Every year for Mother’s Day, commercials advertise that you should buy your mom something flashy to show her your appreciation. Rings, bracelets, necklaces, you name it, it’s worth a good chunk of change and companies want you to buy it. If you think jewelry is just the right gift for your mom this year, look into making her some instead. The more personalized the gift, the more special it can be. Here are some ideas to get you started.
What You Should Know
Making jewelry takes time. Not a lot, depending on what you decide to create, but it will call for more of your attention than grabbing a box of chocolates at the drug store. Not that you’d be alone in not having the time to carve out. On average, people spend $186.39 on their mom’s gift. The holiday calls for massive spending, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Just schedule out some time and you’ll be able to make your mom a truly beautiful gift.
Decide On a Type
There are endless possibilities for how you can design your jewelry, so think about what your mom wears (or would like to wear) and start from there. Here are some kinds of jewelry to consider:
- Beading is one of the easiest kinds to make, so try this one out if you’re intimidated. You’ll need the kind of string you think is best for your look, plus the beads to make it complete. String them along and you’re good to go!
- Stone settings can be gorgeous, even when made by hand. For beginners, there are two types to choose from: Snap-Tite and Easy Mount settings. Both will require some pliers, your chosen stones and the settings you like, but that’s it. There are videos you can watch online as well to see if the process is your kind of activity.
- Wire wrapping is often done in jewelry shops for tourists and parties. You just need your favorite stones, the right kind of wire and some pliers, and you’ll be done in no time! Just wrap the wire around the stones to secure them how you like.
Tools You May Need
This really depends on what kind of jewelry you decide to make. The three options above are not your only ones, but they are the most common for beginners. Always be sure to research what you’ll need for your specific project, but there are also useful tools you may need to have in general that you should think about before starting your mom’s gift.
- Flat nose/Round nose/Nylon tipped pliers
- Wire cutters
- Practice material
- Ruler
- Beads
- Sturdy/Elastic strong
Take some time to daydream about how that necklace or bracelet will look on your mom before heading to the craft store. And always work in an area that’s well-lit and away from any potential safety hazards.
Tips and Tricks
Try a little bit of everything. If you think you could make a kind of jewelry, get out your practice material and go for it. You might find that your original idea wouldn’t have been as good as what you experimented with.
Always read up on your stones! The art of jewelry has some hidden fun facts you should be aware of before you give your mom those earrings. Did you know that garnets were named after the seeds of a pomegranate? Or that amber is actually the softest gemstone? Know your material before giving it away!
Don’t be afraid to get involved in the jewelry community, either. Classes are pretty commonly found, and often include the chance to make multiple kinds of jewelry at once. Meet with your local crafters and look around online to find inspiration.
Above all, never get discouraged. You may start out thinking you can make a certain kind of necklace and find that you don’t have the skills yet. There’s always time to learn, and as long as what you make comes from the heart, your mom is guaranteed to love it.
Have Fun with It
The whole reason you got into learning about all of this is because you wanted to celebrate your mom. Your jewelry isn’t going to be sold anywhere and it’s not meant to go in a museum. It’s meant to show your mom how much you care for and appreciate her. Besides, you can always give her another piece of jewelry after taking some classes if you need to. Moms deserve to be acknowledged on more than just one day a year.
