Basic Beading Tools
Whether you bead with seed beads or are more interested in stringing, a few basic tools are required.
1. Side cutters and/or end cutters (to cut soft wires, jump rings etc.)
2. Chain nose pliers
3. Flat nose pliers
4. Round nose pliers
5. Crimping pliers
6. Thread cutter
7. Bead board
Even at an average of $3.50 each for basic quality, these tools add up to a lot of money in initial outlay.
There are 4 ways of saving money.
First is to buy a set of craft or beading pliers. A set usually includes 4 or 5 pliers, flat nose, round nose, chain nose, side, and end cutters.
Second is to save money by purchasing dual purpose tools when possible.
1. Rosary Pliers – these pliers have round noses and incorporate a side cutter.
2. Bent chain nose pliers – these pliers do everything that regular chain nose pliers do and have the added advantage of reaching odd angles and holding at different angles
3. For a thread cutter common embroidery scissors are just fine.
Leaving flat nose pliers and crimping pliers to buy separately and while you will be handicapped by not having these tools, they can wait.
Third is to purchase economy tools and wait to buy the better quality.
Fourth is to check the household toolbox. You are likely to find flat nose pliers commonly called electricians pliers, also having cutters. There might also be a pair of wire cutters. They will be larger and more unwieldy than crafting tools, but adequate for temporary use if you wrap the gripping area with tape to protect the wire or finding from scratches.
So where to buy the pliers? Any store that carries tools will often carry mini tools, but various craft stores and ebay will carry the crafting tools. I got my first set on ebay. I suggest you price various sets of crafting pliers. They should be at least 4 inches long for best ergonomics. I do have a set of miniature pliers. If you bead when traveling, or only now and then, they are adequate. Beading pliers (pliers made with beaders in mind) are also available in several discount stores that also carry craft supplies.
Remember that whichever tools you decide on, proper beading tools do not have ridges in their gripping area so if temporarily using a substitute set of tools, be sure to protect the parts by wrapping the gripping area with tape.
I did not address the beadboard. This is a relatively inexpensive item that is a major aid to designing and setting up your work. The alternative is to use a piece of cloth that will reduce the rolling and bouncing of beads. Which is actually a good thing to have and to place on your work area.
More in the next article.
Copyright 2009, JoAnne Green
