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Tips For Beading TechniquesWe all need some great tips and techniques for beading, among other things, and a little help now and then. So here is a quick overview of some of our favorite ideas to really make your beading projects look professional and be really structurally sound. Finishing the Ends of a Bracelet or NecklaceThe first tip is for finishing off the ends of bracelets or necklaces. We all know that stringing the beads is the easy part so here is how you finish up your project securely.Wire protectors are a great invention that protect the wire from the strain of the jump ring and clasp and keeps all of your end loops the same size. Crimps are used to enclose two ends of the same wire creating a loop. You would then add jump rings and a clasp to the loop. Using the Wire Protector
At the end of the wire after your beads are loaded run the wire through a crimp then through one side of the wire protector. Then down through the other side of the wire protector then back through the crimp. You will have made an open loop.
Now pull the loop closed and snug against the beads.
This is how to Crimp
Now line up the crimp tool over the crimp using the clam shell shaped area squeeze over the crimp. This is stage one of the crimp closing.
Now place the crimp over the forward hole rotate the crimper so that the clam shell shape of the crimp is now up and down between the crimp jaws. Squeeze and the crimp will fold up on itself securing the wire inside.
This is How and Where to Cut
Although both end are basically finished the same way the first end is a little easier.1st End. Now it's time to push 3 or 4 beads up over both ends of the wire right up to the crimp. Cut off the wire sticking out, NOT the wire your beads are strung too. Now push all of your beads right up to the crimp covering a small section of the cut wire. End one finished. 2nd End. At the 2nd end you will thread your crimp and wire protector the same way as above. Bringing the end wire down through 3 or 4 beads. Then close the wire protector and crimp as above, being careful to adjust the beads close to the crimp as you go. At this point you want everything to be snug together. Once you have the wire protector and the crimp closed up and your beads strung snugly you will have one last wire end sticking out of you strung beads. Gently lift this away from the beads and slightly back towards the crimp. Lay wire cutters alongside the wire that is sticking out and cut the wire next to the beads and stinging wire.If you point the wire cutter at the wire you are very likly to cut the stringing wire in which case you have to start over.
You Are Finished.
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