How to Use Crimping Beads & Cover

Crimp covers and beads add polish to a piece of designed jewelry.

Beaded jewelry is a popular craft to make and a fun hobby for all ages. It can be a lucrative home business or you could sell at garage sales. Finished projects make great gifts for family, friends and co-workers. Crimp beads and covers can give jewelry a professional finish to a designed necklace, bracelet or anklet. Crimp beads hide the knot, and crimp covers hide the crimp bead that connects the clasp and beads.

Things You'll Need

• Soft flex wire
• 2 crimp beads
• 2 crimp covers
• 1 lobster clasp
• 1 figure 8 ring
• 1 flat nose pliers
• Unfinished bead necklace

Instructions

1. Thread the wire through a crimp bead. Thread it through next to the lobster clasp and back through the crimp bead. Trim the tail or excess wire.

2. Place the crimp bead at the back of part of the pliers close to the handle. Gently squeeze the crimp bead closed. Tug lightly to make sure that the crimp bead does not pull out easily.

3. Place the crimp cover over the crimp bead. Place the crimp cover toward the front part of the pliers and gently close the crimp cover over the crimp bead.

4. Thread the wire from the finished necklace through a crimp bead. Thread it through next to the figure eight ring and back through the crimp bead. Trim the tail or excess wire.

5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to finish the necklace.

Tips & Warnings

• Crimp beads are only used for wire or nylon-coated wire.

• Purchase more crimp beads and covers than you need. Practice before you finish your designed jewelry.

• Leave a tail after the crimp bead to have room to work, then tuck the remaining wire through the bead.

• Close the crimp bead to look round and not flat. Check that the crimp cover is placed with the smooth part in the pliers before closing.

References

• Making Jewelry: How to Use Crimp Beads

Resources

• How To Make Beaded Jewelry