by Katie Hacker
Sponsored by: Beadalon®
Crimping is a jewelry making basic. In this Beading Lesson, we’ll cover all of the tools, materials and techniques you’ll need to make a perfect crimp every time.
Crimp beads are round like seed beads, while crimp tubes are cylindrical. Crimp beads are great for illusion designs or other projects where the crimp needs to be as small and unnoticeable as possible. Crimp tubes make more surface contact with the wire, so they’re great for attaching a clasp or making a continuous necklace.
Crimp beads and tubes come in different sizes, which you choose based on the diameter of the wire you’re using and the number of times the wire must pass through the crimp. Refer to the packaging for direction. They also come in a variety of metallic finishes.
Crimp covers are c-shaped beads that fit over crimp beads and crimp tubes to give your designs a more finished look.
There are different tools for use with the different sizes of crimps. Most people start with a standard crimping tool and then acquire the other tools as they get more serious about using crimps in their designs.
The Micro Crimper secures Beadalon #1 Crimp Tubes and sizes #0 and #1 Crimp Beads. The jaw grooves are comparably smaller to make a dependable closure on smaller crimp findings.
The Standard Crimper works with the mid-range crimp beads and tubes, like Beadalon #1 and #2 Crimp Beads or #2 Crimp Tubes. The Pocket Crimper has the same size jaws as the Standard Crimper with short, pocket-sized handles.
The Dual Crimper incorporates two medium crimping cavities to fit all of the crimp tubes and beads within the medium range. Each cavity is slightly larger (or smaller) than the other to give the user the ability to tighten the crimp properly.
Use the Mighty Crimper to secure larger Beadalon #3 Crimp Beads or #3, #4 Crimp Tubes. You can also use it to close crimp covers.
Place a crimp bead or tube onto the beading wire. Use the outer jaws to form an oval shape, then move the crimp to the inner jaws. Squeeze hard to make a crease in the crimp bead or tube. Move the crimp to the outer jaws and fold it in half. Use the tool to gently round the crimp bead or tube.