Discover the joy of creating your own jewellery with quality kits designed for beginners and experienced crafters alike.
Jewellery making kits have become incredibly popular in New Zealand, offering a creative outlet that’s both relaxing and rewarding. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, a unique gift, or a way to spend quality time with friends and family, these kits provide everything you need to craft beautiful, wearable pieces.
Why Try Jewellery Making?
Creating your own jewellery offers benefits beyond just having a unique accessory. It’s a mindful activity that reduces stress, improves fine motor skills, and gives you a genuine sense of accomplishment when you wear something you made yourself.
Benefits of Jewellery Making
- Stress Relief: Repetitive crafting motions are meditative and calming
- Creativity: Express yourself through colour, texture, and design choices
- Unique Pieces: Create one-of-a-kind jewellery no one else has
- Thoughtful Gifts: Handmade jewellery makes meaningful presents
- Social Activity: Perfect for craft nights with friends
Types of Jewellery Making Kits
Beading Kits
The classic entry point into jewellery making. Beading kits typically include an assortment of beads, stringing material (elastic, wire, or thread), clasps, and basic tools. Perfect for creating bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Look for kits with quality Czech glass or semi-precious stone beads for more polished results.
Wire Wrapping Kits
Learn the art of wire wrapping to create intricate pendants and earrings. These kits include various gauges of wire, pliers, cutters, and often gemstone beads or crystals to wrap. Wire wrapping allows for stunning, professional-looking results once you master the techniques.
Resin Jewellery Kits
Create glossy, glass-like pieces by setting flowers, glitter, or small objects in clear resin. These kits include resin, hardener, moulds, and embellishments. Resin jewellery is hugely popular for its ability to preserve natural elements like pressed flowers.
Polymer Clay Kits
Mould, shape, and bake polymer clay into earrings, pendants, and beads. These kits come with multiple clay colours, tools, and often earring findings. Polymer clay is forgiving and perfect for beginners wanting to create trendy statement earrings.
Metal Stamping Kits
Personalise metal blanks with letters, numbers, and designs using stamps and a hammer. These kits create beautiful stamped pendants, charms, and dog tags. They’re ideal for creating personalised gifts with names or meaningful words.
Choosing Your First Kit
Not sure where to start? Consider what style of jewellery you love wearing.
Kit Selection Guide
- Love dainty jewellery? Start with beading or wire wrapping
- Prefer bold statement pieces? Try polymer clay or resin
- Want to personalise? Metal stamping is your answer
- Nature lover? Resin kits let you preserve botanicals
- Crafting with kids? Simple beading kits are best
What Makes a Good Kit?
Quality kits should include clear instructions (ideally with photos or video tutorials), sufficient materials to complete multiple projects, and decent quality components. Cheap findings tarnish quickly – look for kits with nickel-free or sterling silver components if you have sensitive skin.
NZ Jewellery Inspiration
New Zealand has a thriving jewellery scene. Draw inspiration from local designers who create stunning pieces.
NZ Jewellery Artists
- Nick von K – Bold, contemporary Auckland designs
- Boh Runga – Nature-inspired silver and gold pieces
- Cloud Nine – Affordable modern jewellery
- Louise Douglas – Elegant sterling silver designs
While you may not replicate their exact techniques at home, studying their designs can inspire your own creations. Many NZ jewellers started exactly where you are – with a simple kit and a passion to create.
Working with NZ Materials
Pounamu & Greenstone
While carving pounamu requires specialised skills and cultural consideration, you can incorporate small pounamu beads into your jewellery making. Purchase ethically sourced pounamu beads from reputable NZ suppliers and use them as centrepieces in beaded designs. Learn more about this precious stone in our pounamu guide.
NZ Native Botanicals
Resin jewellery is perfect for preserving NZ native flowers. Press and dry pohutukawa flowers, silver fern fronds, or kowhai blossoms, then set them in resin for uniquely Kiwi pieces. Always collect responsibly from your own garden.
Where to Buy Jewellery Making Kits in NZ
Online Craft Stores
Spotlight, Lincraft, and dedicated craft stores like The Bead Shop and Beads Online NZ stock comprehensive jewellery making supplies. Online shopping gives you access to the widest range of kits and components with nationwide delivery.
Warehouse Stationery & General Retailers
For beginner kits, check Warehouse Stationery, The Warehouse, and Kmart. These offer affordable starter kits that are perfect for trying out jewellery making before investing in higher-quality supplies.
Specialty Bead Shops
Auckland’s Bead Shop and Wellington’s Bead World offer in-person shopping with expert advice. Staff can help you choose appropriate kits for your skill level and interests.
Jewellery Kits as Gifts
A jewellery making kit makes a thoughtful, experiential gift. Unlike a finished piece of jewellery, it gives the recipient the joy of creation.
Great Gift Occasions
- Birthdays: Personalised to their style preferences
- Christmas: Perfect for summer holiday crafting
- Mother’s Day: A relaxing creative activity
- Teen Gifts: Trendy polymer clay earring kits
- Hen’s Parties: Group crafting activity
For more gift inspiration, see our NZ gifts guide and children’s gifts guide.