Beyond beadweaving is strung and wire-beaded jewelry — necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. A beading wire (the multi-strand coated wire for stringing), a findings pack (clasps, ear wires, crimps), a set of feature beads (gemstone, glass, metal), and the pliers (chain-nose, round-nose, cutters) for the wirework. The finished piece is jewelry you can wear or gift.
Plans
Choose a plan that fits your needs and budget
Item List
4Beads & Pliers
2 items
String & Findings
2 items
Plan Totals$91
String & Findings
2Total$91
FAQ
Common questions about this kit
Why beading wire (not thread)?
Beading wire (a multi-strand stainless cable coated in nylon) is strong, flexible, and drapey — the strung necklace hangs right and does not break. Thread stretches and snaps; fishing line is stiff and kinks. Beading wire (sized by strand count — 49-strand is the premium) is the stringing medium for durable jewelry.
What are findings?
The metal hardware that finishes a piece — clasps (lobster, toggle), ear wires (for earrings), crimp beads (that crimp onto the wire to hold a clasp), jump rings, headpins. Findings are the jewelry's skeleton; base-metal for practice, sterling or gold-fill for the real piece. A findings pack covers a dozen projects.
Why three pliers?
Chain-nose (flat, for gripping and crimping), round-nose (for making loops and curves in wire), and cutters (flush, for cutting wire clean). These three do the wirework of jewelry-making — the loops, the wraps, the crimps. A cheap plier set mars the wire; a smooth-jaw jewelry set is worth it. The three pliers are the jewelry-maker's core tools.
How do I crimp a clasp?
Thread the beading wire through a crimp bead, through the clasp, and back through the crimp; crush the crimp flat (with chain-nose) or fold it (with crimping pliers) to lock the wire; trim the tail. A well-crimped clasp holds for years; a poorly crimped one slips. The crimp is the structural joint of strung jewelry — learn it well.
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