If you look closely at crimping pliers (SEE DIAGRAM BELOW) you will see there are two forming regions, the rounder(F) and crimper(E).  Crimping is a two step procedure that takes just a little practice and will give you professional-looking results.  

There are several types of crimp beads to chose from.  2x2 Sterling Silver or Gold Filled are by far the easiest to work with and we highly recommend them.  

• Cut your piece of beading wire, leaving about 4 inches extra on either end.

• After loading your beads in the pattern you desire, put a crimp bead after your last bead on each end of the wire.

• Take the first end of your wire through the loop on the end of your clasp and then take the wire back through the crimp bead again, leaving a small amount of extra wire as a tail.

• You want your crimp bead to be close but not touching the loop of the clasp.  If your crimp is right up against the clasp the metal rubbing on metal will cause the piece to break over time.   I usually make sure the clasp can "dangle". 

• Position the crimp bead in the kidney shaped crimper section (E) of the crimping pliers and gently close the pliers around the crimp bead.  You will see that the crimp bead has now curled around two pieces of wire.

• Next, turn your crimp bead 90° and position it in the rounder section (F) of the crimping pliers.  Again, gently close the pliers on the crimp bead.  This will compress the curled bead into a rounded shape.

• You can either trim off the beading wire tail or weave it back through your strung beads (if the holes allow you to do so).  

• Now you are ready to finish the final end.  Keep in mind that you once you crimp the final end of the piece you cannot make any changes to your piece unless you cut the beading wire and re-string the piece.  So it is a good idea to double check your work, before your final crimp bead is crimped.

• Take your undone end of wire and put it through the loop of the unused half of your clasp and then back through your crimp bead and through a few more beads if you desire.  

• Pull the your beading wire tight enough so that your beads are snug against each other and no beading wire is showing between them.  (This is the time to double check your work!!) 

• Repeat the two step crimping process to complete your new piece.

• Trim off the excess beading wire as close to the piece as you can.  Little pieces of the wire can irritate the skin when you wear your piece.   Flush cutters are made for this purpose.  The blades are at an angle which allows you to get as close as possible.  

• Enjoy wearing or selling your beautiful new jewelry!!

See our GETTING STARTED CRIMPING KIT!!

WHY CRIMP??

Of the many different stringing materials available, crimping works best with flexible beading wire. Threads and cords made from cotton, nylon or monofilament can be sliced by the edge of the crushed crimp bead.  Even the edge of the glass, stone, or metal spacer beads on your necklace can cut through many threads and cords. Flexible wire is far more resistant and most brands of flexible wire are meant to be crimped rather than knotted, so crimping and flexible wire go well together.

While stretchy and non-stretchy threads and cords have their uses, nothing is stronger or more reliable than flexible beading wire and nothing else looks more professional. Once you go with crimping, you’ll never go back. Equipping yourself for the crimping method is worth every penny. Furthermore the quality, softness, flexibility, and drape of the Soft Flex© brand of wire will amaze you!

Have you ever tried to tie a knot using thread or cord? Learning good, reliable knotting is not easy, and getting your knot to end up exactly where you want it along the cord can be very frustrating. Crimping, with just a little practice, is faster, easier, and stronger than knotting.