Knowing what findings to use in beading.

Okay so you've started beading. You want to stock up on all the goodies you will need but don't know where to start and what everything is. Need a heads up? This article will take you through everything you need to know about the basics used for beading.

There are various findings that can be used in beading. Findings are all the metal components that are used in beading and are made of various metals including nickel, sterling silver, or gold. Lengths and sizes vary and the size of any particular finding will depend on its purpose.

Head pins are pins that look a little like a fine nail. They have a long wire with a flat top on one end. The flat section can also be replaced by other shapes such as stars or hearts. That end is used to prevent the beads from sliding off the pin. Once all the required beads have been threaded onto the wire, the head pin, the non-flat end is then curled into a loop or 'eye' using round nosed pliers. It is onto this eye we attach other pins, clasps, chain etc when beading.

Eyepins are very much like head pins. The difference is eye pins don't have a flat end. Instead they have an 'eye' at one end. You pass the beads through the pin just like with a head pin, and then curl the blunt end once again. These are used more as joiners, making longer earrings or necklaces.

Jump rings are round loose little loops that are used to link other findings together. The diameter of the jump rings vary vastly as do their purpose. They can be used as a decorative piece on an elaborate item of jewellery or to link clasps, charms or spacers. Some jump rings are completely circular and cannot be opened others have a slice through one side that can be opened to adjust the size of the jump ring depending on its purpose.

Split rings are similar to jump rings but have 2 loops going around the circle, a bit like a little key ring. They are used for the same things as jump rings however are preferred due to their strength.

Parrot Clasps are clasps shaped in the form of a parrot's beak, hence the name. They are perfect for all sorts of jewellery making from bracelets, to necklaces, to bag charms.

Lobster clasps serve the same purpose as the Parrot clasps, though there appearance varies slightly. They look more like the lobster's pincer and so they are named.

Barrel clasps are clasps with 2 sides. Each side is attached to either side of the necklace or bracelet and clasp together by screwing into each other. They attach by using 'eye's found on either end of the clasps. Their name also comes from their appearance, as they look like barrels.

Toggle clasps also have two parts. Again you join each part to either end of the necklace or bracelet in much the same way as a barrel clasp. The toggle clasps however has a long side that resembles a bar and a shaped side, can be round or other shape such as a heart. To clasp the toggle clasp, you merely pass the long side through the 'round' side, joining both ends together.

Tiger Tail is a nylon coated wire that is used for many different beading needs including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bag charms, and much much more. It is a soft bending wire that does not hold a shape, rather acts as a threading line to hold beads. It is a stronger alternative to pearl thread, string or fishing line. Crimps are required on the ends of the wire to keep the beads from falling off as you cannot tie a knot in the tiger Tail.

Crimps are used to prevent the beads from falling off the threading material. They are tiny little hollow balls or tubes. You pass them through the tiger tail or other threading material and squash them together with pliers to prevent them from coming off, and holding the beads in place.

Charlotte crimps serve the same purpose as regular crimps, only they are more elaborate and give jewellery are neater finish. They have two small round sides joined together to give them the appearance of an oyster shell. There is a small hole between the to sides. Tiger tail or other thread is passed through this hole and a crimp or knot is used at the tip of the threading material. The knot or crimp is then placed into the 'oyster shell' and the two sides are closed together hiding it, giving it a neat finish. The charlotte crimps also have a hook attached that is used to join them onto clasps, jump rings or other findings.

Ear hooks are the hooks attached to earrings that you pass through the pierced section of an earlobe. They are otherwise known as Shepherd Hooks as the hook shape that goes through the ear looks like the hook on top of a shepherd staff. There is a loop at one end onto which you attach and eye pin, head pins or chain to form an earring.

Bead Caps are decorative or plain cup shaped caps that sit over beads. They can be used for purely decorative purposes or to protect the bead from scratching onto other beads, head pins etc.

This is a basic list that should be enough to get you going. At least you are now equipped with the more common items. The list really is endless. I will be submitting a follow up so stay tuned!

Article Source: http://www.christiannotepad.com

Author Terri Batsakis runs you through what various silver findings are known as and their function, making it easier to understand instructions in beading magazines. This information that will also make is easier when purchasing beads, even if you are just a beginner.
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