Some crafts are for fixing up your home, others are to save money by doing it yourself, and a few are really just for fun when we have the free time. One of the rainy day projects that falls into the latter category is making your own jewelry at home. Some people get so into it they turn it into a full-blown hobby or source of extra income.
As much as I love the macaroni necklaces made by my kids and other at-home creations, some jewelry really requires professional craftsmanship. Let’s take a look at when it pays to purchase a piece of ready-made bling versus making your own.
Buy It: Engagement Ring
It goes without saying that an engagement ring is something you want to purchase rather than make. It’s a piece of jewelry that is worn every day for the rest of your life, which means it needs to be extremely durable and well-made. That doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, but it’s something that’s better off left to professionals with high-grade materials.
Specialists like Front Jewelers can still add a personal touch to an amazing engagement ring by adding an engraving and allowing for other customizations. You can even design your own engagement ring so that it’s a one-of-a-kind piece.
Make It: Beaded Bracelets
It seems like beaded bracelets will never go out of style, which is great for the crafty crowd. Plus, they’re cheap and easy to make on your own at home. A number of specialty stores and big box stores like Michaels sell an array of beads in every style imaginable.
Even novice jewelry makers can manage to string together bead bracelets. With stretch cords, you don’t even have to fuss with adding a clasp. Another bonus is that shopping for your bead bracelet supplies is just as fun as wearing the final product.
If you’re feeling really crafty after a few beaded bracelets try making a braided bead necklace. It’s a lot easier than it looks! I found this lovely braided bead bracelet DIY. Take a look.
Buy It: Birthstone Jewelry
Every month has its own birthstone, which is why birthstone jewelry is a very popular present for birthdays and when a friend or family member has a baby. The one hangup for making birthstone jewelry at home is that some months have a precious stone. For example, the April birthstone is a diamond and July is a ruby.
Sourcing your own precious stones can be a time-consuming process and you have to take measures to make sure you’re getting an authentic gem. Because they are so expensive, jewelry with precious stones isn’t something you want to DIY. Damaging the stone will negatively impact the value and getting a secure setting is easier said than done.
Make It: Chain Jewelry
A pair of needle nose pliers, a few clasps and some strings of bulk chain are all you need to make all sorts of jewelry from anklets to intricate head chains. There are plenty of online tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions for stringing chain jewelry together at home.
One of the latest jewelry fads among teens is thigh chains that are worn with a pair of shorts. All you have to do is add a small piece of flesh-colored elastic to a chain that’s fitted to the circumference of the thigh.
Buy It: Anything Gold
“Fine” jewelry made of gold isn’t the best project for craft jewelers. Gold is a material that you don’t want to waste (and most people can’t afford to). You’ll also need wax molds and other equipment to form gold into the right shapes. At the end of the day, unless you plan to get serious about jewelry making and sell your finished products it’s better just to buy gold jewelry from a store.
Make It: Charm Bracelet
This piece of jewelry is almost as easy to make as a simple chain bracelet. Plus, charm bracelets are all about personalization so they are the perfect DIY jewelry project. All you have to do is select a chain, cut it to length, add a clasp (lobster claws are the easiest option) and then choose some charms to add to the chain.
Ropes, hemp, leather, and wire are other jewelry materials that are easy to use, but when it comes to the more expensive high-end materials it’s best to buy ready-made pieces. If you’ve made a few pieces of jewelry at home, share your crafty projects.