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• Bead Baubles and Jewels - Beading Lesson (102) • |
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Using Crimp Beads
by Katie Hacker
Sponsored by: Beadalon®
Crimp beads and tubes are tiny metal beads that flatten when squeezed with a crimping tool or pliers. You can use them with flexible beading wire to attach a clasp or create an illusion-style design. Crimp beads and tubes are available in a variety of sizes, which you choose based on the diameter of your beading wire.
A crimping tool is a special tool that you use to crimp the beads and tubes. The inner jaws make an indentation in the crimp bead or tube and the outer jaws fold the crimp bead or tube so that it is slightly rounded. The crimping tool makes crimp beads less noticeable in a design and gives you a more professional looking finish. It's important to use a crimping tool instead of regular pliers because, when you use regular pliers, you can accidentally cut into the beading wire.
To use the tool, place a crimp bead or tube inside the inner jaws and squeeze it hard. Remove the crimp bead or tube, turn it 90 degrees and place it in the outer jaws of the tool. Squeeze it gently to fold the crimp bead or tube in half.
To attach a clasp, place a crimp bead or tube about 1/2" from the end of the beading wire. Place the wire end through a clasp and place it back inside the crimp bead or tube to form a loop. Adjust the crimp bead or tube so that the loop is small and the clasp is secure, then use the tool to crimp it.
To create an illusion-style design, string a crimp bead onto the beading wire. Crimp it, then string beads and a crimp bead onto the wire. Crimp the crimp bead to hold the beaded section in place on the wire. |
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