Health Benefits of Jewelry Making

There are some hobbies that are not only fun but rewarding as well. Jewelry making falls into that category. Making your own jewelry allows you to unleash your creativity. You can personalize your creation however you like. With jewelry so expensive – hundreds and even thousands of dollars – making your own jewelry allows you to save money.

Did you know that jewelry making offers health benefits as well? Jewelry making is a great hobby for people of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. It helps your mind because, in many ways, it is like putting together a puzzle. You have beads of many different colors, shapes, and designs, with the goal of pairing several of them and turning them into wearable art. This is no small feat, as jewelry making is much more than placing beads on a string. 

How else can jewelry making positively affect your health? Read on to learn more about this beneficial hobby.

Psychological Benefits

A study published in the International Journal of Aging & Human Development showed that jewelry making offered many psychological benefits for the participants. Many participants received compliments on their works of art, which made 24% of them happier and more self-confident. They reported high levels of satisfaction with their work and felt more relaxed. Working with beads and strings allowed the participants to relieve stress and forget about the stresses of everyday life. 

In another group, 24% of the participants felt a sense of accomplishment. They enjoyed mastering a new skill while making something of their own. 

Physical Benefits 

Working with beads can also improve your physical health. Because it eliminates stress, it helps reduce the risk of a heart attack and other conditions caused by stress. Jewelry making also increases energy levels, while reducing blood pressure. Instead of taking pills and medications to cure high blood pressure and a lack of energy, try beading, instead. It’s a fun way to stay healthy!

Cognitive Benefits

Jewelry making is especially beneficial for the very young and very old. Working with beads develops many useful skills for preschoolers, while seniors can benefit from the activity as well. Once they hit retirement, seniors often don’t challenge their brains as much, which can lead to cognitive disorders down the road. By participating in bead jewelry making, they keep their brains active. 

Jewelry making also develops creativity and imagination in people of all ages. Those who participate in this activity are able to create a piece of jewelry with their own unique designs. 

Developmental Benefits

Using beads to make jewelry is a great skill for young children to develop. That’s because the practice of making jewelry promotes development in many key areas. Children improve their fine motor skills by grasping beads of various sizes. Once the bead is in the child’s hand, it must then be transferred onto the string, which involves manipulation skills. According to Occupational Therapist Kimberly Voaden, jewelry making actually strengthens muscles in the hands. 

Using beads also improves visual perception and memory. When so many beads are available, children must be able to scan the inventory and select the right one. Once they choose the ones they want, they must then develop a pattern and remember it.

Visual motor skills are also improved through beading. Putting the bead onto the string requires hand-eye coordination.

Using beads to make jewelry also improves problem-solving skills in children. They must figure out what type of jewelry they want to create and what pattern to use. They must also determine how many beads to put in a pattern and how long the bracelet or necklace should be, which improves math skills.

Therapeutic Benefits

Jewelry making is used as a form of therapy. It is often done in hospital settings as a way to help patients cope with their illnesses. Patients are more relaxed and able to better understand their illness. They feel less stressed about their condition and feel more in touch with themselves. Working with beads turns a negative situation into a more positive one. It gets the patients’ minds off their illness and focused on an activity that will benefit their health in so many ways. 

Social Benefits

While some people may prefer to work on their bead jewelry alone, many like to work on projects in group settings. Jewelry making is a fun experience to share with others. You can compare designs with the group and ask for advice along the way. You can also talk and share stories as you create your bracelet or necklace. This is especially beneficial for seniors, who enjoy being social but are often left home alone with no one to talk to or do things with. Young children can also develop social skills by participating in a bead jewelry class.

Getting Started

Working with beads is fairly easy to do. You can purchase kits at craft stores and almost any store that has a toy department. There are many types of beads and patterns available. You may also be able to find classes in your area.

Start with a small kit and see how you like it. Many of these kits come with instructions to help you create more advanced patterns and designs. Once you master those, you can try out different sets. You can search online for unique beads to add to your collection. Beading can help you open up a whole new world of creativity. 

It has been known for quite some time that arts and crafts promote mental, emotional and physical well-being, and jewelry making is no exception. If you want to feel better about yourself and have fun at the same time, you can – without having to hit the gym. Grab some beads and string and melt away the tension as you create a unique piece of jewelry for yourself or a loved one.