Accessories for beading

There are plenty of tools and gadgets essential to beading, and there are others that aren’t essential but are very useful. Here are some of the extras you can buy to help make beading easier:

Thing-a-ma-jig

This is used for beading with wire, and making wire shapes. It is a large board, with holes for ‘pins’. These ‘pins’ can be moved around the board, and are used as a frame for your wire design.

Jump ring opener

This is a ring with slots in it. The idea is to wear it, then place the jump ring into a slot, and twist it. This will open the jump ring and help close it without it becoming out of line.

Crimping pliers

These are pliers will a special end that is designed to clasp shut a crimp ring. Crimp rings are used to hold other rings in place.

Bead reamers

These may look like torture implements, but they exist only help you. Reamers are designed to enlarge holes on the inside of a bead or to smooth the inside of a bead in order that it doesn’t cut through the thread. They are designed for use on stone, ceramic or glass beads, so take care if trying to use on any other beads.