Guide to the most common tools used in jewellery making

Making beaded jewellery typically requires a variety of tools to create professional and durable pieces. Here’s a list of the most commonly used tools in beaded jewellery making:

Beading Needles: Thin, flexible needles used for stringing beads, especially seed beads and smaller beads.

Beading Thread/Wire
Beading Thread: Soft, flexible, and good for bead weaving.
Beading Wire: Stronger and coated, typically used for stringing.
Round Nose Pliers: Used for making loops and curves in wire.
Chain Nose Pliers: Used for gripping, bending, and closing jump rings, loops and for crimping.
Flat Nose Pliers: Similar to chain nose pliers, flat nose pliers do all the same jobs, but due to the size of their head they aren’t as flexible in their use.
Wire Cutters: For cutting beading wire, headpins, and other metal components.
Crimping Pliers: Special pliers used to securely fasten crimp beads to finish a piece.
Bead Mat or Beading Board: Keeps beads from rolling and helps with layout and measuring.
Scissors: Sharp scissors for cutting thread or soft cords.
Tweezers Useful for picking up small beads.

Optional but Helpful Tools:
Bead Stoppers: Prevent beads from sliding off the string while working.
Awl: Helps to untangle knots or enlarge bead holes.
Measuring Tape/Ruler: For precise measurement of jewellery lengths.
Bead Spinner: Makes threading small beads (like seed beads) much faster.
Jewellery Glue: For securing knots or certain components.
Storage Organizers: To sort and store beads and findings neatly.

If you are just starting out in jewellery making then a basic set of pliers will be sufficient until you decide that you are going to be doing a lot of jewellery making, which is when you may choose to upgrade to branded pliers.