| Any good craftsman or hobbyist will tell you that | | | | cut the wire when you need to? And you will |
| to succeed in any project you need good tools. | | | | need to all the time! Some pairs are made with a |
| They don't need to be the very top of the line, | | | | sharp point that allows you to get very close to |
| but enough quality that they will do what they are | | | | make a cut that requires very little tucking when |
| supposed to do and last for a few years at least. | | | | the cut is complete. |
| They should also be comfortable so that you | | | | No self-respecting wire wrapper is going to |
| don't become fatigued or develop carpal tunnel | | | | undertake any project without a pair of round |
| syndrome working at your favorite beading | | | | nose pliers. They are specifically made to facilitate |
| project. | | | | wire wrapping or bending to form bends and tight |
| Honest craftsmen and hobbyists will also tell you | | | | wraps. To attempt these feats without round |
| that you can spend a fortune....well, a good chunk | | | | nose pliers is craziness and you'll have nothing but |
| anyway....on tools. Selecting some initial basic tools | | | | frustration to show for your hours of effort. |
| to get started and letting Santa Claus and | | | | If you choose to start with knotted jewelry or |
| birthdays fill in the rest is a sound plan. | | | | straight stringing of beads, then you will need a |
| So here are some basics to consider as you begin | | | | few other pieces of equipment. For either of |
| your tool collection. | | | | those options, it is imperative to have beading |
| For openers, you must decide what kind of | | | | needles and thread, or cord with an attached |
| beading you first want to undertake. Obviously, | | | | needle. In addition, you will need a pair of scissors. |
| you can't produce any loom work without a loom. | | | | Spending a little more on a pair of scissors once |
| But most beaders start with wire wrapping | | | | you decide to stay in the game will be worth |
| jewelry, making knotted jewelry or simply | | | | your while. Good scissors hold an edge (so they |
| stringing their chosen beads on a single piece of | | | | stay sharp longer), they fit your hand better and |
| wire, string or cord. | | | | they make a good clean cut every time. |
| Most craft and bead shops have wire wrapped | | | | Finally, tools, whether they are scissors or pliers, |
| jewelry starter tool sets for ten or fifteen dollars. | | | | should fit your hand. By this I mean that your |
| Such sets usually contain wire cutters, needle | | | | fingers fit in the holes in the scissor handles, the |
| nose pliers and round nose pliers. While there are | | | | three types of pliers do not require you to spread |
| other tools, such as a crimping tool, that will make | | | | your hand too far, and they don't rub or bind |
| the job even easier, the needle nose pliers will | | | | anywhere. All pairs of pliers (including crimping |
| nicely do the trick. So stick with the basic trio for | | | | tools) should automatically reopen whenever you |
| initial success. If you like wire wrapping, then you | | | | release them from holding something in their jaws. |
| can add to your tool box over time. | | | | This means you don't have to reopen them each |
| Needle nose pliers are ideal for getting into tight or | | | | time with your little finger or with the opposing |
| confined places because, as their name suggests, | | | | hand. Plastic-coated handles don't bind and provide |
| they have jaws that taper to a small point as | | | | the sharp edges that bare metal handles do. |
| they slope away from the handles. Needle nose | | | | Pliers with plastic-coated jaws are less likely to |
| also work well for closing crimp beads and the | | | | mar a piece of wire jewelry or crimp bead. At |
| various findings that you will use to finish your | | | | the same time, a standard pair of pliers will work |
| work. They are also ideal for tucking in the cut | | | | just fine. |
| ends of wire so that they don't cut someone or | | | | So pick up the trio of pliers or a needle and |
| catch the wearer's clothing. | | | | scissors and get started! |
| Side or wire cutters are a must...how else can you | | | | |