Jewellery pliers
The core three are round-nose (for loops), chain-nose (for gripping and opening jump rings) and flush cutters (for clean wire ends). Smooth jaws won't mark your wire.
Shop nowCraft guide
Jewellery making supplies
Bracelets for the bridesmaids, earrings for a friend's birthday, or a stall at the Christmas fair: beading and wirework start with a surprisingly small toolkit.
Beaded jewellery is one of the most accessible crafts there is. With a pair of pliers, some wire and a handful of findings you can make a necklace in an evening, and it's easy to take apart and remake if you change your mind.
As you get more confident you can move into wire-wrapping, chain maille, polymer clay beads or even metal clay, but the tools below are the foundation for all of them.
Supplies to look for
Beads
Glass, seed, gemstone, wooden, acrylic and metal beads all behave differently. Check the hole size and bead size (usually in mm) against your stringing material.
Shop nowFindings
The little metal parts that make jewellery wearable: jump rings, clasps, crimp beads, head pins and eye pins. Buying a mixed starter pack helps you learn what you like.
Shop nowBeading wire & cord
Nylon-coated beading wire is strong and drapes well for necklaces; stretchy cord suits simple bracelets; craft wire is for loops and wrapping.
Shop nowEarring hooks & posts
Look for findings clearly described as nickel-free or made from sterling silver, niobium or surgical-grade steel if you or the wearer has sensitive ears.
Shop nowStarter kits
A kit bundles pliers, findings and beads so you can try the craft before investing in separate supplies.
Shop nowBuying tips
- A bead mat or a tray with a lip stops beads rolling off the table (and into the carpet).
- Measure the wearer's wrist or neck, then add length for clasps and ease. A soft tape measure is invaluable.
- Keep findings sorted by type in a compartment box: see craft storage.
- Close jump rings by twisting the ends back together sideways rather than pulling them apart, so they stay round.
- Supervise young children closely: small beads are a choking hazard.
Good to know in the UK
Hallmarking: in the UK, items sold or described as silver, gold, platinum or palladium generally must be hallmarked by an Assay Office once they're above a minimum weight (for silver the exemption is under 7.78g). If you're making to sell, check the current rules with one of the UK Assay Offices before labelling anything as precious metal.
If you sell earrings or other pieces that touch the skin, UK rules also restrict nickel release, which is another reason to choose clearly labelled nickel-free findings.
Explore more crafts
Paper & Cardmaking
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Sewing & Quilting
Painting & Drawing
Scrapbooking
Kids' Crafts
Cricut, Cutting Machines & Vinyl
Candle & Soap Making
Resin Crafts
Embroidery & Cross-Stitch
Seasonal Crafts
Craft Storage
Just starting out? Read the beginners' guide or pick a weekend project.