Let's look at men's jewelry. Men's bracelets and necklaces never get a lot of love. Men's beaded jewelry tends to be less flashy and less fun than an elaborate multi-stranded necklace that would find a home on a woman's neck. The color options for His jewelry can be more muted and earthy than Her jewelry. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun designing a necklace for the fellow in your life.
Let's talk about His jewelry and look at three easy projects. If you are thinking about designing chunkier jewelry for Him, check out the video below for some great ideas.
The most daunting thing about designing jewelry for a male is learning the color pallet he is comfortable with, some men like flashy jewelry that sparkles and shines. Others want a soft but durable accent to hide under a sleeve or collar. Blues are always a great choice - very summery, very masculine. Black is always going to be a good go to color - absolutely timeless; there is no way to use too much or too little. White is good as a highlight, maybe not a full necklace. Earthy tones are always good. Bone and metal are fantastic. Get creative, but know who you are designing for. If you are creating jewelry for a man that likes color – anything might be on the table.
The first project is a simple Lapis Bamboo Necklace.
Lapis Bamboo Necklace
Designer: Damien Shay
Materials
Soft Flex Wire, Satin Silver .019 Diameter - 19"
Lapis Lazuli Smooth Flat Oval Bead - 5 pcs
7x5mm Black Colored Bamboo Rice Bead - 42 pcs
6mm White Howlite Rondelle Bead - 16 pcs
2x2mm Silver Filled Crimp Tube - 2 pcs
1 Strand Clasp - 1 set
Tools
Crimper
Cutter
Round Nose Pliers
Bead Stoppers
Instructions
Finished Size: 18 1/4"
Step 1: Cut 19" of .019 diameter Soft Flex satin silver colored beading wire and attach a bead stopper to one end. String these beads on the wire in the following order: 1 bamboo, 1 howlite, 1 bamboo, 1 howlite, 1 bamboo, and 1 howlite.
Step 2: Then string 6 bamboo, 1 howlite, 1 lapis and 1 howlite. Continue stringing beads in this order until there are 5 lapis beads with holite beads on each side.
Step 3: String the following beads in this order: 6 bamboo, 1 Howlite, 1 bamboo, 1 Howlite, 1 bamboo, 1 Howlite and 1 bamboo.
Step 4: Add a 2x2mm crimp tube to the end of the wire. Then string half of the clasp and take the end of the wire and string it back through the crimp tube. Crimp using the regular crimping pliers. Click here for step by step instructions on how to crimp. Next use the cutter and trim the excess wire flush to the crimp tube making sure not to cut the side of the wire with the stringed beads.
Step 5: On the other end of the wire, remove the bead stopper and string a 2x2mm crimp tube and the other half of the clasp, then follow the same directions to crimp and trim.
Click here to download a PDF of this free project idea.
Another thing to be mindful about: shapes and sizes. Some men prefer a smaller, unassuming bead or gemstone. They want to wear a piece of jewelry that appeals to them but is not necessarily worn for anybody else. Some men want their accessories to be as boisterous and fun as they are; they want their jewelry to be chunky and large and catch everybody’s attention. Again, knowing the person you are designing for is key to figuring out what is going to be acceptable here. Another factor may be the occupation the man is in, he is not going to want to call attention to his jewelry if he is in a job that frowns upon jewelry. You will not likely see a soldier or police officer wearing a chunky Lapis necklace, but they may be wearing a discrete wood and shell necklace under the collar.
Bamboo Copper Necklace
Designer: Damien Shay
Materials
Copper Color Metallics Wire, .019 Diameter - 19"
8x5mm Natural Bamboo Rice Bead - 15 pcs
8x5mm Dark Brown Bamboo Rice Bead - 15 pcs
7x5mm Brown Bamboo Rice Bead - 14 pcs
4mm Copper Plated Bead - 30 pcs
2x2mm Copper Crimp Tube - 2 pcs
12mm Copper Toggle Clasp - 1 set
Tools
Crimper
Cutter
Round Nose Pliers
Bead Stoppers
Instructions
Finished Size: 18"
Step 1: Cut a 19" length of .019 diameter Copper Color Metallics Wire and attach a bead stopper to one end. Begin stringing one of each of the following beads on the wire in this order: copper, dark brown Bamboo, natural Bamboo, copper, brown Bamboo, copper and natural Bamboo.
Step 2: Then string one of each bead in the following order: dark brown Bamboo, copper, brown Bamboo, copper, dark brown Bamboo, natural Bamboo, copper, brown Bamboo, copper and natural Bamboo.
Step 3: Continue stringing beads in the order from Steps 1 and 2, making sure that you alternate the sequence of dark brown Bamboo, copper, brown Bamboo, copper, dark brown Bamboo with natural Bamboo, copper, brown Bamboo, copper, natural Bamboo. After you string the fifteenth dark brown Bamboo bead, then string one more natural Bamboo bead and one more copper bead.
Step 4: Next string a 2x2mm copper crimp tube to one end of the wire, then string half of the copper toggle clasp. Take the end of the wire and string it back through the crimp tube and crimp using the crimping pliers. Click here for step by step instructions on how to crimp. Next use the cutters and trim the excess wire flush to the crimp tube making sure not to cut the side of the wire with the stringed beads.
Step 5: On the other end of the necklace, string a 2x2mm copper crimp tube and the other half of the clasp. Take the end of the wire and string it back through the crimp tube and crimp using the crimping pliers. Then cut the excess wire flush to the crimp tube.
Click here to download a PDF of this free project idea.
Necklaces are not the only jewelry a man might wear. Earrings are popular and extremely varied among men. Pegs, dangling earrings, stretched ears with eyelets. Earrings have adorned pirates and politicians alike. Bracelets are also fun. Men’s bracelets are one of the most commonly searched jewelry pieces for men on Google. If you want to design a fun bracelet for Him, remember the rule – know the person you are designing for. Again, this will dictate the color, shape, and size of the jewelry.
Wave Rider Bracelet
Designer: Damien Shay
Materials
Soft Flex Wire, Satin Silver .024 Diameter - 9"
7x5mm Lapis Lazuli Barrel Bead - 13 pcs
6mm Blue Howlite Faceted Round Bead - 14 pcs
3mm Sterling Silver Round Bead - 2 pcs
2x2mm Silver Filled Crimp Tube - 2 pcs
1 Strand Clasp - 1 set
Tools
Crimper
Cutter
Round Nose Pliers
Bead Stoppers
Instructions
Finished Size: 8 1/4"
Step 1: Cut 9" of .024 diameter Soft Flex satin silver colored beading wire and attach a bead stopper to one end and string one sterling silver bead.
Step 2: Then string one howlite and one lapis bead. Continue stringing beads in this order until you have reached the fourteenth strung howlite bead. String one silver bead at the end.
Step 3: Add a 2x2mm crimp tube to the end of the wire. Then string half of the clasp and take the end of the wire and string it back through the crimp tube. Crimp using the regular crimping pliers.
Click here for step by step instructions on how to crimp. Next use the cutter and trim the excess wire flush to the crimp tube making sure not to cut the side of the wire with the stringed beads.
Step 4: On the other end of the wire, remove the bead stopper and string a 2x2mm crimp tube and the other half of the clasp, then follow the same directions to crimp and trim.
Click here to download a PDF of this free project idea.
Lots of us fellows love jewelry. Male celebrities can be seen on the red carpet wearing their favorite jewelry. Some celebrities, like Tom Hardy, are very vocal about their favorite accessories. Tom often talks about his Paracord macramé bracelets. He has given his bracelets to co-stars and directors and worn them in his movies.
Check out owner Mike Sherman's designs in the video below. He has been a passionate life long beader and has designed for men and women alike. He loves chunky and heavy gemstones but is not afraid to work with the tiny stuff.
Special thanks to Damien Shay for his projects on this blog. These are just a small sample of his actual work.
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Blog contributor Thomas Soles is the Trade Show Coordinator for Soft Flex Company. His favorite stones are Lapis and Pietersite. His favorite hobby is day dreaming. And his favorite mustache is Tom Selleck's. As you can see, he has a healthy (or possibly unhealthy) sense of humor. You can write to him at Thomas@SoftFlexCompany.com