I thought I’d try out a new feature. I want to acquaint my readers with different aspects of the jewelry-making process. The beads are going to get back on track, but I thought I could talk a little about the tools I work with. Some of you who read this blog may actually want to make your own jewelry.
The first tool, which sadly was one of the last to make it into my tool kit, is the round-nosed plier. Quite simply, there isn’t a single piece that goes through here that isn’t touched by a pair of round-nosed pliers. They’re perfect for creating eyepins and for starting off wrapped wire designs. I also like to use them to help open and close jump rings.
The round nosed plier looks like a normal pair of pliers, except the prongs are round cones, tapering toward their tips. They generally very easy to use. I have never seen one with teeth, so they are ideal for working with colored wired, craft wire, and precious metal wire.
A good pair of round-nosed pliers can even serve as a wire jig if you don’t have the money to invest in one. In fact, all of my patterns are written for both round-nosed pliers and wire jigs because of this very thing.
I have two in my collection. The first is one from WildWire. The second, which has a more tapered nose, is from a set produced by Westrim Crafts. Both are easily available from your local craft store.
