by Lauren Rogoff

Growing up, I always loved to make jewelry. Starting with stringing a few brightly-colored plastic beads on some yarn, and eventually learning to weave and wire wrap, I created increasingly complex curiosities as I got older.  My family was always involved and encouraged my creativity, helping with the tough parts of projects, and mom, aunts and grandmothers were also honored to receive my creations as presents.  Even now, I honor those childhood crafting sessions, making jewelry as a creative outlet and even having created my own line of jewelry. Jewelry-making is the perfect way to allow your nieces to express their creative sides, and a wonderful way for them to spend time with Auntie!

Here are some helpful tips for jewelry projects with your niece:

Start simple. There are innumerable types of jewelry that can be handmade, from friendship bracelets, which you may remember with fondness, Auntie, and are enjoying a surge in popularity, to the classic lanyard, to bead stringing and weaving.  Simpler projects are best for younger nieces, and they can work towards more complicated pieces as they learn.  You can also help a younger niece with the tough parts of the project, like putting the clasp on a strand for her (online tutorials, easily found on YouTube, can help if you don’t know how), and then your niece can string beads in pretty patterns.  When the strand is finished, you can attach a jump ring to the end and – voila! – a necklace (or a bracelet if your niece gets bored...).

Check out Jewelry Kits. Jewelry kits are sold everywhere, from Walmart, to specialty stores, to craft stores like Michael’s.  They provide all the basics in one handy box, and generally come with instructions.  You can open the kit together and decide what colors you like best, spend an afternoon happily crafting.  The best part is, there will still be lots more supplies when the day is done!

Shopping is half the fun. There are lots of bead stores all over the country, with a gorgeous selection of beads and supplies for making jewelry.  Most will help you make your jewelry right there in the shop.  Visiting a bead store makes a great Auntie-niece outing, especially for adolescent nieces who will be floored at all of the gorgeous and colorful bits and pieces.  They will be especially proud to model something beautiful that they created themselves.  The finished product that you create together can also be a wonderful gift (especially if you and your niece make matching pieces). 

Explore bead stores and classes. Most bead stores, and many other jewelry workshops around the country, also offer classes that teach more advanced techniques, like how to make rings, pendants, how to wire wrap, how to craft metal pieces, or knotted jewelry.  Taking a class with your teenage niece would be a fun way to learn something new, and usually you make something beautiful that you can take home and wear.

Jewelry-making is a fun, creative activity that you can enjoy with a niece of any age. Get crafting, Auntie!

Published: April 17, 2012