Jewellery making for beginners

Round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers and side cutters. A starter kit that includes those three plus jump rings, clasps and earring hooks is the right first buy.

Clay heishi bead kits are huge on Amazon right now and make good gifts, but they teach a different skill (stringing) to wire and findings work.

Earrings first. Open a jump ring sideways — never pull it apart — hang a charm, close it flush. That single move is used in almost every piece.

Then a simple bracelet on elastic or memory wire. Necklaces can wait until you are tidy with clasps.

Add a bulk findings pack before another giant bead mix. You will run out of jump rings and hooks long before you run out of beads.