Heartfelt & Handmade Jewelry Gifts for National Make-a-Gift Day

Christmas is coming up, but this year there’s no need to feel overwhelmed trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. December 3rd is National Make-a-Gift Day and JTV’s Jewel School channel on YouTube has all the inspiration and information you need to create beautiful and meaningful gifts that your loved ones will appreciate.

Jewelry, especially handmade jewelry, is always a wonderful way to show your favorite people how much they mean to you.

There are endless possibilities for personalization; you can incorporate the person’s name or initials, their favorite color or their birthstone. It also demonstrates that you put a lot of genuine thought, time and energy into crafting a symbol of your affection for the receiver. A handmade accessory is a truly one-of-a-kind item that no one else in the world will have. Plus, the owner can carry it with them wherever they go and be reminded of the love they share with you. 

A convertible charm is ideal for the people in your life who are indecisive or like to change things up. They have the ability to wear this charm as a pendant, clip it to their purse or keys, or even attach it to their pet’s collar. 

To make this charm, first you need to choose a charm with a hole drilled into it and thread some wire through the hole. Then, using thicker wire, you create a loop called a split ring, and this ring will attach to the lobster claw clip that allows you to clip the charm to different objects. After you attach the wire threaded through the charm to the split ring, all three components are connected and the piece is finished! 

Even better than a typical friendship bracelet, bolo bracelets are adjustable. Not having to worry about whether it will fit them takes a lot of the stress out of the gifting process. They are also one of the easiest accessories to make! 

All you have to do is thread the beads of your choice onto a bit of wire and then attach the wire to an adjustable bolo chain. That’s literally it; it doesn’t get any simpler! 

A ring with a message stamped inside can be a very intimate gift, containing special words from you to them that they can always carry. This ring is also adjustable, which is always a plus.

This piece is a bit more advanced than the previous two, but is still completely achievable even for beginners. Basically, you use a special hammer and stamps to inscribe the message you want on a blank metal ring strip. Then, you use a different jewelry-making hammer to add texture to the metal and color over the inscription with an enamel pen. After the ink dries for a few seconds, wipe the excess with a paper towel. The last step is to use pliers to bend the metal strip into a ring shape. 

Not only is personalized jewelry in style, but who doesn’t love an accessory specifically tailored to them? A charm necklace with their initial on it is a super easy way to accomplish this task. 

You first need a blank metal charm to put the letter on. You can do this using a special jewelry-making hammer and stamp. Next, you just attach the charm to a chain using a jump ring and add a clasp to the chain.  

Before you get started making jewelry, I have a couple of helpful tips to share. 

If this Christmas season will be your first journey into the world of jewelry-making, it’s best to start simple. Trust me, I know it’s easy to concoct grand plans when you first learn a new skill. However, when it’s time to execute those plans, it can quickly become frustrating instead of fun. If you want to avoid frustration and end up with a well-crafted gift, start out with modest expectations and be patient with yourself. 

Some jewelry also depends heavily on appropriate sizing. Rings are the best example of how sizing can make or break the wearability of some pieces. If you make a ring, or even a bracelet, for someone that is too large or small, it may fall off and get lost — or they may not be able to put it on at all. Unless you have a good idea of the person’s ring or wrist size, it’s better to stick with projects like necklaces, earrings and charms.