| Creating beaded works of art? There are several | | | | pliers are probably the most important tool to get. |
| "must have" tools needed to get the job done | | | | In addition to beading, they can also be used for |
| correctly. Before making a trip to the craft store, | | | | wire-wrapping. Needle nose pliers are helpful for |
| become familiar with the function of each | | | | gripping and cutting materials. Round nose pliers, |
| implement. | | | | which are also called snub-nosed pliers, are similarly |
| Crimpers, needle nose pliers, round nose pliers, | | | | used for gripping. When working with small pieces |
| wire, jewelry wire cutters, crimping beads, a ruler, | | | | of wire, it is important to have pliers handy as |
| and a bead board (and possibly a bead spinner for | | | | they are made for grabbing delicate objects. |
| tiny seed beads) are the basics for making | | | | Some craft stores sell jewelry pliers, crimping |
| necklaces, bracelets and earrings. When shopping, | | | | tools, and wire cutters as a set. If purchased this |
| it is worth the money to buy quality tools. | | | | way, it is really important to label each tool as |
| Consider it an investment. | | | | they are probably the same color. Nothing is |
| Beading wire should be selected first. There are | | | | worse than grabbing for the crimping tool and |
| many different widths (gauges) and materials | | | | picking up wire cutters by mistake. Many a good |
| available to consumers. One of the strongest is | | | | project can be destroyed this way. |
| made from strands of stainless steel covered in | | | | Getting a twelve inch ruler and a bead board is |
| nylon. | | | | also helpful. Both aid in measuring the length of a |
| Jewelry wire cutters are stronger than scissors. | | | | necklace or bracelet. Bead boards are not |
| They aid in making a clean cut after the wire has | | | | imperative but they do help a lot with designing |
| been measured. This tool cuts by wedging the | | | | and stringing beads. The board, which is usually |
| wire apart. | | | | made of hard plastic, allows an artist to place the |
| Crimping tools allow the artist to close crimping | | | | decorative beads and make adjustments where |
| beads. What's a crimping bead? It is the piece that | | | | necessary. The board has numbers, like a ruler, |
| fastens the clasp to the beading wire. There are | | | | making it easy to measure the length of the |
| several types of crimping beads: ribbed crimps, | | | | project. Bead boards allow for a preview of the |
| crimp tubes, and tornado crimps. They come in | | | | finished work before the beads are put on the |
| different base metals - usually brass or nickel, but | | | | wire. The boards also have trays for holding extra |
| can also be found in silver, gold or the plated | | | | beads and spacers. |
| versions of each. | | | | Depending on the project, there may be other |
| Crimp tubes are probably the easiest to work | | | | useful tools. For example, if seed beads are used, |
| with, especially for beginners. When making | | | | a bead spinner makes the task of stringing these |
| jewelry, it is important to match the size of the | | | | tiny beads easier. Beads are "spun" onto the wire |
| crimping beads to the wire. If they don't match, | | | | with this tool instead of having to be hand strung. |
| clasps may come loose and the whole piece could | | | | Having the right tools is essential for crafting |
| fall apart. | | | | quality beaded projects. Mastering the use of each |
| Needle nose pliers and round nose pliers are helpful | | | | implement brings out the real artist within. |
| when working with fasteners and clasps. Jewelry | | | | |