How To Use Crimp Beads: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Hobbies and Crafts
• Crafts
• Beading

How to Use Crimp Beads Download Article Easy step-by-step instructions for securing loops on jewelery Co-authored by Cory Schifter

Last Updated: November 27, 2024 Approved

Download Article

• Stringing the Crimp Bead
|
• Forming the Crimp Beads
|
• Completing the Beading
|
• Expert Interview
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Cory Schifter. Cory Schifter is a Jeweler, Certified Jewelry Appraiser, and the Owner of Casale Jewelers in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York. Casale Jewelers is known for its selection of fine jewelry, designer brands, engagement rings, certified diamonds, custom-made jewelry, and watches. Cory has over 10 years in the jewelry industry and is a certified jewelry appraiser. Cory was featured on NY1 News “Got it Made in New York” for Casale Jewelers’ custom design business and Casale Jewelers was recognized by American Express and Facebook in 2012 as one of the top five small businesses in the nation. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 279,097 times.

Crimp beads help secure a loop on a piece of jewelry so that the finished piece can be attached to other components of jewelry. If you’re making your own beaded jewelry, you’ll probably need to crimp the wire on both ends to make sure the beads don’t fall off. For best results, you should invest in a pair of crimping pliers, but a regular pair of pliers will work, too. To use crimp bead, string on the crimp beads, form the bead, and complete the process by securing the decorative beads with one more crimp bead.

A Quick Guide to Using Crimp Beads

• Add an end piece to the wire. Then, feed the wire through the crimp bead and clasp to make a loop.
• Move the crimp bead to the end of the clasp. Then, use crimping pliers to flatten the bead and round it.
• String and tighten your beads. Add an end clasp, make a loop with a crimp bead, and crimp it closed.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Stringing the Crimp Bead

Download Article

1. 1 Gather your supplies. First, determine what size wire you have. Use an online chart to make sure you have the right size crimp beads for your wire. Take into consideration how many strands of wire or thread you will be crimping at once, as this will increase the size of bead you’ll need.[1]
   • For example, if you are using one 0.020” (0.51 mm) piece of wire, you will need a bead with a diameter of 0.04” (1.02 mm). But, if you are using two strands of wire, you will need a bead with a diameter of 0.08”.
2. 2 Add an end piece to your wire. To secure one end of the wire so that your beads don’t fall off, you’ll need some sort of an end piece, such as a clasp. When you are ready to attach a clasp, first thread the end of your beading wire (jewelry cable) through a crimp bead and then through the eye of the clasp.
   • Your design might call for other kinds of end pieces, such as a closed or solid jump ring or extender chain. The same methods apply for these as for clasps.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Form a loop. Form the loop through the clasp and crimp bead. After threading the crimp and clasp, feed the wire back through the crimp bead, forming a loop. It is a good idea to leave a tail of wire a couple of inches longer than you think you need so you will have some wire to work with.
Advertisement

Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Forming the Crimp Beads

Download Article

1. 1 Slide the crimp bead down the wire. Move the crimp bead close to the end of the clasp or end piece. Check the crimp bead and make sure it is not too close to the clasp or end piece. You want to have a small loop around the clasp or end piece, but not so small that it holds the clasp so tightly that it cannot move freely. [2]
2. 2 Flatten the bead. Use crimping pliers to flatten the bead. Squeeze the beads with the flatter back channel of the crimping pliers that is closest to the handle. Gently but firmly squeeze the pliers closed. This will both flatten and place a dent in the middle of the crimp bead so that it resembles the letter “C”.
3. 3 Round the bead. Round it with crimping pliers. Place the dented crimp bead in the front, rounder channel of the crimping pliers, closest to the tip. Position the “C” upright so that when you close the pliers and squeeze, the bead will be folded closed right on the dent (closing the “C” into an “O”). Squeeze gently but firmly and until the crimp bead has closed tightly around the wire.[3]
   • Tug gently to make sure the wire doesn't pull free. If necessary, use pliers to make it close tighter.
4. 4 Use chain or needle nose pliers. If you don’t have a pair of crimping pliers, you can use regular pliers. They get the job done, but they won’t give you the same round, uniform crimps that crimping pliers will. To use these pliers, simply grasp the crimp bead with the flat section of the pliers and squeeze gently but tightly to smash the crimp bead flat onto the wire.
   • Only use flat pliers or the flat section of pliers. The teeth in these pliers will also leave grooves on the surface of the crimp bead.
Advertisement

Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Completing the Beading

Download Article

1. 1 String your decorative beads. Use whatever beads you are designing your bracelet, necklace, or other piece of jewelry with. Thread your first bead onto the wire. Thread the extra tail of wire through the bead hole. Use your flush cutters to cut off the loose end of the cord as close as possible to the bead. Thread the rest of your beads according to your design until you reach the other end.[4]
2. 2 Tighten your beads. When you are ready to attach your final clasp to the end of your piece, thread the crimp bead and clasp just like before, but now you will want to tighten all of your beads by pulling on the tail end of the loose wire. This will snug all your beads up together, leaving no gaps in your design.[5]
   • You will need to leave a small, finger-nail length gap between the beads if you have long tube beads in your design.
   • You need to make sure the beads and wire make the small circumference around a wrist if you are making a bracelet.
   • If you need more leverage to pull the wire tight, use your pliers; one to hold the clasp and the other to grasp and pull the wire.
3. 3 Add a crimp cover for a nice touch. If you want to hide your crimp beads, you can get crimp covers. A crimp cover looks like a larger, round bead that goes on top of the crimp bead or tube to give it a professional finish. To add a crimp cover, simply slide it over the crimp bead and squeeze it shut with a pair of pliers.[6]
Advertisement

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about making jewelry, check out our in-depth interview with Cory Schifter.

References

1. ↑ http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/encyclobeadia/charts/e94n
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pHk64psvss
3. ↑ http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/videos/691h
4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pHk64psvss
5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pHk64psvss
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZkyCCN-1d8

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question What can I use to secure the ends of my bracelets if thread slips through the crimp bead? Community Answer That means that you need to use a crimp bead of a different size. This chart will help you figure out the appropriate size for your wire: http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/encyclobeadia/charts/e94n Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 24
• Question What do I do if I've already threaded all the beads? Community Answer You will have to take them off of the wire, start with a crimp bead, and then add the beads on again. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 13
• Question How can crimp beads be used with earrings? Community Answer You can make earrings using stringing wire, and you can crimp just like you would a bracelet or necklace. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 8

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

• Sometimes you don't get a perfect crimp. It either didn't fold over nicely or the wire pulls loose. If this happens, cut the crimp bead off the end, and just start over again with a fresh new crimp bead. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Wear safety goggles when cutting beading wire. Steel beading wire can snap and fly around. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

• Two Crimp Beads
• Choice of Clasp
• Length of Flexible Jewelry Wire (also known as beading cable or stringing cable)
• Beads
• Crimping Tool or Chain Nose (Flat Nose) Pliers
• Crimp Bead Covers (optional)

You Might Also Like

How to Make String & Beaded Friendship Bracelets How toMake a Beaded Ring How toUse a Crimping Tool DIY Bracelets with Beads for Beginners & Beyond How toMake Handmade Jewelry How toMake a Memory Wire Bracelet How toCreate Beaded Hair Barrettes How toRestring a Necklace How toWire Wrap a Crystal How to Crimp Wires Safely and Effectively: A Beginner's Guide How toMake Jewelry with Wire DIY Beaded Necklace Tutorial How toMake Feather Earrings How toAdd Charms to a Charm Bracelet Advertisement

About This Article

Co-authored by: Cory Schifter Jeweler & Certified Jewelry Appraiser This article was co-authored by Cory Schifter. Cory Schifter is a Jeweler, Certified Jewelry Appraiser, and the Owner of Casale Jewelers in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York. Casale Jewelers is known for its selection of fine jewelry, designer brands, engagement rings, certified diamonds, custom-made jewelry, and watches. Cory has over 10 years in the jewelry industry and is a certified jewelry appraiser. Cory was featured on NY1 News “Got it Made in New York” for Casale Jewelers’ custom design business and Casale Jewelers was recognized by American Express and Facebook in 2012 as one of the top five small businesses in the nation. This article has been viewed 279,097 times. 20 votes - 92% Co-authors: 20 Updated: November 27, 2024 Views: 279,097 Categories: Beading Article SummaryX

To use crimp beads, thread a piece of jewelry wire through a crimp bead and a clasp, then feed the wire back through the crimp bead to form a loop. Move the crimp bead close to the end of the clasp. Next, use crimping pliers to flatten the bead in the middle to form a "c" shape and round out the shape. Thread the rest of your beads onto the wire according to your design until you reach the other end. Then, tighten your beads and add a crimp cover as a final touch to make your beading look professional! For more tips on shaping crimp beads with pliers, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languagesJapanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 279,097 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  K. D.

  Dec 16, 2016

  "I am not a bead artist, but a stitcher who got a scissor fob kit assembled with crimp beads. I had no idea how to..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Cory Schifter Jeweler & Certified Jewelry Appraiser Co-authors: 20 Updated: November 27, 2024 Views: 279,097 92% of readers found this article helpful. 20 votes - 92% Click a star to add your vote

K. D.

Dec 16, 2016

"I am not a bead artist, but a stitcher who got a scissor fob kit assembled with crimp beads. I had no idea how to..." more

Joel Munson

Jan 24, 2017

"The article is incredibly informative and lays out an easy-to-follow process to bead crimping. "

Pam Lamartina

Jun 17, 2016

"The first tutorial that helped me to understand how to use a crimp bead."

Trizah George

Jul 27, 2017

"I now know what crimp beads are and how to use them, thanks to wikiHow."

Holly M.

Aug 5, 2017

"Easy to understand with helpful tips. Thanks!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

Engagement Ring QuizTake QuizWhat Crystal Do I Need QuizTake QuizWhat Piercing Should I Get QuizTake QuizHair Curl Type QuizTake QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizTake QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How to Make String & Beaded Friendship BraceletsHow toMake a Beaded RingHow toUse a Crimping ToolDIY Bracelets with Beads for Beginners & Beyond

Featured Articles

How toMake a Paper AirplaneHow toLearn Morse CodeHow toFold an Origami Star (Shuriken)How to Fold and Use a Paper Fortune Teller

Trending Articles

What Female Body Shape Are You? How to Identify YoursWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouFinish the Lyrics Quiz

Featured Articles

What Animal Am I QuizAm I Gay QuizHow Well Do I Know My Best Friend QuizAm I an Alpha, Beta, or Omega Quiz

Featured Articles

160+ Good Roasts to Burn Your Friends & Family MembersHow to Play the Snaps Guessing Game140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your PlayThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesVirtual Truth or Dare Questions to Keep Things Interesting180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any Argument

Watch Articles

How toEat GuavaHow to Get Yellow Stains Out of White ShoesLeft Eye Twitching for Females: What Astrology Says About Eye Twitching50 First Date Conversation Starters to Spark a ConnectionHow to Make a Mask Out of Paper (for Kids or Adults)How to Put Jibbitz on Crocs

Trending Articles

Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?How to Read Face Moles: Lucky and Unlucky PlacementsWhat JJK Character Am I QuizFade Hairstyle Types for Men: A Complete GuideRecessed Maxilla (Upper Jawbone): Symptoms & TreatmentCan Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?

Quizzes & Games

Music Notes & Symbols TestTake QuizWhat’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take QuizImpossible English TestTake QuizWhat Animal Would Go On My House Crest QuizTake QuizWhat Wild wikiHow Article Am I QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Hobbies and Crafts
• Crafts
• Beading

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --478