Guide for multi-tool & crimp beads

how to use the multi-tool

Your multi-tool can do it all!

Starting from the tip:

Round nose pliers: can pick up small things, bend wire to your will.

Flat: for squashing crimp beads.

Cutter: for cutting wire. Use the side that is visibly more in “front” to see where you’re cutting.

From the left:

Crimp bead (or tube): for securing beads to the wire

Jump ring: attachment points. This one is double looped like a keyring.

Swivel claw: to clip your charm to stuff.

Loop wire through crimp bead, jump ring, then back into crimp bead. Slide bead up to tighten the loop.

2. Use the flat part of multi-tool to squash down on the crimp bead. Make sure the wire doesn’t budge.

*Note: it’s possible to overwork the bead and break it if it gets squashed too much or pressed from different angles.

More notes: You can use 2 crimp beads for extra security.

3. Leave a big of excess wire that can hide in your first bead. Here, I have just 1 crimp bead, but you can add a second before starting.

4. Continue stringing your beads.

Ya made it to the other end!

5. Give yourself enough room on the wire to finish the strand.

6. Add a crimp bead and loop in on itself. Use the needle nose pliers to pull and tighten. Then, squash that crimp bead!

7. Cut off excess wire but leave enough length to hide in the last bead.

Note: I left the jump ring off this time, to make crimping easier. It’s hard to crimp the bead if the jump ring gets in the way.

7. Loop jump ring onto the end, and both jump rings onto the swivel clip.

Et voila! Fin! You’ve done it :o)