Popular Jewelry Styles & Techniques
| Style/Technique |
Description |
Complexity |
Tools Needed |
| Beading |
Stringing beads onto thread or wire |
⭐ |
Pliers, crimp tool |
| Wire Wrapping |
Sculpting wire around stones |
⭐⭐ |
Round-nose pliers |
| Polymer Clay |
Molded, baked clay shapes |
⭐⭐ |
Clay tools, oven |
| Resin Casting |
Pouring resin into molds |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Molds, UV/epoxy resin |
| Metal Stamping |
Impressing designs on metal |
⭐⭐ |
Steel stamps, hammer |
| Chainmaille |
Linking rings into patterns |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Two pliers |
| Macrame |
Knotting cord in patterns |
⭐⭐ |
Clipboard, scissors |
| Electroforming |
Metal plating organic items |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Specialty equipment |
| Tool |
Use |
Price Range |
Skill Level |
Best For |
| Round Nose Pliers |
Bending wire into loops |
$5–$15 |
⭐ |
Earrings, wire wrapping |
| Chain Nose Pliers |
Grip and flatten wire |
$5–$15 |
⭐ |
Crimps, jump rings |
| Flush Cutters |
Clean wire cuts |
$8–$20 |
⭐ |
All wire work |
| Jewelry Glue (E6000) |
Strong adhesive |
$6–$12 |
⭐ |
Beads, settings |
| UV Lamp |
Cure resin fast |
$20–$50 |
⭐⭐ |
Resin earrings |
| Bead Board |
Layout planning |
$10–$25 |
⭐ |
Necklaces, bracelets |
| Needle Files |
Smooth edges |
$8–$20 |
⭐⭐ |
Metal findings, resin pieces |
| Jeweler’s Saw |
Cutting metal sheet |
$25–$50 |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Advanced metalsmithing |
Jewelry Materials Cheatsheet
Basic Materials
| Material |
Best Use |
Price Range |
Characteristics |
| Jewelry Wire (20–26 gauge) |
Wrapping, linking |
$5–$15/spool |
Flexible, varies in hardness |
| Head Pins/Eye Pins |
Dangles, links |
$3–$10/pack |
Pre-cut with loop or head |
| Jump Rings |
Connecting components |
$2–$8/pack |
Easy to open/close |
| Beads (Glass/Crystal) |
Decoration |
$5–$20/strand |
Wide colours/shapes |
| Chains |
Necklaces, extensions |
$4–$15/meter |
Metal or plated options |
| Earring Findings |
Attach to lobes |
$3–$10/pair |
Hooks, studs, clips |
| Clasps (Lobster, Toggle) |
Closures |
$2–$10/pack |
Functional and decorative |
Specialty & Trend Materials
| Material |
Trend Use |
Notes |
Cost |
Skill Level |
| Polymer Clay |
Earrings, pendants |
Bake at 275°F |
Low |
⭐⭐ |
| Resin + Pigments |
Art pendants |
UV or epoxy |
Medium |
⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pressed Flowers |
Resin & glass art |
Must be dry |
Low |
⭐⭐ |
| Gemstone Chips |
Boho necklaces |
Irregular shapes |
Medium |
⭐⭐ |
| Stainless Steel Blanks |
Engraving & stamping |
Durable |
Medium |
⭐⭐ |
| Silicone Molds |
Resin or clay |
Reusable |
Low |
⭐ |
Jewelry Projects by Skill Level
Beginner (30–90 mins)
| Project |
Tools |
Materials |
Sale Price |
Skills Gained |
| Beaded Bracelets |
Pliers |
Elastic, beads |
$10–20 |
Stringing, knots |
| Wire Earrings |
Wire, pliers |
Beads, hooks |
$15–25 |
Loops, linking |
| Clay Studs |
Cutter, oven |
Polymer clay |
$10–15 |
Baking, sanding |
| Resin Charms |
Mold, UV light |
UV resin, glitter |
$10–20 |
Pouring, curing |
| Leather Cord Necklaces |
Scissors |
Pendant + cord |
$15–30 |
Assembly |
| Project |
Techniques |
Tools |
Profit Potential |
Market |
| Statement Earrings |
Clay or resin |
Cutters, drills |
$20–60 |
Fashion, Etsy |
| Wire-Wrapped Pendants |
Wrapping |
Pliers, wire |
$25–75 |
Crystal lovers |
| Charm Bracelets |
Linking, assembly |
Jump rings |
$20–40 |
Gifts, teens |
| Clay Pendant Necklaces |
Sculpting |
Clay tools |
$25–60 |
Artsy market |
| Mixed Media Sets |
Resin + wood |
Molds, polish |
$30–80 |
High-end craft |
Advanced (4+ hours)
| Project |
Required Skill |
Tools |
Sale Price |
Ideal Buyer |
| Electroformed Rings |
Plating & chemistry |
Tank, copper |
$60–150 |
High-end collectors |
| Papercut-in-Resin Jewelry |
Layered art |
Knife, resin |
$40–120 |
Artwear enthusiasts |
| Metal Stamped Bracelets |
Stamping, filing |
Bench block, stamps |
$40–90 |
Custom gift buyers |
| Quirky Clay Collections |
Branding + sculpting |
Clay, packaging |
$60–200 |
Online fandoms |
| Resin Globe Earrings |
Layers + domes |
Sphere molds |
$40–100 |
Niche boutiques |
Selling & Pricing Jewelry
| Pricing Method |
Example |
Best For |
Notes |
| Cost + Time |
$5 materials + $15 time = $25 |
Custom items |
Fair baseline |
| Bundle Deals |
3 pairs for $50 |
Markets, online |
Upsell advantage |
| Tiered Pricing |
Simple studs $15, custom $30 |
Etsy |
Value clarity |
| Wholesale |
$8 cost, $16 sale |
Local shops |
50–60% markup |
| Premium Pricing |
$100+ |
Unique high-end |
Luxury packaging matters |
Packaging & Presentation
| Item |
Purpose |
Budget Option |
Upgrade Option |
| Jewelry Cards |
Display, branding |
Cardstock + logo |
Printed thick cards |
| Organza Bags |
Protection, presentation |
$0.10 each |
Branded pouches |
| Boxes |
Gift-ready packaging |
Kraft box |
Custom-printed box |
| Care Instructions |
Info for buyer |
Print-at-home |
Foil or QR code |
| Tags/Labels |
Price or name |
Handwritten |
Logo-stamped |
| Platform |
Ideal Use |
Pros |
Cons |
| Etsy |
Handmade jewelry |
Global audience |
Fees, competition |
| Instagram/Facebook |
Personal brand |
Free & visual |
Algorithm-dependent |
| Markets/Craft Fairs |
In-person sales |
Immediate feedback |
Inventory needed |
| Shopify |
Scalable online store |
Full control |
Monthly cost |
| Consignment Stores |
Passive income |
Local exposure |
Revenue split |
Storage, Safety & Studio Setup
| Area |
Best Practice |
Why It Matters |
| Tool Storage |
Magnetic strip or drawers |
Avoid damage & injuries |
| Small Parts |
Divided containers |
Prevent loss/mixing |
| Ventilation |
Open window/fan |
Resin safety |
| Lighting |
Bright + daylight lamp |
Detail work ease |
| Fire Safety |
Clay ovens monitored |
Prevent overheating |
Learning Resources
| Platform |
Focus Area |
Best For |
Cost |
| YouTube |
All techniques |
Visual learners |
Free |
| Skillshare |
Structured courses |
Intermediate/advanced |
Subscription |
| Pinterest |
Inspiration |
Design ideas |
Free |
| Craftsy |
Beading, wire |
Specific techniques |
Free + paid |
| Facebook Groups |
Seller tips, critique |
Peer support |
Free |
Handmade jewelry tells your story, one bead, one loop, one spark of inspiration at a time.