Intricately placing translucent shimmery beads through a thin string, one by one, looping and knotting requires immense attention to detail. The artistry and handcraft found in jewelry making has become a hobby for some White Station High School (WSHS) students, as it helps not only decorate their day-to-day lives, but also allows them to appear stylishly bejeweled.
Many students practice the art of jewelry making, which includes creating bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings all from scratch, through hours of labor as a creative outlet. It allows them to create custom pieces that match their outfits and aesthetic. For example, many jewelry makers use the colors of beads and charms to add texture to their outfit and express their inner creativity that one might not see without. Annie Hatley (12) is just one student who spends time making her own jewelry.
“I make wire-wrapped rings with gemstones on them,” Hatley said. “Earrings, both clip-ons and normal piercing earrings, chain necklaces or rope bracelets — just a little bit of everything.”
Hatley has made her own jewelry since 8th grade. She began making jewelry as a personal hobby and started gifting a few pieces to her friends.
“My mom just bought me a set of assorted beads and wires and all of these things from Michaels for Christmas one year,” Hatley said. “I had no jewelry and buying and accumulating jewelry is expensive and time-consuming, so I just went through this episode where I made a ton of jewelry of my own in a few months. So I just made a ton of rings and stuff and it was much cheaper than buying.”
Other students have been creating jewelry for a bit longer; specifically, Victoria Jacobs (11), who has been making jewelry since 5th grade. She started the hobby when her mom gifted her books on how to make pieces of jewelry.
“I tend to go for very colorful, kind of chain-like jewelry,” Jacobs said. “It usually tends to have a lot of different pieces in it, which creates a bigger picture, as opposed to minimalistic. I wouldn’t say my jewelry is minimalistic.”
Jewelry making requires many materials and a bit of practice. However, the outcome is worth it.
“Well, the jewelry that is the most fun to make for me is rings,” Hatley said. “So you get a ring mandrel, which is like a cylindrical thing with different sizes and widths and you take cheap malleable craft wire. You first measure the size of the ring or the person you’re making it for. You wrap it around the mandrel and then you secure it by wrapping the end of the wire perpendicular. And if you want a gemstone on it, there are several ways to secure it. Basically, it’s a lot of wrapping and messing around with it until it feels right.”
A plus side to jewelry is how customizable it can be, as it can be curated specially for one person. When making jewelry for oneself, inspiration can be taken from online or however the artist feels and what they admire.
“A lot of the times, I will have a top that I feel like needs a specific necklace and I will just make a necklace [to match] because I feel like I don’t have a necklace for it,” Hatley said. “So whenever I have other jewelry and outfits and a piece is missing, I will go to Pinterest and find inspiration and just try to make something to fill in that gap.”
Beginning to make jewelry can be a daunting experience; however, with tutorials, the right materials and a lot of practice, something beautiful can be made. Creating customizable jewelry allows artists to make their visions come to life.
“Get a good pair of pliers, cause it will hurt your hands for sure,” Jacobs said. “There’s a ton of different ways you can go, there’s a ton of different beads. Personally, I use a lot of plastic beads and pearls, but for the plastic beads, I would say don’t use anything opaque … so I tend to use transparent beads.”