How to Use Crimp Pliers

Crimping pliers are used for jewelry making projects involving crimp beads. Crimp beads are small, metal beads that are placed before a pendant or clasp to hold a piece of jewelry in place. Crimp beads are often used on tiger tail jewelry thread or other non-stretchy string. These special beads hold together loops and are an alternative to knotting the string. In order to keep the crimp bead in place, use the crimping pliers to "close" the bead and secure it on the jewelry thread.

Things You'll Need

• Crimping pliers
• Crimp bead

Instructions

1. Hold the crimping pliers in your dominant hand and the threaded crimp bead in the opposite hand.

2. Push the crimp bead into the back of the crimping pliers so that the bead is positioned in the opening next to the hinge.

3. Squeeze the handles of the pliers together to close the opening and crimp the bead. (ref 1)

4. Give half-crimped bead a quarter turn. (ref 1) Set the bead into the opening next to the nose of the pliers. This is the opening furthest from the hinge.

5. Repeat Step 3. This will round the crimp bead.

References

• Creativity Inc.: Basic Beading Techniques by Blue Moon Beads