How to Crimp a Bead

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By Brightlings Beads
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Crimping Technique

The crimping technique is often used to finish the ends of a bracelet or necklace. A special tool called a crimping plier is used along with crimp beads.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Crimping Pliers
Crimp Bead

Step 1

The first thing you want to do is notice the difference in the jaw of the crimping plier compared to other pliers. If you close the jaw of the plier, you will notice two "cut outs." The one toward the front looks like a half circle cut out of both the top and bottom of the jaw, forming a "hole" in the jaw. The one toward the rear of the jaw has a half circle cut into the bottom and a "V" shape cut into the top jaw.
Step 2

When you are done stringing your beads, place your crimp onto the stringing material followed by one end of your toggle or clasp. Take the end of your stringing material and go back down through the crimp and a couple of the beads adjusting your stringing material to form a loop that is now holding part of your clasp or toggle. Make sure you don't pull this loop too tight against your clasp or toggle. You will want to leave a little play here. This is where you will begin the two-step crimping process.
Step 3

The rear cut out is the one that y you will use first to "dent" your crimp in the middle with a firm squeeze. You then want to position the "dented" crimp into the "hole" toward the front of the plier and bend it in half by again giving the plier a firm squeeze. your crimp should basically look like you've bent it in half if you've done these two steps correctly. Give a gentle tug on the stringing material to make sure your crimp is tight.