Answer by It’s That Guy
Go to the library (or bookstore) and see if they have any books on polymer clay. There’s a million things you can do with it. You can work for years learning new stuff all the time. Every time someone figures out a new technique, they write a book about it.

Check out polymer clay on the Internet. Fimo is the most popular brand (or maybe just the best recognized one) so Google that, also ‘polymer clay’. I’m sure there are dozens of web pages with ideas. I bet there are even videos on YouTube with instructions on how to do stuff.

If you know anyone who does polymer clay, ask them to show you a few tricks. If there’s a craft store in your area, or a bead store, call them and ask them if they have classes.

Answer by Jen
Go to a craft store like Michael’s or AC Moore. They have a whole section of Polymer clay and the tools for it. I would recommend getting a mold and the pressing the polymer clay into them in the various colors for the thing. Or you can roll charms out yourself. Get Creative. I just made some cute apples by just making a chunk of clay into a ball and putting the pieces of green clay to make leaves.

Here’s a site from the clay I use (Sculpey) that has some cute projects:

http://www.sculpey.com/projects.htm

Answer by felineroche
Put polymer clay in the search for questions box. There have been lots of answers to similar questions including some from a contributor who knows lots about it.

Answer by derfini
Well, they all vary in price, but quantity usually means good prices. I’ve shopped successfully in the Bead Shop in Covent Garden, whose website is:

http://www.beadworks.co.uk/

And there’s a big supplier in Manchester called The Bead Shop (haven’t tried this one).

The Brighton Bead Shop is excellent, also The Rocking Rabbit.

Answer by Boopydoodle
Hi I used to make Jewellery but now I prefer to source pre made pieces instead. It really depends what type of jewellery you want to make.
The Beadshop Scotland. They have a great selection of Polymer clay food and sweetie charms like Lovehearts etc. http://www.beadshopscotland.co.uk/
The Beadshop Manchester is great for the basic findings that you will need for making each piece such as the charm bracelet, jump rings, split rings, earring bases, backs, ring backs etc http://www.the-beadshop.co.uk/
Beadsunlimited are good aswell. http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/
My Vintage Charms have fab vintage style charms. They take great care packaging orders up but it does a little while for them to deliver.
The internet if full of lots of different site. I would recommend that you buy online. Its mcuh cheaper than buying from bricks and mortar store.
Hope this helps!

Answer by thoserfree
check out youtube or online video sites for inspiration until you can sort something out.

Answer by Willeke
If you make an overhand knot between the beads (also called thumbknot here is a link to a picture: http://knopen.ismijnhobby.nl/tables/thumb_knot_table.html)
you can insert a needle in the knot before you close it.
With the needle you move it to where it needs to go and then you close it. The needle just slips out when the knot is tight, retighten the last little bit.

And to get the knot made, you mostly bring the beaded part of the string through the knot, not the yet to be filled part. That also makes it easier.

Answer by lala
I bought the tool you mention and found it too finicky and gave up. I bought a tweezers with needlepoint tips and use it much the same way as the needle method described by Willeke. I’m still not great at it but I guess practice makes perfect….actually I do more wire wrapping and rosary-style linking instead as I’m better at that….

Answer by Katherine Lynn A
This depends on how far you you wish to take the craft. If you wish to create truly original work you will need to lay out a great deal of money on equipment, (a rolling mill alone costs in excess of £1,000). If you only wish to string a few beads together you will get away with a less outlay.

Answer by metblondie222
i have some pointed rounded pliers, they virtually do everything, twist bend and cut, bought them from a craft shop, saves on buying tons of tools

Answer by crusha03
not really sure Hun!
But I’d start with…a small set of pliers for crimping clasps together,Needles for threading & maybe a small hob-biers vice so you’ll have a free hand!!

Sorry can’t be more helplful but it might start you in the right direction.
x

What is the piece that attaches the string to the clasp called? Im making necklaces but dont have this piece so I cant attach the clasps but I do’t know what it is called! Not the jump ring, but the piece that is attached to the string. Other variations are alright, just not crimp beads. Thanks!

Answer by ginger
Quick guess/ Findings Checked it out on Create and Craft channel,

Answer by riversconfluence
I have similar ones, they are called clam shell clasps. They hold fabric and such just like yours do, just a different shape.

Also called connector end clamp, also called a cord tip. Depends on which site or what store you are using.

they also make them long and slender for ribbon ends. Fire mountain has a good selection of findings.

Answer by Heather
Calottes (also known as Clamshell Crimps, Bead Tips, Knot Cups and Necklace Ends) combined with beading string and jewelry making wire to give a professional touch to your hand made beaded jewelry.
They are metal, part of your jewelry making findings and cover the knot or crimp bead at the end of a beaded strand.
Calottes, bead tips have a hole at the base of the two halves this allows the thread to go through.

Can anyone offer any advice??

Answer by ALAN R
she could simple practice as a cottage industry in her spare time .

Answer by sherie j
Try local adult education centres, check your local councils website for courses offered. Good luck

Answer by Kacky
She just has to plunge in and do it. It does take several years to go from beginner to being good enough to sell, but still the only way is to just do it.

She could start with books and supplies from the craft store. But to sell, you have to have unique designs, and use materials that can’t be found in craft stores.

She will also want to be looking for wholesalers or learning to make her own parts, if she wants to make a profit.

I was working full time when I started my sewing business. It’s the only way to support yourself while building your customer base. It can be hectic if she is trying to meet deadlines and prepare for craft shows, but it’s worth it.
.

Answer by lori
I buy my supplies from different sellers on ETSY.com

Answer by Roberta
I’ve always purchased my supplies from JoAnn’s fabrics during their sale times. I really stock up during sales, it also helped that my mother worked there so I got her discount.

However keep an eye out for sales and closeouts. Blue Moon Beads change their ‘line’ every 3-4 months so watch out for when they change out their beads, the going out line tends to go on spectacular sales.

Answer by Diane B.
You don’t say what type of “jewelry” you’re making and there are lots of kinds, and lots of beads that might be suitable for each.

In addition to sales at craft stores, etc., one good strategy is to buy pieces of jewelry from thrift shops and garage sales, then take them apart for the beads (and the findings). Can be quite cheap that way.

Also, if you want a lot of small beads of a particular color, etc., you can make them yourself from polymer clay (or other kinds of clay that would require sealing, etc) for pretty cheap.
Some of the “spacer” beads can be easy to do and cheap, but “seed beads” would get too fiddly if you want to make a huge number of them.
You can find lots of info on making various kinds of beads and spacer beads on these pages of my polymer clay “encyclopedia” website, along with examples, etc:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/beads.htm (click on Spacer and Heishi for those kinds)
http://glassattic.com/polymer/mixing_media.htm (click on Seed Beads, then Making Your Own)
..and for larger beads:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/pendants_cording.htm

(You might also be interested in my pages on Wire –for making your own findings and doing attachments– as well as other kinds of Jewelry on these pages:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/wire.htm

http://glassattic.com/polymer/jewelry.htm )

HTH,
Diane B.

Answer by ukquilter
I’ve been looking through my magazine for The Bead Society of Great Britain to see if there are any mentioned. It might be worth your while looking on the website (www.beadsociety.freeserve.co.uk) to see if more is listed. There is plenty going on in the North, but I haven’t got contact names.

Answer by Nicci
Here are some websites which offer courses in lancashire

www.designed-4-you.co.uk/courses
www.teg.co.uk
www.bebeady.co.uk/lancscollege.htm
www.artandcraftguild.co.uk/samantha_taylor
www.designgem.co.uk
www.cedarfarm.net

Hope this was what you were looking for they are all links which may help you, depends where in lancashire you are. Have fun!

Answer by Bilal K
jhtd

Answer by linda c
google the question

Answer by Turgid Girth
Look on the net