Mixed Media Jewelry – Techniques to Try

One of my favorite things about being a jewelry artist is that it allows me to try so many different crafts, and incorporate aspects of all of them into my designs. There are no requirements in making art jewelry - some art jewelry isn't even really wearable - so it's a perfect art form for people who like to dabble in different crafts. Here's an (incomplete) list of techniques and materials that can be used in jewelry making:

• wirework
• bead stringing
• bead weaving, on a loom or using off-loom needle and thread stitches
• basketweaving techniques, using fiber or metal
• embedding objects in resin
• knitting, using fiber or metal
• crocheting, using fiber or metal
• sewing - can be used to connect metal, paper, fabric, etc. stitching can be done with thread, yarn, wire, cord...
• collage
• cold connections in metal
• scrapbook techniques and materials, such as eyelets, brads, etc.
• writing (poetry, quotes, etc) - words can be stamped into metal, engraved on metal, or incorporated in a mixed media piece on fabric, ribbon, paper, etc.
• ink stamping, embossing, glitter, gold leaf...
• felting - needle felting, fulling knit or crochet, wet felting, or any combination
• deconstructing vintage jewelry, watches, and other items with small parts, and using the parts as beads or findings
• stained glass
• metalsmithing techniques (okay, that might be obvious - we are talking about jewelry after all)
• making dolls and miniatures
• polymer clay
• ceramics
• soldering electronic parts
• using LEDs and other working electronic parts for a piece that literally lights up
• use preserved flowers as decorative elements
• fake flowers can be made using many of these techniques and then used as design elements
• drawing and painting
• sculpture
• woodworking
• PMC, aka metal clay - thanks Silver Canyons for the suggestion!

Help me add to this list - leave a comment with a craft technique that's not on the list & I will add it. I'm working on project ideas and tutorials using non-traditional jewelry making techniques - if there is a specific technique you'd like to learn more about, let me know and I'll see what I can find out. I've been having so much fun searching for information on mica this past week, and I'd love for my blog to become a resource for people who want to learn about combining different mediums in art and craft projects.