Beading and Jewelry Making Tools

From Artbead.com

Jewelry Starter Tool Kit
beading, jewelry making tools

Wyr Knittr® Wire Mesh Knitter Kit and Accessories
beading, jewelry making tools

Wild Wire Deluxe Value Pack Tool Kit
beading, jewelry making tools

Beading and Jewelry Making Tools

Pliers and Wire Cutters
Cutters
Knotting Tools
Clamps and Tweezers
Adhesives
Other Tools

Beading Supplies
Beads
Findings

Please click here for more information or to order available beading and jewelry making tools.
(Blue type on the chart below indicates a tool available for purchase.)

Pliers and Wire Cutters
Pliers are hand tools designed for gripping objects by using leverage. Many types of pliers include jaws for cutting.
Sidecuts A basic tool for cutting wire and thread close to beads and for cutting tiger tail.	Bead Nipper
Bent Nose Pliers Bent chain nose pliers have angles tips for bending wire in tight spots.	Chain Nose Pliers Chain nose pliers have smooth, flat jaws that taper to a point, are used to grip and bend wire.
Crimping Pliers Crimping pliers are used specifically for securing crimp beads to the ends of flexible beading wire.	Flat Nose Pliers Flat nose pliers have smooth jaws that come to a fine, even tapered tip to securely grip wire and other flat objects. Use to close crimps and fastenings.
Long Nose Pliers Tips may be either flat (smooth or serrated) or round.	Nylon Jaw Pliers The nylon jaws on these pliers are ideal for holding and straightening wire without marring the finish.
Round Nose Pliers Round nose pliers have tapered, smooth, conical jaws for making round wire loops.	Split Ring Pliers Split ring Pliers are designed to help you open and work with jump rings and split rings.
Cutters
Wire cutters have sharp blades that will cut wire with a clean, close, flush cut that leaves no burrs that can snag or scratch.
Memory Wire Cutter This hard wire shear is ideal for Memory Wire and other hard wires.
Scissors and Shears Used to cut thread or metal. Scissors should be small and sharp.
Knotting Tools
Bead Knotting Pliers For traditional or contemporary bead or pearl knotting designs, these bead knotting pliers with a fine tip on the jaws make the job easy.	Beading Awl Use a beading awl to ensure that each knot tightens closely against the bead. An awl may also be used to loosen a stubborn knot.
Clamps and Tweezers
Tweezers are tools used for picking up small objects that are not easily handled with the human hands. A clamp, is a device used to hold an object in a fixed position. For grasping and placing beads and other small items, tweezers and clamps are essential.
	Hemostat Clamp, Smooth or Serrated Jaws Originally designed for medical purposes, this handy tool works perfectly as temporary clamps for small articles, such as the end of your beading wire before crimping.
	Bead Tweezers These round-end tweezers are excellent for picking up tiny findings and beads and even delicate beads without scratching. Other beading tweezers.
	Bead Nabber Perfect for picking up and holding small beads, the bead nabber fits over your finger tip and you just dab at beads to pick them up.
Adhesives
A fast-drying cement is used to end knots to prevent unraveling.
	Crystal-clear, strong, and quick-drying, Bond 527 adhesive bonds ceramics, gemstones, shells, china, glass, metal, tile, leather, wood, plastics and other porous and nonporous surfaces. E6000 Adhesive A special formulation adhesive/sealant for high-performance industrial requirements, E6000 is abrasion resistant, waterproof, and flexible. It adheres to wood, concrete, ceramics, rubber, glass, and plastics.
Other Tools
	Gauge
	Ruler Marked in inches and millimeters.
	Needle Threader This work on larger eyes beading needles.
	Bead Loom Looms are ideal for traditional and contemporary loomed beadwork. The American Indian loom is a must for belts, jewelry, and headbands.
	Design Board Used to layout your bead design (single or multi-strands) before stringing. A flocked surface keeps the beads from rolling.
Trays and dishes are used to hold beads, threads, findings, and needles while in use. Storage jars, flip-top boxes, storage boxes, and zip-top, transparent plastic bags may be used to store beads. Bead Scoop and Compartmentalized Bead Tray
Lighting Good lighting is essential to ovoid eye strain when working with beads, Magnifiers Magnifiers will make your seed bead work and other small tasks easier.
	Hammer Several styles of metalwork hammers can be used to change the shape and texture of metals.
	Files and Reamers Use files to smooth the cut ends of wire or other metals. Reamers will enlarge drilled bead holes.
	Rock Tumbler Used to polish metals and tumble rocks into smooth objects that may be drilled and used as beads or set into jewelry.
Soldering Pencil/Gun and Solder A good butane micro torch is a great tool for jewelry makers. Use it to make ball headpins that can add an extra element of artistry to your piece of jewelry. Polishing Cloths Wipe away tarnish and polish silver and other metals to a brilliant shine with polishing cloths.
Beading Supplies
Beads Beads come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. Sizes range from 8° to 25°. The larger the number, the smaller the bead size. Beading thread comes in a variety of sizes and comes waxed or unwaxed. Thread comes in sizes AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, FF, and G with AAA being very fine and G very thick. Beeswax Used to reduce thread tangling and fraying. Beading needles and flexible needles are longer than standard sewing needles, enabling you to string multiple seed beads and other beads. Sharps, which are shorter than beading needles, provide greater leverage for bead embroidery on fabric. Beading needles come in sizes 10-16. The larger the number, the thinner the needle.
Findings
Findings are bead tips, clasps, jump rings, etc. These are used to join your work together so it may be worn. Some findings are shown below. See Beading and Jewelry Making Terms for definitions and uses.
Bead Tip	Clasps
Cone	Cord End
Crimp Bead	Crimp End
Earrings	End Bar Link
Head Pins and Eye Pins	Link
Spacer Bar	Split Rings

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