[Caitlin]

My favorite tools for stringing and knotting beads, including pearls, are.

• Big eye needles. there are three types of these:
• The twisted wire needle has a large round hole that collapses when it goes through a bead and does not pop back.
• Another kind of big eye a slit in the needle opens to allow threading and closes for passing through bead holes. I think Beadalon sells this.
• I have another type of big eye that opens almost the length of the needle for threading but closes into a thin needle. I forget where this type came from.
• Some people use regular beading needles with a small hole.
• People also use glue ie Superglue or equivalent on the tip of the thread to stiffen it enough make a needle. (Traditional stiffener was gum Arabic)

• Thread. (Please refer to the Thread Thread for a growing number of posts about every thread possible)

• Beeswax. Used for silk. linen and other threads. It cuts back on tangles and the slipperiness of certain threads.

• Thread clippers. I use the ones that look like horseshoes. they usually cost less that $5 and when they get dull, they are easy to replace. (I should take one to a sharpener and see if it can be resharpened.)

• small needle nose pliers. For clamping thread as needed, especially at holding gimp in place while pulling the thread/wire through..

• crimp beads.
• The tornado crimp beads are long and only need to be squeezed shut with your needle-nosed pliers.
• Smaller crimp beads can help secure knots at the end of the strand and have premade bead covers that disguise the crimped bed.

• Small crimp beads may require a little tool called crimping pliers. It is made to hold the crimp bead while you squash it into a collapsed C shape, then squeeze it again to a tight round shape

• A Thread Zapper. This tool replaces the cigarette lighter for sealing many kinds of thread. It costs $20- something- and the new tips are around 2 for $12.

• Goggles or other magnifying device if you need one to be able to see in detail. I got a decent one for less than $40. It is a great boon to as I can no longer see details without considerable magnification.

• Gimp. Gimp is more of a supply than a tool, It a springy tightly coiled wire used to cover the part where the thread/wire goes around the clasp. We have several separate discussions for gimp too.

• Good wire cutters- especially if you use wire to string.

• A bead reamer or a Dremel. This is a good tool to have if you want to smooth off cutting edges on gem stones and also for enlarging the holes on end pearls to take a thread doubling back on itself. Hand held bead reamers are lousy. they wear out and break. They cost from $3- for the worst one and more for better ones.Nevertheless that is what I used till I got a dremel with interchangeable drills and grinding bits. I got the brand name dremel in an inexpensive kit with several different size and bits. ($39.00 plus postage.)

Let's see--I need a break. What did I forget?

[knotty panda]

A bead board.

[pattye]

I need multiple bead boards!

For magnifiers, I love my "reader glasses" 3.25x.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

Ah, yeah.... a bead board is Totally Essential,

A towel in a tray with edges will work in a pinch, but an actual molded beading board is an incredible tool.

I now buy mine with clear plastic lids on them. so I can have several unfinished projects going. At less than $5- they are a real bargain.

I remember you saying that you like those 3.25 reader glasses before. I bet thay can be procured with more ease and less cost than my goggles.......

[Sueki]

And a glass of water, Caitlin, for use with the dremel....

[Nerida]

Thank you ladies - now this is a very useful thread!

[Satine De La Courcel]

Hi Caitlyn,

How are the thread zappers?? I have been thinking about one. My eyes are not what they used to be, and I am tired of nipping my fingers....


I use thread heaven, ( not as clumpy but leaces a residue on teh fingers aswell as the stringing Mediu,. Also beeswax or an old candle if I do not have either beeswax or my thread heaven about. I also use size 10 needles they can do up to Size D threads (nymo) and silk with a little bit if work... the needlse I get are 25 for $1.15 CDN and they go through most pearl holes. adn teh needles are longish and wow end up in odd shapes..

I gave all my Big eye, and wire collapsable needles to my mom She loves them... and they seem to become harder to find near her..

I also use a light for beading.. usually 100 watt. Hmm.. That is all I can think of that I like to use that is different from what is already mentioned...

cheers

Ash