Jewelry & Beading

Jewelry Making Safety Tips

by Tammy Powley on June 7th, 2005

Depending on the type of jewelry you make, there are numerous hazards the beginner or even advanced jewelry maker needs to be aware of while making jewelry. From toxic fumes to dangerous equipment, a lot has already been written about the safety precautions jewelry makers need to take. (Take a look at web sites like Lapidary Journal.) However, I think it is also important to consider the safety of those around you, especially children and pets. Though I don’t have any human children in my house, I do have five furry children, four cats and one dog, who are always into something and always interested in what “Mom” is doing.

A bead, pieces of wire, or a rawhide hammer can turn into a fun but dangerous toy when tiny hands or paws latch onto it. I recently wrote about organizing one of my work areas, and when I organize, I always consider the safety of my animals. Here are a few tips that might help you keep your little loved ones safe.

1. Avoid the use of glass containers. Small bottles or jars (like baby food jars) seem great for storing beads or small items, but they can easily roll off a work area and break.

2. Always store needles safely. If you are in the middle of a bead weaving project, remove the needle from the thread and store it in one of those wooden needle cases.

3. Be aware of loose beads. These can become choking hazards to children and pets. I’ve even heard of animals getting things like plastic tabs from bread bags lodged in their mouths, so remember that small items of any kind can be very dangerous.

4. Keep wire stored in containers or large zip lock bags, even and especially small pieces that could be swallowed.

5. Avoid working with glass or glue in the house. I keep all my glass work in the garage. I also make sure that I remove my shoes before entering the house. Yes, it’s hot out there, but a tiny shard of glass could have disastrous affects on an unprotected paw or baby’s hand.

6. Store hand tools safely away. Dogs love rawhide, and not only can they destroy your rawhide hammer, it can cause them to become very ill or if they are large enough, they could even swallow it.

7. Be aware of “eye level” hazards. I keep my beading and wire jewelry work area in a family room that is closed off to my cats. Only my dog has access to this room (he likes to keep away from the cats). When I’m done working on something, I move it far back on the desk because his nose is almost level with the desk. Very tempting items like polishing clothes or rawhide hammers I keep tucked away in one of the desk drawers.

8. Don’t count on cleaning up after working. The phone could ring. Someone might be at the door delivering more jewelry supplies. You never know when you could be called away and forget that you have left something out on your work area. Put questionable items away right after you use them.

9. Keep threading mediums like rolls of twine, leather, or Nymo stored away. These can be choking hazards to both animals and children.

10. Every once in a while, take a personal safety survey. I know my work area gets messy about five minutes after I clean it. Things that I thought I had put away sometimes aren’t.

I’m sure you could probably add to this list, but these are a few ideas to get you started thinking about creating an environment that is both good for jewelry making and safe for those you love.

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