Bead Source | Brocktones

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Bead Chain

Bead Chain

Good jewelers that work with beads can spend a great deal of time finding the right materials for their pieces. Determining the right wire or thread, researching design styles, and testing out different options also impact the end result. The biggest area that people tend to overlook when working to improve their final product is jewelry tools.

Tool kits for beading usually have a cutter, pliers, a probe, and tweezers. With the strength of modern wires and threads, using scissors to cut your threading material is usually not advised, as ragged cuts can cause problems when threading the beads. Several different types of pliers are needed for bead work as the style required is determined by both the design of the piece and the material being used to support the beads. The probe is essential for moving small beads into place and adjusting their position. Tweezers come in handy when sorting and picking up small beads for threading.

When you pick a cutter for your jewelry tools set, quality is the name of the game. Invest in a higher strength micro shear cutter with a tapered head if you can, which will allow you the strength to cut wire as well as the ability to get into tight spots for finishing work.

Pliers come in many shapes and sizes and depending upon what type of threading material you're using you'll need several different kinds. Round nose and flat nose pliers are the basics, and aim to get a soft foam grip to reduce fatigue in your hands from extended use. Chain nose pliers are also useful for detail work if you're working extensively with wire, and needle nose pliers may be handy for smaller areas in your pieces.

Both a probe and tweezers are used to sort and handle smaller beads. Stainless steel is the best option for both, and while usually only one basic probe is needed, a few different types of tweezers can come in handy. Flat tips and curved tips handle beads and angles differently so check the different types out and see which fits your needs best.

Jewelry tools make quite a difference in the quality of your finished piece. Cleanly finished, well strung work allows the beauty of the jewelry itself to be seen and lets your designs shine.

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