How to Create a Crimp

A proper crimp is important to secure any work

Using a crimp bead to finish your handmade jewelry is the best way to guarantee a safe and secure closure to your project. A crimp bead is a small metallic bead that is designed to be flattened over your thread or wire to ensure proper placement of your beaded work. Used to attach clasps, between large beads to keep them in place, and to add findings to your projects, a proper crimp is an important feature of any project. Here’s how to create one properly.

Things You'll Need

• Crimping tool
• Crimping beads
• Crimp bead cover (optional)
• Beaded project

Instructions

1. 

   Purchase the proper supplies. Your first purchase should be a crimping tool. This tool acts like pliers and is used by placing the bead in the appropriate slot at the tip and then squeezing the handle together. The multiple slotted tip is the key to the tool, and is needed to create a proper crimp.

2. 

   Select the proper crimp bead. The thin metal crimp beads come in a variety of materials and sizes. As this will be used to secure beads, findings and clasps to your projects, it is best to select the highest quality available. Sterling silver or gold-filled beads work best and should be considered based upon your project design. Size is also important, the most common being 2x2 mm. This also is dependent upon your project and how many strands of wire or thread you will be securing.

3. 

   Place your crimp bead in the first notch of the tool and press, flattening the bead into an oval. Check your thread/wire placement. Move the bead to the back notch and press down gently. This will create a “V” like pattern in the flattened bead, anchoring each strand to one side of the bead. Take the flattened bead and place it again in the first notch, rotating it 90 degrees so that the bead sits horizontally between the slots. Press gently, rounding the bead again.

4. 

   Place a crimp bead cover over the crimp you just completed. This is an optional step, but recommended as it provides a nice finish to the crimp, and also protects it from wear. Once the cover is in place, use the crimp tool and gently close the opening, causing it to form a bead over the crimp.

Tips & Warnings

• Before beginning a project, attach one half of your clasp to your project with a crimp bead. Then string your beads over both wires to add extra security to that end.

• Use extra crimps on any piece that has heavy beads to give extra support to the project and keep the weight from pulling on the crimp.