Crimps and Crimping

Crimping Correctly

Crimp beads are most often used when stringing a beaded piece, which has been strung with beading wire. The crimp beads finish the end of the beaded piece of jewelry and help create a loop for the clasp to be attached to. They can be used in the place of a bead tip or in addition to one in order to help keep the knot inside of the bead tip.
There are two kinds of crimp beads: tube shaped and round shaped. The tube shaped crimp beads are most often available in sterling or gold-filled, while the round are normally made of base metal. While it's all a matter a taste and preference, I have to say that I have found the tube shaped crimp beads to be much easier to work with. So, if you are new crimping, I would recommend starting with tubes.

To attach a crimp, follow these steps:
1. First hold the handles together, and take a look at the nose of the pliers. You'll notice two holes in the nose. The first is oval shaped, and the second is oval with a dip on one side.
2. Now take your crimp bead, and slip it onto the end of the beading wire.
3. Next, take the end of the wire and loop it back through the crimp bead leaving a small amount of extra wire as a tale.
4. Position the crimp bead and thread in the second oval of the pliers (the one with the dip), and close the pliers around the bead. You'll see it curl.

5. Next, turn the crimp bead to its side, position it in the first oval, and close the pliers around the crimp bead again so that you're compressing the curled bead into a rounded shape.
6. Once your crimp bead is secure, trim off excess thread. Now you have a good loop that can be used to hold your clasp.

Tips to consider:

. Add a second crimp to guarantee a secure crimp in heaveir strands
· So that the end of the beading wire does not scratch the wearer, make sure your last bead or two on the necklace is large enough so that a small amount of extra beading wire can be threaded back through. I have found that 4mm sized beads work very well for this.
· To keep the loop of your beading wire large enough, try inserting one side your your round-nosed pliers into the loop while you pull the wire tight.
· Use sterling tube shaped crimp beads rather than the base metal round beads. They are much easier to work with, especially for beginners.
· Do not expect perfection on your first, second, or even third try. As with any other jewelry technique, this takes practice in order to perfect your technique.