Glossary

Mini Torch

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Mini torches can be ideal for many jewelry projects, including drawing beads, fusing high-karat gold and fine silver, and torch-firing some enamels and precious metal clays. Although mini torches can be used for some smaller-project soldering, care needs to be taken to purchase the appropriate heatproof materials to use with them.

Wire Working

2009-11-12T18:35:00Z

Wire is a versatile jewelry design element that may be used to connect chain or beaded links, to embellish beads, to hang pendants, or create a number of elements like head pins, eye pins, ear wires, bails, pin backs, ring shanks, clasps, or just about anything you can imagine! Wire comes in a variety of shapes, gauges, and types of metal.

Awl

2009-11-12T18:34:00Z

Sometimes you just don't want to connect elements with loops, but rather a simple hole with a jump ring. Once you’ve flattened an end of wire, it takes just an awl and hammer to put a hole through it. No drill necessary.

Metal File

2009-11-12T18:34:00Z

If your cutters are not the best, a metal file is indispensable for quickly smoothing out unevenness or sharp ends.

B & S Gauge

2009-11-12T18:34:00Z

This thick steel tool is a measuring device for both wire and metal sheet. B & S is short for Brown and Sharpe (also known as American Standard or American Wire Gauge) and is a universal system for finding the gauge, or thickness, of metal. The larger the number, the thinner the metal. You can usually purchase a B & S gauge from a jewelry supply house, a well-equipped bead store, or from online jewelry tool vendors. If you are in Europe, a British Standard Sheet and Wire gauge is the equivalent tool.

Thread Burner

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This little tool was originally designed for sculpting wax molds, but beaders found a great use for it. The tip has a tiny heat element that works perfect for cleanly trimming thread close to beadwork.

Sharp Beading Needles

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The maneuverability of the shorter "sharp" or "straw" needles is perfect for off-loom work.

Ball Peen Hammer

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There are a lot of expensive, beautiful hammers out there, but an inexpensive ball peen hammer both flattens and it textures!

Wire Cutters

2009-11-12T18:32:00Z

It's good to have a pair of wire cutters used solely for cutting flexible beading wire—the steel is murder on blades. You can buy a cutters strictly designed for cutting steel and other blade-denting metals or do like me and employ one of your trashed flush cutters.

Sharp Embroidery Scissors

2009-11-12T18:32:00Z

A pair of these little pointy, extremely sharp scissors is a key component to any off-loomer's toolbox, not only for cutting thread but also for getting into tight trim spots for bead embroidery.

Crimping Pliers

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Crimping pliers have jaws with two notches: one collapses the crimp tube, the other shapes it.

Flush Cutters

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The pointy jaws of this cutter are flat on one side, V-shaped on the other. When you cut wire with this tool, you'll end up with one wire piece that has a flat, or flush cut, and another that's angled. Again, when aiming for a professional look, a flush wire cut is so much nicer to look at (and to wear) than a mangled angled one.
This is a tool that you will want a nice fine point on. The smaller and finer the cutters, the closer you can get into your work for a nice neat cut. However, you can ruin them on heavy gauge wire. Always buy yourself one fine flush cutter and one heavier duty cutter.

Round-nose Pliers

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Even though these pliers really only do one thing—bend loops—they are invaluable for getting a professional look. Round-nose pliers have smooth cylindrical jaws that taper to a point and less likely to bend or become misaligned. You can make a variety of loop sizes with this tool by simply moving the place on the jaws where you're bending the wire.
With conical jaws, they can make perfect loops and rings. If you need a tiny loop, the very tip of almost any round-nose pliers will do.

St. Petersburg Chain

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The unusual and striking pattern makes this stitch a delightful break from routine. With practice, watch it turn into a beautiful fringed lariat or a classic V-shape.

Thread

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Thread is one option for stringing material. Popular types include braided thread, nylon thread, pearl cotton, quilting thread, and silk thread. Thread will often need to be conditioned with a wax or conditioner before use to protect it from fraying and knotting.