have a wonderful time.
