Crimping Tips | Designing Jewelry | Organizing Projects
Our readers tell you how to finish off a strung bracelet and set up your jewelry design before you start stringing.
1 earring display
To make an inexpensive earring holder, attach a piece of needlepoint canvas to the clips on a pants hanger. Hook the earrings through the holes in the canvas, and hang the holder in a closet for convenient storage. You'll be able to see all your earrings at a glance.
- Cindy Klein, Tucson, AZ |
2 careful crimping
When finishing a strung bracelet with a lobster claw clasp and a jump ring, crimp the clasp end first. Fasten the clasp to the jump ring before crimping the other end. This will keep the jump ring away from the crimp bead. Finishing while the piece is in a curved shape will also ensure that the bracelet is not crimped too tightly.
- R. Diamond, via e-mail |
3 head pin arrangements
When designing a piece of jewelry, string combinations of beads and spacers on long head pins. Rearrange the head pins on a bead-design board to see how the combinations look together. You will save time when stringing different patterns and reorganizing groups of beads. |
4 spoon scoops
A souvenir or baby spoon makes a great scoop for tiny beads. It can get into the corners of a tray or design board for easy bead pick-up. With a slightly pointed tip, the spoon is also handy for putting beads back in small containers or tubes.
- Shawn Szilvasi, via e-mail |
5 snack-tray convenience
Plastic snack trays make inexpensive project organizers. They have multiple compartments for storing beads, findings, and tools. Buy a bunch at a dollar or discount store.
- T.L. Feingold, via e-mail |