Crimp Beads Video

    

1. When you are ready to attach a clasp (or any end-piece you are using in your design, such as a jump ring, or extender chain), first thread the end of your wire through a crimp bead.

2. Loop the wire through the clasp or extender chain, and then feed back through the crimp bead, forming a loop. It is a good idea to leave a tail of wire at least a couple of inches longer than you think you need so you will have some wire to work with.

3. Slide the crimp bead up close to the end of the clasp or end-piece. Check the crimp bead and make sure it is not too close to the clasp or end-piece. You want to have a small loop around the clasp or end-piece, but not so small that it holds the clasp so tightly that it cannot move freely.

4. You have two choices to close your crimp. If you have a crimping tool or crimping pliers, follow this next step (5). If not, follow the next step for chain nose pliers, below (step 7). To Achieve best results when using crimping pliers use Sterling Silver Crimps or Gold Filled Crimps Only. ( For Plated Crimps see step 7 )

5. You are now ready to squeeze the crimp bead shut. Place the crimp bead in the back channel of the crimping pliers, closest to the handle.( SEE DEMO BELOW ) Squeeze the pliers closed, gently but firmly. This will both flatten and place a dent in the crimp bead.

6. Place the dented crimp bead on it's side in the front channel of the crimping pliers, closest to the end. Basically, position the crimp bead so that it looks like the Letter C. You are positioning the bead upright like this so that when you close the pliers and squeeze, the bead will be folded closed right on the dent (bringing each end of the letter C together). Squeeze gently but firmly and make sure your crimp bead has tightly closed around the wire. Tug gently to make sure the wire doesn't pull free. Continue with Step 8.

7. ( THIS STEP IS FOR ALL CRIMP BEADS, PLATED OR STERLING SILVER OR GOLD FILLED, Round or Tube shaped ). Using Chain Nose Pliers (flat nose). Using regular flat or needle nose pliers works to close crimp beads, too. There is only one step to closing the crimp. Simply grasp the crimp bead with the flat section of the pliers. Squeeze gently but tightly to smash the crimp bead flat. Check to make sure the crimp bead is tightly holding the wire so it won't pull free.

8. String your beads. Thread your first bead onto the wire. Thread both pieces of flexible wire through the bead hole if possible. Use your flush cutters to cut the cord off as close as possible to the bead. Thread the rest of your beads according to your design until you reach the other end.

9. When you are ready to attach your final clasp to the end of your piece, thread the crimp bead and clasp just like before, but now you will want to tighten all of your beads by pulling on the tail end of the loose wire. This will snug all your beads up together, leaving no gaps in your design. If you need more leverage to pull the wire tight, use your pliers; one to hold the clasp and the other to grasp and pull the wire. Crimp your final bead, and you're finished!

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Find Crimp Beads listed under our Jewelry Supplies Category on the left side of our page:

Questions and Answers about Crimping

Q. I have had a few failures with crimp tubes sliding off or breaking. Is there something that I am doing wrong?

A. Usually when people have trouble crimping, it's because the crimps are too big for the wire. You want the wire to fill as much space inside the crimp as possible, so it may be necessary to change to a smaller sized crimp or a larger sized wire. We have a crimping tutorial where you can see the proper crimping technique (above). Keep these tips in mind:

• The inventor of the crimp tool recommends using a three-step method:

1. Place the crimp inside the outer jaws and squeeze gently to form an oval-shaped crimp.

2. Place the crimp inside the inner jaws and squeeze hard to crease the crimp across the center.

3. Turn the crimp 90-degrees and place it inside the outer jaws. Squeeze gently to fold and round the crimp.

• Make sure the wires are parallel inside the crimp. Wires that cross can prevent the crimp from creasing properly in Step 2.

• If you are crimping onto a single wire such as in an illusion design, place the wire to one side inside the crimp before using the crimping tool.

• It may be necessary to switch to a larger diameter of wire. Crimps work better when the wire fills the crimps as much as possible.

Remember not to over crimp. Squeezing the crimp too many times will cut the wire.

Making beaded Jewelry is easy and fun!