At Beadalon, we generally recommend crimping as the preferred finishing technique for beaded jewelry making. However, crimping is not for everyone - it can be challenging to get those little crimp beads or tubes closed properly. For more on proper crimping techniques, check out this infographic. Luckily, there are several alternative ways to finish off your jewelry including this week's Facebook Live feature - the Scrimp Findings.
Scrimp Findings are an innovative screw finding that takes the place of a crimp. A tiny set screw inside holds bead stringing wires in place. There are also Scrimp Findings for Memory Wire and for Jewelry Cable!
1. Partially unscrew the screw in the Scrimp Finding.
2. Insert Beadalon Bead Stringing Wire into the Scrimp Finding, through a clasp, and back down through the Scrimp Finding. Be sure to leave a loop with some wiggle room. TIP: Use a Wire Guardian where extra abrasion is likely to occur.
3. Tighten the screw using the screwdriver and begin stringing.
Scrimp Findings are available in a bullet shape, an oval shape and a round shape in silver and gold finishes.
There are also Memory Wire Scrimp Findings that are only drilled through on one side, and cable ends that have a nice loop to attach a clasp (I also like using the cable ends on memory wire!).
1. Use the Mighty Crimping Pliers to hold the Scrimp Finding in place as you are unscrewing it.
2. Only unscrew the screw as much as necessary to slide the wire through. Try not to unscrew it all the way - that little screw can get lost really fast on your bead mat!
3. Wire Guardians and Scrimp Findings go together like peanut butter and jelly! Don't forget to gently squeeze the ends of the Wire Guardian together at the top of the Wire Guardian after you string it on.
4. The inside diameter of the Scrimp Findings is approximately 1.04mm (.041 in), and will accommodate up to two strands of .024 diameter Beading Wire.
5. Just as in crimping with a crimp bead, you want to make sure that your wires are parallel to each other rather than crossed within the Scrimp Finding. As my beady friend, Wanda, says, "the wires in the crimp [are] a two-lane divided highway...the wires must stay in their lanes."
6. When you tighten the screw, don't tighten so much that your screwdriver slips - it's sharp!
7. A dab of GS Hypo Cement, Beadalon Bead Stringing Glue, or even clear nail polish, will give some extra security to the finished Scrimp Finding. Keep in mind that if you don't seal the Scrimp Finding, you can actually undo it - to fix a design or to make it shorter - and redo it again.
Have you used Scrimp Findings in your jewelry designs? Share your creations in the Jewelry Making with Beadalon Facebook Group! Check out the Facebook Live in which I demonstrate all about the Scrimp Findings and be sure to join us live on Facebook on Thursdays at 2pm ET.
Until next time - happy beading!
Meredith
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