Stringing Guide
Part 3: Crimps, Tips, and Endings
That's a lot to take it! But now it's time for the most important question: What do I use to finish my project? When a
top designer or buyer is selecting jewelry often the first thing they'll look at is the finishings. It is easy to tell the
professional finish from the bad one, and it can literally make or break a piece. Here are lots of the common
finishing products and where to use them. For techniques and how to use each of these best, see our techniques
page.
top designer or buyer is selecting jewelry often the first thing they'll look at is the finishings. It is easy to tell the
professional finish from the bad one, and it can literally make or break a piece. Here are lots of the common
finishing products and where to use them. For techniques and how to use each of these best, see our techniques
page.
Straight Stringing:
All straight stringing projects that are made on stringing wire like Soft Flex or Beadalon, should be ended with
crimp beads. Don't try to knot your endings. They are too liable to slipping or breaking.
You will need:
crimp beads. Don't try to knot your endings. They are too liable to slipping or breaking.
You will need:
- Crimp beads in the appropriate size
- A clasp
- Crimp Bead Covers
- Wire guardians, for a more finished look
Leather and Cord
1x1 Crimps (or micro-crimps):
These are perfect for very fine wires, like Beadalon .010. A larger crimp is more likely to slip off such delicate wire.
You should flat crimp these with needle nose pliers, or use a micro-crimping plier, which is specially designed for
them. They are also used when making floats on wire to secure the suspended bead units.
These are perfect for very fine wires, like Beadalon .010. A larger crimp is more likely to slip off such delicate wire.
You should flat crimp these with needle nose pliers, or use a micro-crimping plier, which is specially designed for
them. They are also used when making floats on wire to secure the suspended bead units.
1x2 Crimps:
These are large enough to accommodate .014 wire, but do not show up as much as a 2x2 crimp. You can use
them for finishing a regular necklace, but they are not as strong as a regular crimp bead. These are good for
feather-light necklaces where you don't want the bulk of a large crimp.
These are large enough to accommodate .014 wire, but do not show up as much as a 2x2 crimp. You can use
them for finishing a regular necklace, but they are not as strong as a regular crimp bead. These are good for
feather-light necklaces where you don't want the bulk of a large crimp.
2x2 Crimps (standard crimp beads):
This size is used for nearly every beading project. If you are only plan to buy one type of crimp beads, this is the
one you want. They will hold heavy beads and work with the standard crimping pliers.
This size is used for nearly every beading project. If you are only plan to buy one type of crimp beads, this is the
one you want. They will hold heavy beads and work with the standard crimping pliers.
3x3 Crimps:
This size can be used on large wires such as .019 and .024, but smaller wires will slip out. They are great for
multi-strand necklaces and organza necklaces, and they will fit cords and beading chains.
For a multiple strand project you can flat crimp more than 4 strands together and then hide the crimp with a large
holed bead, and continue the necklace by finishing it along a single strand. Then you can end the single strand at
the back with a 2x2 crimp bead.
This size can be used on large wires such as .019 and .024, but smaller wires will slip out. They are great for
multi-strand necklaces and organza necklaces, and they will fit cords and beading chains.
For a multiple strand project you can flat crimp more than 4 strands together and then hide the crimp with a large
holed bead, and continue the necklace by finishing it along a single strand. Then you can end the single strand at
the back with a 2x2 crimp bead.
- Crimp Beads
- Crimp Bead Covers
As far as we're concerned, these are the best thing ever created for beaders!
They hide the crimp bead and make the design look truly professional.
The standard size are designed to cover 2x2 crimp beads, although you can put
them over 1x1 and 1x2. You might find they "wriggle" a bit more like this.
For 3x3 crimp beads, you can use large crimp bead covers.
For more on using them see our techniques.
They hide the crimp bead and make the design look truly professional.
The standard size are designed to cover 2x2 crimp beads, although you can put
them over 1x1 and 1x2. You might find they "wriggle" a bit more like this.
For 3x3 crimp beads, you can use large crimp bead covers.
For more on using them see our techniques.
- Wire Guardians
These are another fabulous jewelry invention! They cover the wire that runs through the clasp
to create a solid loop. This protects the wire, makes the clasp more flexible, and adds clarity to
the design. For more on using wire guardian see our techniques.
to create a solid loop. This protects the wire, makes the clasp more flexible, and adds clarity to
the design. For more on using wire guardian see our techniques.
Unfortunately there is no rule to finishing leather and cord. Crimp ends, if you can
find a size that fits, are a great solution. You may also be able to use a 3x3 crimp
bead on finer cords. If your cord doesn't quite fit, take a pair of sharp wire cutters
and trim the cord to create a sharp point at the end. You will now be able to feed it
into the crimp better. Make sure it is really secure once crimped.
You can also create a crimp end by tightly coiling wire around the end of the cord
until it is secure, then wire-wrapping a loop.
find a size that fits, are a great solution. You may also be able to use a 3x3 crimp
bead on finer cords. If your cord doesn't quite fit, take a pair of sharp wire cutters
and trim the cord to create a sharp point at the end. You will now be able to feed it
into the crimp better. Make sure it is really secure once crimped.
You can also create a crimp end by tightly coiling wire around the end of the cord
until it is secure, then wire-wrapping a loop.
Knotting and Threads
Finishing knotted jewelry can be quite an art form. Check out our PDF Handouts for some of the knotting
techniques. There are three main products that are used in these endings: traditional end tips, clamshells, and
bullion.
Traditional End Tips: These are our favorite way of ending a basic knotted necklace or bracelet. They are neat,
easy and let you add any kind of clasp to the ends.
Clamshells: These are designed to hold a final knot inside, hiding the ending. We like these for thread floats, but
traditional end-tips are more universally useful.
Bullion: You may have noticed that a lot of high end jewelry is finished with little coils of bullion. They cover the
same idea as the wire guardians, hiding the end of the thread and protecting part of the necklace that will get a
lot of wear. This stuff is tricky to use, but a good technique to have in your pocket.
techniques. There are three main products that are used in these endings: traditional end tips, clamshells, and
bullion.
Traditional End Tips: These are our favorite way of ending a basic knotted necklace or bracelet. They are neat,
easy and let you add any kind of clasp to the ends.
Clamshells: These are designed to hold a final knot inside, hiding the ending. We like these for thread floats, but
traditional end-tips are more universally useful.
Bullion: You may have noticed that a lot of high end jewelry is finished with little coils of bullion. They cover the
same idea as the wire guardians, hiding the end of the thread and protecting part of the necklace that will get a
lot of wear. This stuff is tricky to use, but a good technique to have in your pocket.
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