Techniques C

Cones

Use cones to finish a multistrand piece. Attach each strand of beads to a wrapped loop or an eye pin. Use the wrapped-loop wire to string the wide end of a cone, covering the ends of the stringing material. Form a wrapped loop at the tip of the cone that attaches to a clasp

Crimping

String a crimp tube and pass through the connection finding. Pass back through the tube leaving a short tail. Use the back notch of crimping pliers to pinch the tube into a U, leaving a wire on each side of the bend. Rotate the tube 90° and use the front notch to form the pinched tube into a clean cylinder.

Crimp covers

Crimp covers hide a 2mm crimp tube and give a professional finish. To attach, gently hold a crimp cover in the front notch of the crimping pliers. Insert the crimped tube and gently squeeze the pliers, encasing the tube inside the cover.

Crochet

This method is worked with a crochet hook. It forms a tidy chain along the edge. Place a slipknot on a Beaded crochet cord makes a great finish or a strap for other beadwork. Make an initial chain of four (or more) stitches. Leave a bead in each chain stitch by sliding a bead close to the hook before making each stitch. Form a ring of beaded stitches by inserting the hook into the first chain stitch, under the thread carrying the bead. Move the bead to the right of the hook.

Slide a new bead down close to the hook and work a slip stitch by pulling a loop of thread through both the loops on the hook. Make a slip stitch with a bead caught in each of the remaining chain stitches to complete the first round. Continue working beaded slip stitches in a spiral to the length desired.