Beginners to the world of beading will notice that there is a huge variety of tools available for beaded jewelry making. The selection can seem overwhelming, but in reality only a select few tools are really necessary to begin. It’s a good idea to start out with a solid foundation of these essential tools. You can always add specialty tools to your collection later as they become needed. With the tools presented below you should have no trouble getting started and creating beautiful beaded jewelry!
- Pliers - You will need both round nose and flat nose pliers. Pliers are used to bend wire and pins for your projects; round nose pliers bend wire into loops while flat nose pliers make angular bends. Flat nose pliers are also useful for holding elements of your project while you work. It’s important to buy pliers that are made specifically for jewelry making. Cheap pliers from the hardware store often have rough edges that can damage your projects. Invest in good quality pliers that will last forever and are easy to work with. We have a great set of precision beading pliers that also includes chain nose pliers and a semi-flush side cutter that will come in useful for more advanced projects.
- Scissors – A good pair of sharp scissors is essential for every beading enthusiast! When you’re first starting out you can get by with any pair of scissors you have lying around, but for more precise projects you will probably want a pair of precision beading scissors. Scissors that are made specifically for beading have particularly thin, sharp tips for cutting in hard-to reach places.
- Wire Cutters – Once you have a nice pair of beading scissors, make sure to never use them to cut beading wire! You could damage them and dull the blades. It’s a good idea to invest in a pair of regular wire cutters as well as a pair of memory wire cutters. Look for quality wire cutters that won’t become dull easily.
- Bead Mat – There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to keep beads from rolling off a flat surface. Save yourself the frustration and buy a bead mat. They’re incredibly affordable and an essential for every beaded jewelry maker. They keep beads from rolling around and also provide protection if you should accidentally drop beads from your project.
- Spring Clamps – When you first begin beading you will probably find yourself wishing you had an extra hand or two. Spring clamps are the next best thing. They’re great for holding wire while you’re stringing beads and for keeping your project secure while you’re working on something else. Spring clamps are another inexpensive tool that will prove to be an essential part of your beading tool kit.
- Beading Needles - If you’re going to be working with small beads you will quickly find that most ordinary sewing needles are too thick or have eyes too large to fit through tiny beads. Pick up a pack or two of beading needles in different sizes so you’ll always have the right needle for your project.
- Tweezers – You probably already have a spare pair of tweezers around the house that you can add to your beading tool kit. If not, make sure to get a pair. Tweezers have innumerable uses in beading. Use them to pick up tiny seed beads, to help you string thread or wire, or to hold clasps while attaching them. There are beading-specific tweezers with particularly tiny tips for seed beads if you want to get fancy, but any pair of small-tipped tweezers should do.