I think the biggest barrier to entry is probably soldering things(slash getting and using a torch in general), but you can make beautiful things without one! You can use rivets and wire wrapping to attach pieces together mechnically and use wire wrapping to mount stones! A torch is still very helpful for annealing metal to make it softer (because it hardens as you work it) but you could probably use a small butane torch or maybe even a lighter for that. I'd say all you really need is a rivet hammer (for rivets and texturing), a small steel plate and a vice (I'd also recommend a bench pin but you could make one yourself easy enough) to hammer against and hold pieces, a jewellers saw (it's like a coping saw but you can adjust the tension), a file, a couple good pairs of pliers, and a drill. I'd recommend a small drill press but a hand drill can work fine. Which, now that I say it seems like a lot of stuff to get started, but it doesn't include any really expensive items, you know? The drill is the only power tool and you probably already have one if you're a maker kinda person. Copper and brass are pretty cheap, I order my stuff from rio grande and I like working with it cause if I screw up I don't have to worry about wasted material costs hahaha.

This is something I made without soldering!