| Like any other craft, jewelry making has a list of | | | | Crimping pliers have specially notched jaws that |
| essential tools that will make your hobby much | | | | are used to fold and crimp metal crimp beads. |
| more enjoyable and your results much more | | | | Wire cutters, preferably flushing cutting, are |
| professional. For the beginner it can be confusing | | | | essential for making clean, precise cuts on wire, |
| as the huge selection of tools available range from | | | | beading wire, eye pins and headpins. It may be |
| the basic to the specialist. However, there are | | | | tempting to use a pair of ordinary wire cutters to |
| certain jewelry making tools that should have a | | | | try and save money, but jewelry wire cutters |
| place in everyone's studio. | | | | are designed specifically for use with the different |
| The first thing to look at is your surroundings. | | | | types of wire used in jewelry making. A pair of |
| Tools don't just include pliers and cutters - the | | | | good wire cutters is an investment that will keep |
| definition also incorporates things such as | | | | their sharp cutting edge for far longer than a |
| adequate lighting, a suitable working area and good | | | | cheaper alternative. |
| storage facilities. Ask any jewelry maker or crafts | | | | Because you are using tools, safety must be a |
| person which is the most essential tool of all and | | | | consideration. A good pair of safety glasses is a |
| they will all tell you the same thing: good lighting. | | | | wise investment and although you won't need |
| Without adequate lighting you will find it harder to | | | | them for simple projects such as stringing beads, |
| do fine work and you risk straining your eyes. If | | | | cutting wire can produce small chips that can |
| you have directional lighting make sure that it | | | | damage the eyes very easily. You will also need |
| doesn't come from behind you, as you will end up | | | | to consider other safety measures if you are |
| casting your own shadow across your work, | | | | using glues and adhesives, so ensure that your |
| making it difficult to see fine details. | | | | working area is well ventilated. If you are using |
| Once you start making jewelry you will be | | | | any heat (such as kilns or gas burners) then |
| surprised how quickly you start to accumulate | | | | ensure that your jewelry making equipment |
| equipment, so apart from having a good working | | | | includes a heatproof surface to stand hot objects |
| area make sure you have plenty of storage | | | | on. |
| facilities. Findings or bead storage boxes are ideal. | | | | Finding a good supplier is your next task. There |
| They're strong and compartmentalized, meaning | | | | are plenty of jewelry equipment suppliers, so the |
| there are plenty of separate sections to keep | | | | first thing is to find one that has a reputation not |
| findings and beads stored safely. | | | | just for supplying the hobby market, but for |
| There are three basic types of pliers used for | | | | supplying the professionals as well. You can be |
| jewelry making; round nose, snipe nose and | | | | certain that the equipment they supply will be of |
| crimping pliers. Round nose pliers (also known as | | | | the highest standard. It is a case of paying for |
| rosary pliers) have rounded jaws that taper to a | | | | quality, but the bare essentials such as the three |
| point. They are used for bending wire and for | | | | basic pliers and a pair of wire cutters will give you |
| making loops, coils and spirals. Snipe nose pliers | | | | a good starting point. From then you can add |
| are semi-round with the inside of the jaws being | | | | equipment as you go along, including magnifying |
| flat. They are used for bending and wrapping wire, | | | | work lights, specialty pliers, reamers and, of |
| making loops and opening and closing jump rings. | | | | course, plenty of books on jewelry making! |