Question #74:
How can I make a necklace where the wire shows between clusters of beads?
Answer:
We call this type of necklace an "illusion design." Beads are spaced apart on the wire and held in place by crimps. To make sure the spaces are equal, cut a piece of rubber tubing or drinking straw to the right length. Slide the tubing or straw onto the necklace after attaching the clasp and use it to determine where to put your first crimp. Crimp it, then remove the tubing. String a bead and attach another crimp. Then slide the tubing or straw back onto the wire to measure the space to the next crimp.
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Question #75:
I am making a clip with beads dangling from it. I used a crimp at the end and when I tug on it to see if it is strong enough, the nylon coating comes out of the crimp. Is the wire the problem or is it my crimping technique?
Answer:
The crimp bead is probably too large for the diameter wire you’re using. Try using a thicker diameter of wire or a smaller crimp bead.
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Question #76:
How close should the crimp be to the finding? Some people have the crimp right next to the clasp, others leave some room between clasp and crimp. Which is better? Does the finding need room to move or will this create unnecessary friction and increase the chance of breakage?
Answer:
We recommend that crimping the wire fairly close to the finding. Leave enough room so that the strand is flexible, but there's no need to make a large loop because, it could indeed cause extra abrasion at the clasp end. You should look into wire guardians - they fit over the wire between the end of the design and the clasp. It prevents abrasion of the wire at the clasp end.
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Question #77:
What gauge wire should I use for wrapping stones?
Answer:
I would recommend using 22-gauge Artistic Wire. It is soft enough to wrap the stones easily but hard enough that it will keep its shape. It's also available in a wide variety of colors.
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Question #78:
I don't know what I am doing wrong. When I make a bracelet using tiger wire, I crimp using the 2-step method and a crimp bead. I end up with a folded look at the end, but the crimp bead breaks. Help!
Answer:
It's possible that the crimp bead has too much extra space inside. When you crimp it, there isn't enough wire in there to make the crimp bite like it's supposed to and the crimp breaks. Try using a larger diameter of wire with your crimp beads, or use a smaller diameter of crimp beads.
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Question #79:
Is Beadalon 49-strand knottable? Can it be used for pearls or with tin cup designs?
Answer:
While our 49 strand has thread-like flexibility, and can be tied, it is not suitable for knotting pearls. The wire it changes its direction when tied, and does not lay well - your tin cup will end up very oddly shaped. Your best bet would be to use a crimp bead or tube to separate beads for a tin cup or illusion look. Look into crimp covers - these C-shaped beads slide right over the crimp to give a professional finished look.
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Question #80:
I usually run my wire through the crimp bead and back through one or two beads. Is this bad for the wire if the wire is snug within the beads because of the two strands of wire? Will cutting the wire at the crimp bead increase chances of breakage?
Answer:
While many people feel that going back through the first few beads is crucial, it does not make any difference if you have a nice solid crimp connection. Don't make the mistake of using too thin a diameter wire just to have the wire go back through the final beads. Always use the thickest wire that you can get through the smallest bead. Be sure to use a very good pair of side cutters (flush cutters) to nip the wire as close to the crimp as you can. You may need to take a pair of chain nose pliers to gently tuck in any tiny strands.
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Question #81:
Do I need to use glue inside my crimp beads? It's messy to do it, but it doesn't show on the work.
Answer:
There should be no need to bother with glue inside the crimp. A good crimp effectively executed will not slip out. Use a crimping tool, have the right size crimp for your diameter wire, become proficient with the crimping tool: you'll get a solid connection every time. If your crimps crack or break, check that the crimp size matches the wire. Practice makes perfect. Try taking a few feet of wire and a batch of crimps and just practice the process over and over.
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Question #82:
When I create seed bead necklaces, I have trouble running the end of the wire back through the first few beads after crimping. Cutting the end off leaves a rough edge that iritates the neck - which is very uncomfortable in a multistrand necklace. How can I avoid this?
Answer:
"Here are several things you can do to take care of this problem.
Try using a crimp cover - a C-shaped metal bead that fits over the crimp, preventing the wire end from scratching the neck.
Or use a cone to cover the ends where they attach - this approach is particularly lovely for multistrand designs.
Or try switching to a scrimp finding, an innovative, reusable, adjustable screw finding that takes the place of a crimp."
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Question #83:
Help - it seems like the wire is stretching in the jewelry I've strung. Is this even possible?
Answer:
"Beadalon jewelry wire is specially designed to prevent stretch. Here are some things to look out for.
- Use the thickest wire that will fit through your beads.
- Definitely store your designs flat.
- If there's too much space after you crimp the ends, add a crimp cover to hide the crimp and take up some of that extra room.
- Keep in mind that a bit of space at the end of a design is a good thing; it makes the piece more flexible. "
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Question #84:
I used a crimp and it smashed, now I have a long hard road to hide the crimp on my finished project! I know the most logical answer woud be to restring my work, but I'm pressed for time and would rather not restring! Any suggestions?
Answer:
Sadly, the best solution would probably be to restring your work, especially if the crimp is compromised. However, there are a couple of ways to hide crimps. Crimp covers are special c-shaped beads that you can slide over the crimp to hide it. You could also use the bead opening tool to open any seamed bead to create your own crimp cover.
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Question #85:
I have started to use a beading wire that requires a crimp bead - but it's ugly if it shows. How can I hide it?
Answer:
"Try using a crimp cover to hide the crimp at the end of your designs. It's a c-shaped bead that closes over the crimp.
Or use an EZ-crimp clasp that crimps directly onto the wire without any unsightly crimps. These clasps look especially nice with the new silver-plated Beadalon wires. "
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Question #86:
What do you think of crimp tube covers? I know that they will look better - but do they make the bracelet stronger? Are they difficult to attach?
Answer:
Crimp covers make a design look more finished. I don't know whether they add durability, but they're not too expensive - they're so easy to attach. Crimp covers are C-shaped; just place it over the crimp, then squeeze it shut.
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Question #87:
What is your suggestion for crimping 3 or 4 strands through a crimp and back through a bead to hide the end?
Answer:
When crimping several strands inside one crimp tube or crimp bead, make sure that the wires stay parallel inside the crimp and then use a crimping tool to crimp it. Be sure to use a crimp tube (or bead) that's large enough to handle all of the wires. For a neat finished look, try crimp covers to hide the crimp so you don't have to pass the wire ends back through the first bead. Acrimp cover is a C-shaped metal bead that fits right over the crimp.
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Question #88:
I have recently started beading. I am not sure what I am doing wrong, but my jewelry keeps breaking at the crimp. Any suggestions?
Answer:
There are several things that could be happening. If the wire is breaking at the crimp or the crimp itself isn't holding, my guess is that you need to perfect your crimping technique. Use a crimping tool to crimp the crimp bead / tube - you can see an animated tutorial at beadalon. com. You may also need to leave a little bit of space at the end of your design. If the beads are so tight that the piece can't bend freely, that can cause breakage at the clasp end.
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Question #89:
I'd like to make a continuous strand necklace using Beadalon 49-strand wire (.018in diameter) and fairly heavy glass beads. The instructions I have say to tie it off in two places, a few beads apart. Can 49-strand be knotted like that? Or do I have to go with a clasp and crimp beads?
Answer:
I always recommend using the thickest wire that will pass through your beads, especially since your beads are rather heavy. The thinner diameters of Beadalon are knottable but in this case I recommend using a crimp tube instead of tying the ends. For continuous strands, I use two crimp tubes. Pass the wire end through a crimp tube, a few last beads and another crimp tube. This helps to spread the tension out a bit and you won't have to rely on just one crimp.