Tools For Beginners

Thinking of starting a jewelry-making business but don't know what you will need? Here are some of the necessary tools to have on your jewelry-making supplies list. It's a lot easier to get started than you may think! As a beginner you only need a few hand tools, some basic supplies, and your imagination!

We have tons of tutorials and advice on our Youtube channel, and our Pinterest boards are full of inspiration and design ideas!

We go over most of these tools in the video below:

Pliers come in different designs for different purposes so it can be confusing to figure out which one to use when starting a jewelry-making business.

Round Nose Pliers

The round nose pliers are a must have for creating loops, opening and closing jump rings, and gripping onto findings and components. They are possibly the most versatile pair of pliers that you will have in your tool kit.

Chain Nose Pliers

Chain nose pliers are among the most basic tools in jewelry making. Unlike needle nose pliers you'd find in a hardware store, they have smooth jaws that minimize the marring of wires. They also have tapered tips with rounded edges, which help grasp wires and make bends. They can also be used to flatten round crimp beads or shape wire.

Bent Chain Nose Pliers

Similar to the chain nose pliers, bent chain nose pliers have a tapered half rounded curved nose to really help you get a good grip on the wire, jump rings, or components. We especially love these because they are ergonomic and super easy to use. They are great for getting into smaller areas when connecting multiple components together or opening and closing jump rings.

Flat Nose Pliers

Flat nose pliers have a wide flat nose which make them perfect for gripping onto larger components and findings. They can also be used to bend wire with precision.

Stepped Bail Pliers

Stepped bail pliers are a great tool for making consistent loops. They are useful when bending and shaping precise curves and loops. This tool allows you to make 6 different sizes of loops starting at 2mm and going up to 9mm. This is especially helpful when making handmade chain, because they allow you to keep your work neat and uniform.

Knotting Pliers

Knotting pliers are intended for knotting thread or cord between pearls and beads. They allow you to make tight and precise knots close to the bead. Watch this video for directions on knotting a Mala necklace.

No matter what stringing material you use, an effective cutting tool is a necessity.

Nipper Tool

The nipper tool, which is sometimes referred to as a cutter tool, is used for cutting metal wire and stringing wire. With their comfortable easy to grip handles and pointed nose, they can get into small spaces with ease to nip a nice clean flush cut in stringing wire or metal wires.

Scissors

It's good to have a nice sharp pair of scissors for cutting cord, thread, elastic, and other soft stinging materials.

Crimping Tool & Crimp Tubes

The crimp tool is essential if you are using stringing wire to create beaded jewelry. You use this tool along with a crimp tube, to secure a clasp, or closure to the end of the beading wire, giving your jewelry a secure and professional finish.

Crimp tools have two notches The one closest to the handles crimps the tube into a kidney bean shape separating the beading wire into their own little compartments. The notch that is closest to the tip of the pliers is then used to fold the crimp tube in half. You can use a crimp cover to conceal the crimp bead for an extra professional look or leave it as is!

For more detailed information on using the crimp tool check out this video on our YouTube channel.

Building your toolkit depends on the type of jewelry you’re making and the materials you’re using. For instance, you might not need a pair of knotting pliers if you don’t intend to be doing that type of work, or in place of the chain nose or flat nose pliers you could just incorporate a second pair of round nose pliers. As you develop your skills and determine which direction you’d like to go with jewelry making, it will be easier to expand upon your tool kit!

Click here to shop Cherry Tree Beads' full collection of tools, supplies, and more.