Single hen

[tiggerlady]

DD would very much like to start making jewellery for herself and friends but has no idea where to start with supplies,equipment that is necessary rather than optional cos she is off sick from work,so her finances are a bit tight! i will help out where I can but this I feel should be something she does for herself. Are there any websites that you would recommend for ideas etc? Is it an expensive hobby? She was quite interested in the silver clay modelling but I fear it might be outside her budget(and mine!) but we could be very wrong All advice welcome! many thanks

[craftyhunnypie]

QVC & Ideal world sell silver clay kits. Its quite an expensive craft. What about Fimo instead?

There is a new magazine coming out called making jewellery. I personally would go on a day course to see if she likes it & to learn the basics. Borrow books from the library & get those free leaflets from Hobbycraft. If you look on Hobbycraft website there are lots of free projects. Start with basic earrings first - they are great fun!

 

Emma.x

[Chook n Boo Mum]

DD would very much like to start making jewellery for herself and friends but has no idea where to start with supplies,equipment that is necessary rather than optional cos she is off sick from work,so her finances are a bit tight! i will help out where I can but this I feel should be something she does for herself. Are there any websites that you would recommend for ideas etc? Is it an expensive hobby? She was quite interested in the silver clay modelling but I fear it might be outside her budget(and mine!) but we could be very wrong All advice welcome! many thanks

 

Tiggerlady, Re the Silver Clay, it works out at just over £1 per gram of clay, and to give you an idea of what you can do with it, the two pics which ANH has posted for Freddie on the "Funky Silver Jewellery...." thread were all made from 10 grams which looks slightly larger, in size, than a nugget of chewing gum! I get "Beads & Beyond" magazine as it has silver clay projects and other forms of jewellery making included.

 

The Silver Clay is not cheap, but the results are fantastic. At risk of doing myself out of a job, you can self-teach, but I did feel that a class to start with was invaluable, I could ask questions etc & get a feel of the clay under the watchful eye of someone with experience! Also to be shown how to fire the pieces is hugely beneficial. Once the piece is fired it becomes Pure Silver (99.9% silver) as opposed to the 92-93% silver of Sterling Silver.

 

PM me if you want to know more, Eastbourne is not a million miles from Chichester so I'd be happy to meet you & get you started as I did with Freddie & her sister.

 

Sha x

[tiggerlady]

Thank you ladies for your helpful tips.I shall show DD the photos when she gets up.In the meantime I shall try and look for a class forthis sort of stuff, but I must say we are DEPRIVED when it comes to things like this!!NO Hobbycraft for miles around!! If all else fails,theres Ebay! Many thanks Sha for your offer of travelling..May take you up on that especially if DD can get a class together of her friends.. mmm chicken chat and crafting..could iy get any better??

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Not in my humble opinion, no !

 

Sha x

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Beading is an inexpensive way of getting into jewellery making. There are lots of tutorials on the web and ebay is quite cheap. Precious metal is going to be expensive, so why not practice with some cheap stuff and beads first? You'll need some fine-nosed pliers and cutters, and then whatever you fancy making jewellery with. Should be able to get the components on ebay, including tools for £10-20 and then use websites as how-to references.