Basic Tools For Beading: A Guide To Creating The Ultimate Toolkit

Beading is a fantastic way to create beautiful, decorative jewellery and keepsakes. But what do you need to get started and to help make your designs come to life? Here is our guide to the essential tools needed in every good beader’s toolkit, as well as the best beading tools to help you really master the craft.

Essential beading tools

Here are all the essential tools for anyone getting started on their beading journey.

• Bead board – Beads can be slippery little customers. Keep them in place and ready to use with a bead board. A good bead board will have space for you to organise your beads. Many also have measurements and guides on them to help you create your jewellery. The BeadSmith Flocked Bead Board is a good example. Not only does it have a flocked surface to stop beads rolling away, it also has measurements in both inches and centimetres, as well as a handy lid so you can carry it around with you for beading on the go.

• Pliers – Pliers are an essential part of the beader’s tool kit and are used for important tasks including linking chains on jewellery and opening or closing jump rings. There are two main types: Chain Nose Pliers, such as the Durston Professional Chain Nose Pliers 115mm, have flat noses that allow you to manipulate wire easily. Round nose pliers, like these from Beadsmith, have rounded ends that are used for creating loops in wire. Beaders could also buy a set of pliers, such as the Beading Pliers Toolkit, which has all your plier needs covered in one case.

• Wire cutters – Use these to snip wire safely and easily while creating your beaded masterpieces.

• Beading needles – Make threading beads with a small hole or using a fine thread much simpler and quicker by using a beading needle. Insert your wire or thread into the eye of the needle and push the beads onto the needle and down onto the wire. These are usually sold in different sizes and in multipacks, such as Pony Beading Needles Pack of 6.

These are the essential tools needed for beading but there are many other tools which can come in extremely handy.

All the beading tools you need for jewellery making

The following are some of the best beading tools which, while not quite essentials, can help make your beading life easier and elevate the quality of your creations.

• Bead reamer – These can be used to enlarge bead holes and soften edges on beads. These are useful tools for beaders of all levels. Try a set of bead reamers such as BeadSmith Bead Reamer Set to give plenty of size options.

• Bead knotting needle – These help to make sure knots are tight. Use it to push down a knot so it rests against its bead, making it more secure. A bead knotting tool can assist with getting the knot exactly where you want it, and can also help with loosening knots and picking threads.

• Tweezers – Use bead holding tweezers to hold and pick up beads. They have slightly cupped ends, allowing you to handle your beads with ease and precision.

• Sharps beading needles – This variety of beading needles is used for hand sewing beaded decorations or embroidery onto fabric.

Why not explore the beading tools section of our website where you will find everything you need to create lovely beaded jewellery.