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Long-nose pliers are used tobend or hold small pieces that maybe difficult to handle. Use caution, asthe teeth on these pliers may mar thefinish of the piece.

Round-nose pliersare used to makesmall round loopsin wire or at theends of eye pinsand head pins.

Wire cutters are neededto cut wire or pins.

Using the proper tools will produce higher qualityand more professional-looking jewellery.

BASIC TOOLS

Making YourOwn Jewelry:

Tools, Tips &Techniques

Wirecutters

3 in 1Jewelrymakerstool

CAUTION: Wear eye protectionwhen working with wire.

Pliers

NOTE:Not for use withhardened wire.

These are the most basic tools for working with wire

and jewelry findings. For the most convenience andeconomy, THE BEADERY offers its innovative3 in 1 jewelers tool:

Roundnosepliers

project sheet 0504

Earring Hook(UK: Long Ballwire)Used to complete hanging earringsby hooking the head pin or eye pinthrough the loop.

Head PinA blunt-tipped straight pin made of jewelry wire.Used for making hanging earrings or pendantsfor necklaces and bracelets. Beads are strung on,then a loop is made to attach to the jewelry.

Eye PinSimilar to a head pin. In addition tostringing on beads, eye pins may be con-nected to other pins by the loop in theend.

Fold-over Bead Tip(UK: Calotte)Used to hide the knots at the beginning andend of bead strands.

Spring Ring(UK: Bolt Ring)

Lobster Claw(UK: Trigger Clasp)

Eyeglass HolderUsed to attach a string of

beads to eyeglasses.

ClaspsUsed to close necklaces and bracelets.

Jump Rings (round or oval)Used to connect pieces together, such as aclasp to a bead tip at the end of a necklaceor bracelet.

JEWELRY FINDINGS

S-Clasp(UK: Heavy Hook)

Toggle

Examples of Closure Ends

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Bend end Trim endString on

and close loopStart loop

Overhand KnotUsed to hold beads in place on a cord.

Slip KnotUsed to temporarily preventbeads from coming off thecord while you work. Makean overhand knot but dontpull the end through. Theknot can be easily undone

by pulling the loops tail.

USEFUL KNOTSFOR JEWELRY MAKING

Opening a Jump RingUse long-nose pliers to twistopen the jump ring as shownin the diagram above. Toclose the ring, twist the two

ends back together.

Used to secure tigertail wire ends or tolock a bead in position

on a chain. A specialcrimping tool is usedto tighten a crimpbead.

Overhand Loop KnotUsed to make a loop at the beginningof a bracelet or necklace. A bead orhook closure at the other end forms aclasp.

Square KnotUsed to finish a necklace or

bracelet without findings.First tie right over left, thenleft over right.

Use a needle to guide an overhand

knot into a bead tip when tying offa necklace or bracelet.

OTHER HELPFUL ITEMSA professional bead board is helpful for laying out patternsof beads before stringing. The bead board, a beading mat, or

a towel on the table will prevent the beads from rolling.

Beading thread is stronger than sewing thread and wontfray so easily. Tigertail is coated, twisted wire that is usedwhen extra strength

is needed.

Tweezers and a small spoon are helpful for

sorting and picking up small beads.Beading needles are longer and thinner than regularsewing needles. Some are made of flexible wire with an easy-to-thread large eye that closes slightly when the needle isthreaded through a bead.

Making a Loop

Surgeon's KnotTie a straight knot as in thefisrt step of a square knot.Begin a second knot and wrapone thread through the loop 3times and then tighten.

Using crimp Beads

Wire Wrapping Beads

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HANDY TECHNIQUES

To create a decorative look, beads may be wrapped in wire. Spiralwire around bead and use a 3 in1-tool or round nose pliers totighten and conform wire to bead shape.

TIP

Knots can be secured with adab of glue or clear nail polish.

1993-2005 Greene Plastics Corporation

Linear Crystal Drop EarringMaterials needed to make one pair of earrings:6 head pins silvertone

6 eye pins silvertone

22 4mm round beads silvertone

2 9mm jumprings silvertone

2 ear wires silvertone

30 crystal bugle beads silver lined

1 pkg. elements med crystal asst.(from The Beadery #1274H 389)

Begin by sliding an elements

bead onto a head pin and

making a loop as shown.

Add onto an eyepin and close

loop. Slide on one 4mm silvertone

bead, one elements bead, one

4mm silvertone bead, five bugle

beads and one 4mm silvertonebead as shown. Repeat steps 1

and 2 two more times for a total

of three dangles.

Open a jumpring and slide

on two 4mm beads, and

the 3 dangles as shown.

Slide on earwire and

close jumpring. Repeat

steps 1-4 for second

earring.

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