Making jewelry is a lot more than just having a great idea. It is often the little things: clean connections, consistent spacing, easy-to-use closures, and thoughtful finishing that will determine the final impression of your piece.
Even the simplest piece can look like a professional design if you pay attention to these details.
Think Before You Assemble
Before you start putting your jewelry together, you can get an idea of what the final piece will look like by arranging the materials you want to use.
Arrange Your Materials
Arrange the beads, stones, chains, and findings in the order in which you expect to use them. If something is too big or too small or just doesn’t look right, now is the time to change it.
Pay Attention to Your Connections
One of the most noticeable details in handmade jewelry is the way you connect parts of the design. Jump rings, loops, crimps, and other connections should be neat and secure.
Check Your Connections
When you finish making your jewelry, test the connections by gently pulling on them. Look for gaps, loose parts, sharp wire ends, or crooked connections. Checking for a few seconds will save you from potential issues down the road.
Keep Your Spacing Consistent
The spacing in your jewelry can affect the overall look. For example, if you use the same beads or decorations in a repeating pattern, try to keep the space between them consistent.
Measure Where Appropriate
In some cases, especially in symmetrical designs, you can use measurements to make things much easier. There is no need to measure everything, but some guidelines will help you keep your spacing consistent.
Select the Proper Findings
Small components like clasps, jump rings, ear wires, and connectors may seem like trivial details, but they affect the look and function of the design. Make sure the finding is the right size and weight for your piece.
Coordinate the Finishes
If your primary metal is a shiny silver color, using a significantly different metal finish (unless you intend to) may detract from the overall look of the design. Make sure the metal choices work together.
Finish Your Wire Ends
Wirework is a beautiful way to make your jewelry look special, but uncompleted wire ends can make the design uncomfortable to wear. After you shape or wrap your wire, examine the ends to see if there are any loose or sharp parts.
Smooth Your Finish
Examine the wire to ensure that the exposed ends are not open and don’t create sharp edges. This is especially important for bracelets, necklaces, and other items that come in contact with your skin.
Make Your Closures User-Friendly
It’s hard to appreciate a beautiful necklace or bracelet if the clasp is too difficult to use. Consider how the wearer will put the jewelry on and take it off.
Test the Closure
Test the closure by opening and closing the clasp a few times. Ensure the clasp opens and closes smoothly and stays in place when you’re wearing your piece.
Keep Your Workspace Clean
A clean work area helps you make better jewelry. Jewelry components are easy to lose, and clutter can make it difficult to focus on small details. Use small containers or trays to store different components while you’re working.
Examine the Finished Piece
When you think your piece is complete, examine it one more time. Take a close look at the piece from different angles and see how it looks and works.
Ask Yourself
Is the piece comfortable? Are the parts secure? Does the design look balanced? Are there any loose strands, sharp edges, inconsistent spaces, or unfinished sections? These questions will help you identify minor issues that are easy to fix.
Take Pictures
Taking pictures is not only a great way to share your jewelry but also to improve your design skills. A photo shows your piece from a different angle and highlights things you may miss when you’re holding it.
Final Thoughts
A professional-looking piece is rarely the result of complex techniques but rather careful finishing. Plan your piece, keep your connections neat, maintain your spacing, choose the correct findings, and inspect the finished product. Little improvements applied to every piece you make will eventually result in jewelry that looks more polished, intentional, and worth wearing.
