Essential Jewelry Pliers
for Bead Jewelry Making

Jewelry Beading Beginners...Learn which jewelry pliers you need to make beaded jewelry. Get info and pictures info on must have bead and wire jewelry tools.

Must Have Pliers and Wire Cutters

If you're just starting to make jewelry, or are on a budget, buy these pliers first...

• Crimping Pliers
• Round Nose Pliers
• Chain Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters

To start, you can purchase some inexpensive basic jewelry pliers from arts and craft stores.

Eurotool® and BeadSmith® are two excellent brands (a little more expensive, but still a great price) for good basic everyday pliers that will last for years. You can find these brands at your local bead shop or at online bead stores.

Optional Jewelry Pliers

Later, if you decide to stick with jewelry making, purchase...

• Split Ring Pliers
• Flat Nose Pliers

Jewelry Beading Beginners
How to Hold Jewelry Pliers

For the most part, hold and work with pliers and wire cutters using your dominant hand.

Most pliers are available in an ergonomic version, which usually costs a little more. But, in the long run it may be worth the extra investment if they're easier on your hands.

With a little patience and practice and you'll be a pro in no time!

A Can't Do Without Jewelry Making Tool

You'll use different pliers to accomplish different tasks to make jewelry.

Pliers are also called beading tools, and are essential as wire jewelry tools.

Here, discover...

• What types of jewelry you can make
• What tasks you can complete
• Plus, link to projects or techniques to see jewelry pliers in action!

Below are pictures of pliers, and their tips, used in bead stringing projects and a lot of wire jewelry projects.

Jewelry Pliers
Key Bead Jewelry Making Tools

Chain Nose Pliers

Chain Nose Pliers Tip

• Have narrow, tapered jaws
• Use them to flatten crimp beads, open and close jump rings, bend wire and maneuver in tight spaces
• Used in: Bead Stringing Projects, Making Wire Jewelry
• See chain nose pliers in use: How to Crimp Beading Wire 2 and How to Open and Close Jump Rings

Crimping Pliers

Crimping Pliers Tip

• Have two notches that make a crimp in a crimp bead when the pliers' jaws are closed
• Use these to 'crimp' crimp beads and to close crimp covers around a folded crimp bead
• Used in: Bead Stringing Projects
• See crimping pliers in use: How to Crimp Crimp Beads

Flat Nose Pliers

Flat Nose Pliers

• Have smooth, even sized jaws
• Use them to bend wire and to hold wire steady when working on a project
• Used in: Some Bead Stringing Projects, Making Wire Jewelry

Round Nose Pliers

Round Nose Pliers Tip

• Have round, tapered jaws
• Use them to create loops and curves in wire
• Can be used with chain nose pliers to open jump rings by using
to open jump rings by using
• See round nose pliers in use: How to Make Wire Loops

Split Ring Pliers

Split Ring Pliers Tip

• Has one straight, but tapered, jaw and one bent tip tapered jaw
• Used to open split rings
• See round nose pliers in use: How to Open Split Rings

Wire Cutters

Wire Cutters Tip

• Although not called pliers, they are usually grouped with pliers.
• Use wire cutters to cut flexible beading wire
• Place the working edge (flat side) against the end of the wire that you will keep, or are working with, because it makes a more flush cut edge which looks better in jewelry designs
• Do not use wire cutters to cut memory wire (which is made from steel); use memory wire cutters
• See wire cutters in use: How to Cut Beading Wire

Now you know key information about the jewelry pliers you'll need to make bead jewelry as well as lots of wire jewelry.

What are you waiting for? Go out and get some pliers, beads and wire and start making your own jewelry!

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