Handmade Jewelry For Men: 7 Top Things You Need To Know

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Learn how to make unique handmade jewelry for men using these simple design tips to create pieces that guys will actually want to wear.

There’s a large emphasis on diy jewelry for women. But, what about handmade jewelry for men?

The guys shouldn’t be left out. They should have the opportunity to wear amazing and unique pieces too.

Time and time again, I’ve received questions from beaders who want to make jewelry for guys. After doing a little research, I’ve compiled the best tips for how to make handcrafted jewelry that males will actually want to wear.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and you’ll find men that will love the exact opposite of what I’ll recommend. Be sure to check with your customer first if you’re making a custom piece or have a target audience in mind and make jewelry that fits their taste.

How To Create Handmade Jewelry For Men

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1. Go For The Minimalist Look

Men like simple designs.

Create minimal strung jewelry instead of complex stitched patterns. Stitched beaded jewelry generally includes a lot of beads, even for simple pieces.

2. Avoid Too Much “Bling”

Most men gravitate towards matte finishes or those with a little sheen. Avoid anything that’s super shiny or sparkly. In fact, if you even mention the words “sparkly” or “glitter” to many men, they’ll look horrified.

When in doubt, choose natural gemstones e.g. lava beads or wooden beads over faceted glass beads.

3. Cord Jewelry Is A-Okay

You can’t go wrong with a cord bracelet or necklace.

There are tons of cord options to choose from. You can make anything from chunky paracord jewelry to thin macrame bracelets with beads interspersed between the knots. Leather cord is also a great choice.

4. Men Love Metal

Just because you’re making understated DIY jewelry for men, doesn’t mean it needs to be boring.

Add some interest to your designs using metal beads and findings in finishes like silver, copper and gold. These contribute to the personality of the overall piece without overwhelming it as long as you don’t add too many.

5. The Weakest Link?

Heavy and chunky chain styles are no longer trendy.

Instead, male necklaces are now being made with thin chain. You can add a simple pendant as the focal point and even create ones of different lengths so they can be layered together.

6. What Colors Should You Use?

In today’s society, where “real men wear pink”, men are embracing bolder color options than they used to. However, it’s not a bad idea to err on the side of caution when making jewelry for men.

Select muted or darker hues for your materials. Black, dark blue and brown are good starting points. You can even add in pieces made using a deep red or green.

Unless you have specifically been asked to make a custom jewelry piece in loud colors, stay away from baby blue, purple and other bright shades.

7. Make It Sturdy

Of course, you should always make the best quality jewelry possible. But, male jewelry should be sturdy especially if it’s for the rugged outdoorsy type of guy.

It needs to be able to stand up to all types of conditions including water, dirt and being knocked about.

Use chunky metal beads or durable gemstones and tough cords with findings that are securely attached with an appropriate jewelry glue.

Check out the Mohs Hardness Chart to determine which gemstones will suit your pieces.

If you’ve been struggling with how to create handmade jewelry for men, these tips should help. But remember, the best men’s jewelry will include what your customers are looking for specifically. Everyone’s tastes are different.

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