There are essential products in every beaders toolbox and craft space, but here at Beadalon, we like to go above and beyond and offer products that make jewelry making even easier and more enjoyable. How many of these 10 "oddly essential" items do you have?
Bead Counters - do you need to quickly count beads for a pattern or for making kits? The Bead Counters are the best tool for those jobs. There are 4 in the kit and work with beads 2-3mm, 4-5mm, 6-7mm and 8-10mm.
Bead Slide Gauge – Patterns usually call for a certain size of beads, and while I often can "eyeball" the size of the beads, it's good to have an easy way to know what size beads you are working with.
Tool Huggy - Keep your tools organized and accessible with the Tool Huggy. You'll be amazed at how many different shapes and sizes of tools and more you can fit in this table top tool holder!
For even more tips, tricks, and must haves, rewatch the Facebook Live - this is a good one to read the comments on - lots of extras from the beading community.
Bead Counters - do you need to quickly count beads for a pattern or for making kits? The Bead Counters are the best tool for those jobs. There are 4 in the kit and work with beads 2-3mm, 4-5mm, 6-7mm and 8-10mm.
Quick Change Trays - When you are using the Spin N Bead, Spin N Bead Jr., and Spin N Bead Senior, Quick Change Trays are indispensable for quickly changing out colors of seed beads. I find them most helpful when I'm making French Beaded Flowers, but they are great if you make waist beads, or any project with lots of strung strands of seed beads in different colors.
Designer Beading Awl - I reach of my awl nearly every time I'm making jewelry - knotted and tangled stringing material is par of the course in jewelry making, and I can almost always pick out a knot with some patience and an awl. It's also handy when you're holding jump rings apart when you make chain maille designs. I also use it to open up crimp covers if they need a little more space to fit over a crimp. I also use it for..... you get the idea!
Spool Tamer – These clever tools help keep your Beading Wire, Artistic Wire, WildFire, Dandyline, Elasticity and more under control. You can use them on large spools and smaller spools thanks to the adjustable buckle. No more boxes of tangles wire, thank you very much!
Bead Stopper - There's nothing worse than spending time and effort to string up a perfect design, then picking it up to move it or size it and the beads go sliding off of the wire. Secure the wire ends with Bead Stoppers, and save yourself hours of frustration. I also find them useful for holding the wires when making multi-strand designs to make sure everything lays properly before crimping. Have you seen the new bead stoppers with pink ends? So cute!
Wire Straightener - When wire working, you usually want to start with your wire as straight as possible. The Wire Straightener is great for quickly and easily straightening your wire. It works for German Style, Artistic Wire and ColourCraft in all gauges, although I tend to use it more for thicker gauges of wire. The more times you draw the wire through the tool, the more it will work harden your wire, so be aware of that as you are using the tool.
Tacky Mats – These are great for preventing beads from rolling around as you are working - especially if you like to take your projects on the road. They are also useful for holding in place your Beadalon Tying Station, Jewel Loom, Tassel Maker, and the Bracelet Knotter Tool.
Don't forget to set your reminders for 2pm ET on Thursdays to join us live, follow us on all of the socials, and join the Jewelry Making with Beadalon Facebook Group!
Until next time, Happy Beading!
- Meredith
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