If you would like to create jewelry from the simple to the sublime, try making jewelry with ribbon. Making jewelry using ribbons is easy enough that your kids can try their hands at it while you fashion your own beautiful pieces.
Making Jewelry with Ribbon
If you want to make a simple, elegant statement, you can cut a piece of velvet ribbon and tie it around your neck as a choker. You can place the bow on the front or on the back of your neck. What could be easier?
Your children can make their own bracelets, perhaps with a little assistance from you. Cut pieces of ribbon about two inches longer than their wrists. Fold the ends down about a half inch and glue. Then cut Velcro strips and glue them onto the ends. From there, the sky is the limit! You can glue buttons, yarn, glitter or bows onto the ribbons for decoration.
Why not make matching necklaces, bracelets and earrings? You can use pearls, pendants and beads on sheer ribbon. You will need needle nose pliers to finish the jewelry, scissors and perhaps, a beading needle. The hardest part about making this type of jewelry is choosing the types of clasps that you would like to use. If the holes in your beads or pearls are particularly small, roll the ribbon to a point and use it as if it were a needle. An advantage of using beads or pearls with small holes is that they will stay in place along the ribbon. Otherwise, plan on using your beads as "pendants" or try wider ribbons in your project.
Another idea is to create braided jewelry. In this scenario, make sure that the ribbon that you use is wider than the holes of your beads or pearls so that they will stay in place. You simply place your beads or pearls on three strands of ribbon and then loosely weave the ribbons together to your taste. Put on your findings and you are done!
If you have some silver or gold plated chain necklaces or bracelets and would like to jazz them up, you can make your own ribbon jewelry chain. Weave a silk ribbon with the color of your choice through the chain. If you choose, you can end with a pretty little bow.
 | Follow these making jewelry for beginners instructions and tips to determine what you want to make and what materials you'd like to work with if you're thinking about making jewelry and don't know where to start. |
 | Whether you are making button jewelry like bracelets or custom pins, you can take pride in working with a tradition that dates back to the Bronze Age. |
 | Learning how to make wire jewelry will allow you to practice trial and error until you find a method that works best for you. Wire jewelry is wonderful for its endless possibilities. |
Learning how to sell jewelry takes much more than just dropping by a local jewelry store and walking away with a check |
One great homemade gift idea comes right from grandma's button box. Learning how to make button jewelry is so easy, and the finished button rings, bracelets and charms make such lovely, sentimental gifts. |
