| There are several tools of the beading trade that | | | | problem for women since they tend to have |
| come in very handy, but three stand out as | | | | smaller hands on average. It may be necessary |
| necessities: Round nose pliers (also known as chain | | | | to look at several brands and look for smaller |
| nose pliers), needle nose pliers, wire cutters, also | | | | tools. |
| known as and side cutters. As nice as it is to | | | | Failure to find a pair that is comfortable for your |
| have an array of tools, you can do all you'll ever | | | | hand means that your hand will have to spread |
| need or want to do with these three tools. | | | | wider than normal just to make the tool work |
| Trying to wrap wire without round nose pliers | | | | effectively. This tends to cause cramping over |
| may not be crazy, but it's a close second. They | | | | time. It is also important to find pliers and |
| are specifically designed to shape a piece of wire | | | | crimpers that have a spring in the hinge device so |
| in uniform tight coils. They make wire wrapping | | | | that they automatically open following each cut, |
| far easier and faster, and are essential to | | | | wrap or crimp. This also prevents cramping |
| completing beautiful wire wrapped jewelry. | | | | because it eliminates the need to reopen the tool |
| Needle nose pliers are great for getting into those | | | | jaws with the little finger. |
| tight places, but the work just as well for crimping | | | | Another important step is to make sure the tools |
| a bead or tucking a cut end. | | | | have rubber- or plastic-coated handles so there |
| Lastly, you certainly need side cutters in order to | | | | are no sharp edges to cause blisters or other |
| end wraps, develop a length of wire for a certain | | | | sore spots. |
| wrap and to clean up any sharp ends that won't | | | | Take care of your tools by keeping them |
| tuck. | | | | lubricated with a little oil on occasion. Store them |
| All three should be at least average quality so | | | | in a box, drawer or carrying case reserved just |
| that they will last and perform well. Tools made | | | | for them. This helps to prevent abrasion and |
| of soft steel, for example, will tend to become | | | | wear. Keeping them in a carrying case makes it |
| pitted, or the central hinge will not work smoothly | | | | easy to grab them and go to another location for |
| over time, and the side cutters will not hold a | | | | a beading session. |
| sharp uniform cutting edge. All three tools should | | | | If you're just starting out, be sure to put this tool |
| comfortably fit your hand. This is especially a | | | | trio in your tool kit first. |