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Beading Lesson

Beader’s Toolbox
By: Katie Hacker

Sponsored by:
Beadalon®

For tools and supplies
visit Beadalon.com

How To TV Online subscribers,
Watch the video for this
project online at howtotvonline.com

Round Nose Pliers	Round Nose Pliers have tapered round jaws that are used for making loops and curves.
Chain Nose Pliers	Chain Nose Pliers are a jewelry maker's version of needle nose pliers. Use them to bend wire at right angles and for opening and closing jump rings or wire loops. Bent nose pliers have bent tips, which makes them useful for reaching into small spaces between beads.
Flush Cutter	To make a smooth, close cut on beading wire or craft wire, use a flush cutter with small tips. Do not use them to cut memory wire. To cut memory wire, use special memory wire shears. Memory wire will ruin ordinary wire cutters.
	Choose beading scissors or snips with very sharp blades and small tips for cutting in tight places. Use them to cut beading thread and cord.
Tweezers	There are many different styles of tweezers. Keep them on hand to pull knots tight, pick up small beads and hold beads stationary.
Bead Reamer	A bead reamer is a round file that is used to enlarge, de-burr and round out bead holes. A battery-operated bead reamer is a real time saver. To use it, submerge a bead and the tip into a small bowl of water, and then ream the hole from both sides of the bead.
Split Ring Pliers	Split ring pliers have a pointed tip that helps separate the loops of a split ring. Use these pliers instead of fingernails to make attachments quick and easy.
Wire Looping Pliers	Wire looping pliers make it easier to form perfect loops on craft wire, head pins and memory wire. The round nose is graduated to help create three different loop sizes. The concave jaw presses against the round nose to form the loop.
Crimping Tool	Use a crimping tool with crimp tubes or beads for a secure, professional-looking finish. There are three different sizes of the crimping tool. Use the small crimping tool for #1 crimp tubes and beads. Use the regular crimping tool for #1-2 crimp beads and #2 crimp tubes. Use the large crimping tool for #3-4 crimp tubes and to attach EZ Crimp Clasps. To use a crimping tool, place a crimp bead or tube in the inner jaws of the pliers and squeeze hard. Remove the crimp bead or tube and rotate it so the crease is perpendicular to the outer jaw. Squeeze gently to fold the crimp bead or tube in half.
Bead Opening Tool	Use a bead opening tool to make your own crimp covers. The long, pointed part of the tool is called an awl. Place a seamed silver bead onto the awl and press down into the acrylic block to open the bead. Place the opened c-shaped bead over a crimp bead and use chain nose pliers or a large crimping tool to close the opened bead and hide the crimp.