How to Use Crimps in Bracelet Making

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How to Use Crimps in Bracelet Making

Crimps are small metal tubes or beads that are essential for creating secure and professional-looking finishes in beaded bracelets using beading wire. They allow you to attach clasps, jump rings, and other findings to the wire, preventing the beads from falling off. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using crimps in your bracelet-making projects:

1. Gathering Your Materials:

  • Beading Wire: Flexible, multi-strand wire specifically designed for beading. Choose a diameter (gauge) appropriate for your beads (e.g., .015″, .018″, or .019″).
  • Beads: Your choice of beads.
  • Crimps: Choose crimp beads or crimp tubes that fit the diameter of your beading wire. Crimp beads are round and generally smaller. Crimp tubes are longer and can be decorative.
  • Clasp: The mechanism for opening and closing your bracelet (e.g., a lobster clasp, spring ring clasp).
  • Jump Rings: Small metal rings used to connect charms and clasps to the bracelet.
  • Crimping Pliers: These pliers have specially shaped jaws designed for crimping. They have two slots: one for crimping and one for flattening.
  • Chain-nose pliers: For holding small items.
  • Wire Cutters: For trimming the beading wire.
  • Ruler or Measuring Tape: For measuring your wrist and cord length.
  • Optional: Bead board or tray to keep everything organized.

2. Preparing Your Supplies:

  • Cut the Beading Wire: Measure your wrist and add about 2-3 inches (5-7.6 cm) extra to accommodate the clasp and for crimping. Cut a piece of beading wire to this length.
  • Thread Beads onto Wire: String your beads onto the beading wire, arranging them in your desired pattern.

3. Attaching the Clasp (Step-by-Step):

  1. Thread the Wire & Crimp onto Clasp:
    • Thread the beading wire through the loop on your clasp (or through a jump ring, which is then connected to the clasp).
    • Thread a crimp bead or tube onto the beading wire.
  2. Thread the Wire Back Through Crimp:
    • Loop the beading wire back through the crimp bead or tube and a few beads (or through the clasp or jump ring again) to create a loop. This creates a loop to go back through the crimp.
    • Make sure you have a loop of wire at the top to help secure the bracelet and prevent it from coming undone.
  3. Position the Crimp: Slide the crimp bead or tube up to the clasp. You can tighten this to be snug on the clasp.
  4. Crimp the Bead (using Crimping Pliers):
    • Crimp Bead: Place the crimp bead in the crimping slot of your crimping pliers. Close the pliers firmly. This squeezes the bead into a rounded shape.
    • Flatten: Place the crimped bead in the flattening slot of your crimping pliers. Close the pliers firmly to flatten the bead. The bead should now be a secure, flat oval.
    • Test: Tug gently on the clasp to make sure the crimp is secure. If it isn’t secure, you may need to recrimp the bead or use a larger crimp.
  5. Thread the Beads: String your beads onto the beading wire.
  6. Position the Other End: Place the crimp bead and the new clasp on the wire (or connect to a jump ring and attach to a clasp).
  7. Thread the Wire Back:
    • Loop the Wire: Thread the wire back through the crimp bead, and back through the beads to create a loop.
    • Position the Crimp: Make sure that the loop is the size that you want.
    • Trim the Wire: Trim the excess wire close to the crimp.
  8. Crimp the Bead (using Crimping Pliers): Crimp the crimp bead or tube securely.
  9. Flatten (if using a Crimp Bead): Flatten the crimp bead using the flat jaws of the crimping pliers.
  10. Test: Tug gently on both ends of the clasp to ensure the crimps are secure.
  11. Trim Excess Wire: Trim any excess beading wire close to the crimp.
  12. Optional: If you have an issue with sharp ends on the wire, you can add a dab of glue.

4. Tips for Perfect Crimping:

  • Use the Correct Pliers: Using the right crimping pliers is essential for a professional-looking finish.
  • Size Matters: Use the correct size of crimp bead or tube for your beading wire. It should fit snugly.
  • Follow Pliers’ Instructions: Refer to the instructions that came with your crimping pliers.
  • Don’t Over-Crimp: Over-crimping can weaken the wire and make it more likely to break.
  • Check Your Work: After crimping, always test the connection by gently pulling on the clasp.
  • Practice: Crimping takes practice. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempts aren’t perfect.
  • Crimp Again if Needed: If the crimp doesn’t look secure, crimp it again.
  • Use Jewelry Glue: If you are unsure of a knot, you can use glue.

By following these steps, you can learn how to use crimps to create strong, professional, and beautiful beaded bracelets.