By Daniel Turbin
A topic not much discussed in articles regarding bead craft is what I like to all "optional equipment." Understandably, most of the articles on beadwork concentrate on the beading projects, or the beads themselves and many discussions rotating around patterning, color choosing and so on, but at least a few attention should be given to the optional items of tools, because they can make your life simpler and enhance your enjoyment of bead craft in general.
The items I have in mind are:
Fishing Line
Magnifying Glasses
Cord Knotter
Bead Tray
I will outline what all of these can do for you as it relates to bead craft described below.
The items I have in mind are:
Fishing Line
Magnifying Glasses
Cord Knotter
Bead Tray
I will outline what all of these can do for you as it relates to bead craft described below.
Fishing Line - If you are all out of silk thread and requiring to crank out a bead craft project, normal fishing line can be subbed in for the good stuff. Or, if you are only making a temporary piece and wish to save your silk thread for permanent creations, again, fishing line to the rescue! No bead craft toolkit could be without it!
Magnifying Glasses - This helpful item will save you both time (reducing the time needed turning your beadwork into reality), and prevent eyestrain by bringing those tiny, little pieces-parts into better focus. What's not to like about that! If you just get one piece of optional bead craft equipment, get these!
Cord Knotter - At around 10 bucks, this handy little item is the most costly of the "optional bead craft equipment," but well value the money, especially if you do any work at all with pearls. It assists with knot tying, and aids you get the knots right up against the beads, where you wish them to be (this can be an annoying process when attempting to get it right by hand). It might take a bit to get the hang of using it, but once you do, you will wonder how you and your bead craft projects got along without it!
Bead Tray - Funny how something as simple as a tray can make this type of big difference to your bead craft projects, but it really can! The most important advantage of a bead tray is that it is included with grooves for holding beads and the grooves are of ordinary shapes and sizes! So, while you're making
Magnifying Glasses - This helpful item will save you both time (reducing the time needed turning your beadwork into reality), and prevent eyestrain by bringing those tiny, little pieces-parts into better focus. What's not to like about that! If you just get one piece of optional bead craft equipment, get these!
Cord Knotter - At around 10 bucks, this handy little item is the most costly of the "optional bead craft equipment," but well value the money, especially if you do any work at all with pearls. It assists with knot tying, and aids you get the knots right up against the beads, where you wish them to be (this can be an annoying process when attempting to get it right by hand). It might take a bit to get the hang of using it, but once you do, you will wonder how you and your bead craft projects got along without it!
Bead Tray - Funny how something as simple as a tray can make this type of big difference to your bead craft projects, but it really can! The most important advantage of a bead tray is that it is included with grooves for holding beads and the grooves are of ordinary shapes and sizes! So, while you're making
Cord Knotter - At around 10 bucks, this handy little item is the most costly of the "optional bead craft equipment," but well value the money, especially if you do any work at all with pearls. It assists with knot tying, and aids you get the knots right up against the beads, where you wish them to be (this can be an annoying process when attempting to get it right by hand). It might take a bit to get the hang of using it, but once you do, you will wonder how you and your bead craft projects got along without it!
Bead Tray - Funny how something as simple as a tray can make this type of big difference to your bead craft projects, but it really can! The most important advantage of a bead tray is that it is included with grooves for holding beads and the grooves are of ordinary shapes and sizes! So, while you're making a necklace, simply play with your pattern on the bead tray, get it exactly how you want it, and then all your beads are already laid out in the exact pattern. Only pick 'em up and string!
Again, while none of the items stated here are extremely important, you'll probably discover that you enjoy bead craft a good deal more with these time saving tools, and you can pick up the full set for about $25. A small investment certainly for what they can do to enhance your bead craft experience, and the ways in which they can help you execute against your beadwork!
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Bead Tray - Funny how something as simple as a tray can make this type of big difference to your bead craft projects, but it really can! The most important advantage of a bead tray is that it is included with grooves for holding beads and the grooves are of ordinary shapes and sizes! So, while you're making a necklace, simply play with your pattern on the bead tray, get it exactly how you want it, and then all your beads are already laid out in the exact pattern. Only pick 'em up and string!
Again, while none of the items stated here are extremely important, you'll probably discover that you enjoy bead craft a good deal more with these time saving tools, and you can pick up the full set for about $25. A small investment certainly for what they can do to enhance your bead craft experience, and the ways in which they can help you execute against your beadwork!
About the Author:
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