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Showing posts from January, 2018

All About Sterling Silver: A Maker’s Guide

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Sterling silver is a staple in many jewelry maker’s craft-boxes, and craft stores never seem to be in short stock – but exactly is it? Sterling silver is actually an alloy of pure silver – containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% of either copper, iron, or steel. This makes it far superior to silver-plated jewelry because the silver won’t rub off. Benefits of Sterling Silver There are many benefits to using sterling silver in jewelry. Pure silver is a soft metal that can bend and scratch easily. By alloying it with another metal, you improve the strength of the piece, allowing it to maintain its shape and resist damage. It is also less expensive, so you can make jewelry that is more affordable for your customers.  Drawbacks One of the few drawbacks when using sterling silver is that it can tarnish. Silver is sensitive to water and air, which can cause it to darken. If you’re going for a rustic or boho-chic look, however, this can be a bonus! Regularly wiping the jewelry down with

Understanding Karats – Gold Jewelry

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When buying gold jewelry supplies, the Karat count is important. Deciding on the right karat count for your project, or the ideal karat count to keep in stock for your customers affects the quality of the jewelry created. Each karat count has its own unique attributes, benefits, and drawbacks. Karats also determine the value of the gold, so knowing how it is made can give you important insight when making your purchase. What Do Karats Mean? You will almost never find gold jewelry that is made with pure gold. An alloy is created when the gold is mixed with metals like silver, copper, or palladium. Karats refer to the amount of gold present in the piece. Pure gold is 24 karats (24 parts gold). So, if you are looking at piece of jewelry listed as 18 karat gold, you know that the piece is 18 parts gold, and 6 parts some other type of metal. Common karat counts of gold jewelry include 22 karat, 18 karat, 14 karat, 10 karat. How Does Karat Count Affect Quality? Mixing gold with ot

How Bali Silver is Made

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Bali Silver is a treasured art form, crafted by hand from sterling silver on the island of Bali. These gorgeous jewelry findings add beauty to any jewelry creation and are a favorite of makers everywhere. What many jewelry makers do not know, however, is the intricate process through which it is made. Melting and Mixing – The process begins by melting silver and copper to form sterling silver. The silversmith will measure and weigh the metal by hand, and some are skilled enough to estimate the amounts they will need. Molding and Rolling – The next step is to pour the molten silver into tiny wooden molds. Once cooled, the silversmith feeds the silver through a hand-cranked rolling mill to create the right thickness. Cutting and Soldering – Now it’s time for the sheets of silver to be formed into beads, bezels, and other jewelry findings. The sheets are cut and hammered into a block, and then sanded down to form the right shape. Then the two halves of the beads are soldered tog

How to Design Beautiful Beaded Jewelry

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Creating handmade jewelry is a fun and relaxing process, but it can be difficult to get started. Here is our basic guide to creating beautiful beaded jewelry: Gather Materials A beautiful piece of jewelry starts with selecting the right materials. We stock a selection of wholesale jewelry findings that will help you make the most beautiful piece every time. Here are the materials you need to get started: ·          Flat Jewelry Pliers (for crimping) ·          Small Wire Cutters ·          Jewelry Wire (We recommend Beadalon stringing wire for strength and flexibility.) ·          Crimp Tubes, Jump Rings, and Clasps ·          Beads Plan Your Design The next step is to plan your design. Lay out your beads in your desired arrangement to prevent mistakes when you begin working. We recommend using a bead board so you can plan for the right length. Prep Your Wire The next step is to cut your beading wire a bit longer than your desired length. Take one end of the w

What Size and Strength of Beading Wire Do I Need?

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When working with beads, choosing the right beading wire is very important – not only for the look of your finished piece but the structural integrity. To select the correct beading wire for your project, you need to understand its properties. Stringing wire is composed of a group of thin steel wires that are wound together. They are often coated in nylon for a softer feel and a greater resistance to deteriorating. When selecting wires, the three properties you need to look for are diameter, strand count, and pound test. Diameter – The diameter of the stringing wire is typically listed as a fraction of an inch, or in millimeters. This measurement determines how strong the wire is, and what type of bead will fit on the strand. If you are using teeny tiny beads, you will want a stringing wire with a small diameter. Strand Count – Strand count works a little bit like the thread count for fabrics. The higher the strand count, the more flexible it feels. A high strand count will fee

Essential Jewelry Making Supplies for Every Maker

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When buying supplies to make jewelry for the first time, you may wonder what you should purchase and in what quantities. If you plan to sell handmade jewelry, there are a few essential items that every collection needs. Before you get into buying fancy beads and charms, you should stock up on these essential supplies in bulk: Clasps – Whether you’re crafting bracelets or necklaces, you will always need clasps. Be sure to purchase an abundance of gold and sterling silver clasps wholesale . Choose the type of clasp based on your preference, whether it be lobster, ring, trigger, or even magnetic. You can even purchase fancier forms of clasps if they strike your fancy. Stringing Wire – Stringing wire is very important for anyone working with beads. Choose a stringing wire with the strand count, diameter, and pound test that works best for your specific project. If you work with a multitude of bead styles, it may help you have several types of stringing wire on hand. Chains – Cha

The Benefits of Buying Wholesale Supplies for Your Online Jewelry Store

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Running an online jewelry store can be an extremely rewarding experience. Seeing your customers fall in love with your handcrafted creations and growing a fanbase for your shop is magical – but what happens when demand starts to outweigh supply? Many crafty folks get their supplies from a local craft store when they first open their online store, but that may not be sustainable in the long run. Switching over to wholesale for your jewelry findings can help you save money and keep up with the demands of your shop without going to the craft store every day. Saving Money Buying your jewelry-making supplies can help you save money in the long run. Wholesale may not have made sense when you first started out, but now that you’ve established a decently sized customer base it’s time to make the switch. Buying wholesale allows you to obtain the supplies you need without dealing with the retail markups at the craft store. Saves Time When your business starts picking up, you will inev

Welcome to the Multi Creations Blog

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Multi Creations is a wholesaler and manufacturer of bulk jewelry-making supplies with a reputation for excellence. All of our products manufactured in the United States and at associate factories overseas undergo strict quality control, allowing us to provide the highest quality products at competitive pricing. Whether you are looking to stock your craft store or purchase supplies for your own jewelry business, you can find all of the gold and silver findings, beads, and chains that you need. In this blog, we will discuss a variety of topics relevant to our industry, from tips about jewelry-making to information about the manufacturing process. If you make jewelry or are interested in selling jewelry-making supplies to your customers, or simply have an interest in this industry, you should subscribe. We will publish informative and entertaining content on a regular basis – so don’t miss out! Whether you run a craft store or create handmade jewelry,  you won’t find a better sel