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Crimp beads
From the pages of BeadStyle magazine, step-by-step references to techniques used in bead-stringing projects: flattened and folded crimps.

Flattened crimp 1. String a crimp bead, seed bead, and clasp on flexible beading wire. Go back through the seed bead and crimp bead.

2. Hold the crimp in the tip of your chainnose pliers. Squeeze the pliers firmly to flatten the crimp. Tug the clasp to make sure the crimp has a solid grip on the wire. If the wire slides, reposition the crimp, squeeze it again and retest.

3. The flattened crimp.

Folded crimp 4. String a crimp, seed bead, and clasp as in step 1 of flattened crimp, above, and go back through these beads. Grab the crimp in the notch closest to the crimping tool's handle.

5. Separate the wires and squeeze the crimp firmly.

6. Move the crimp to the opening at the tool's tip and hold the crimp as shown. Squeeze the crimp, folding it in half at the indentation.

7. The folded crimp.

Folded crimp end 25. Glue one end of the cord and place it in a crimp end. Use chainnose pliers to fold one side of the crimp end over the leather.

26. Repeat on the other side and squeeze gently.