Basic Techniques

Flattening crimps
Crimps are small metal tubes that are made to be flattened. They can be used to attach two ends of string together, or to hold
beads in place. To flatten a crimp, simply hold the crimp in place with a pair of flat-nose pliers and gently press the sides together.
Making dangling beads
To turn a regular bead into a dangling bead, insert a headpin into the bead, and slide the bead down so it rests on the flat end of
headpin. Using round-nose pliers, twist the top of the headpin into a loop. Cut off any excess wire with wire cutters.
Making open jump rings
Several projects in this book call for open jump rings, sometimes as many as 200 or more! Making your own jump rings is easy, and
can be much less expensive than buying prepared ones. You'll need flexible metal wire to make the rings-1 usually use 20 or 24
gauge (0.9 mm or 0.6 mm) wire, but any wire that is flexible enough to wrap will do. You'll also need a wooden dowel in the appropriate
diameter, and a wire saw.
Wrap the wire around the dowel in a tight coil. Make as many rounds as you need jump rings. When the wire is tightly coiled, use
the saw to cut the wire in a straight line along the length of the dowel.
Opening and closing jump rings
The easiest way to open and close jump rings is by using two sets of pliers. Two flat-nose pliers are best, but you can use round-nose
pliers as well. If you have only one set of pliers, that's fine too; you'll just have to grasp one end of the jump ring with your fingers.
To open the ring, hold one set of pliers in each hand and grasp one end of the jump ring in each set of pliers. Position the ring so
that you see through the hole. Now draw one pair of pliers towards you and push the other pair away. Do not unroll the
jump ring. To close the ring, draw the pliers back to their original position.
Sewing buttons together
To sew two 2-hole buttons together, hold the buttons so they are back to back, with the holes lined up. Insert the thread into the
bottom hole of one button, and out the corresponding hole of the other button. Draw the thread through, leaving a 2" (5 em) tail behind
the first button. Insert the thread into the top hole of the second button, and out the corresponding hole of the first button. Repeat the
process to secure the buttons. Tie a knot with the tail thread and cut both ends close to the knot. The technique for sewing 4-hole
buttons together is almost identical, just insert the thread on a diagonal each time you insert it into the same button, and repeat the
process twice, to make an X on each button.
Sewing buttons onto fabric
To sew a 2-hole button onto fabric, insert the thread on the underside of the fabric and draw out through the top. Draw the thread out
a button hole, leaving a 2" (5 em) tail on the underside of the fabric. Insert the thread into an empty hole and draw through to the underside
of the fabric. Tie a knot with the tail to secure. The technique for sewing a 4-hole button onto fabric is almost identical, just insert
the thread on a diagonal each time you insert it into the same button, and repeat the process twice, to make an X on each button.