Do you have a favorite new tool or gadget you would like to tell other beaders about? If so, please post it here!
My bestest most favorite gadget is a little bitty device called "The Bead Stopper™". It's the simplest thing ever, basically just a modified coil spring, but this item has made my beading life soooo much easier since I discovered it. This elegant, brilliant little device completely ended the constant problem of beads sliding off the end of the beading wire or elastic cord while stringing necklaces and bracelets! In the past I tried tying knots, but they kinked the beading wire and came out of the elastic cord. I tried using tape, it came off. I tried using earring safety backs, they fell off. The bead stopper, on the other hand, holds everything snug and securely in place until you are ready to finish off your item with a clasp or knot. I find it particularly useful for multi-strand projects. As far as I'm concerned every beader needs these, and you will want several if you like to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
P.S. I am in no way affiliated with the manufactur or sale of Bead Stopper™. I do think, however, that these little doohickeys are a godsend to beaders.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 7
Another item (not so much a gadget) that I've found to be very, very useful when beading is a simple pair of reading glasses.
I consider myself lucky to be in my 40s and not need glasses for reading or driving, but I find threading those tiny beading needles very frustrating! At my last eye exam the opthamologist told me that I'm becoming a bit nearsighted (which I suspected) and suggested trying low magnification reading glasses if I wanted a bit of help. So I bought a pair just for beading. Wow! What a difference! I now wear them whenever I bead, and they make threading needles a snap, not to mention finding the holes in those teensy tiny size 15 seed beads.
However, this is the first I've heard of the Bead Stopper, must have come along after my time or was something I just never saw in any of my catalogs... but sounds like a great little gadget. I hear ya about all the miserable fixes.... earring backs, tape, knots. I'm one of those beaders that can't start w/ a fixed end - I like working out from the middle so I'll have to pick up one of those little buggers, it'll save me a lot of frustration I'm sure!
Thanks for sharing!