Rfew simple techniques, findings, and tools are all you need to put together rand finish the projects in this book. Once you are familiar with them, it will be easier to concentrate on the creative aspects of designing a piece, and you will have the confidence you need to \ begin a great project. findings Finishing a piece of jewelry is sometimes the most important step in the process of creating it. You want a piece that will hold up and look professional at the same time. The right findings—^the metal components that hold a piece of jew- elry together—can really enhance a piece. Choose findings that complement the other materials in the piece and don't detract from the overall look you are trying to achieve. Bead shops, craft stores, and catalogs sell a variety of findings for making jewelry. The findings listed here are commonly used in jewelrymaking.

JUMP RINGS are small piece to attach purchased metal loops that are used to ear wires. link components together. Jump rings are available in HEAD PINS are short fine or base metal. wires with a ball or flat pad on one end. You can hang a SPLIT RINGS are like bead on a head pin and key rings. You can use then coil the pin's top to them in place of iump rings make a loop for hanging. without having to use pli- Open jump rings by twisting the ers. They are great for EYE PINS are similar to ends out to each side with pliers. heavy pieces or stressed head pins, except they have Close jump rings in the same fash- areas where you don't want a loop instead of a ball at the ion by bringing the ends back in from the sides. to risk having a jump ring bottom. This allows you to pull apart. hang another piece or bead to dangle from the loop. BAILS are decorative loops or connectors that PIN BACKS can be glued are placed at the top of a to the back of a pin with pendant and used to hang epoxy, or some pin backs pendants from chains. come with ready-to-use adhesive strips. They are EAR WIRES are available sold in different sizes and in a variety of styles and styles. Pin backs are usually metal finishes. Use jump available in base metal or Don't pull jump rings open and rings or leave holes in your apart. This weakens them by adding sterling silver. stress to the metal. designei style jewelry 12 CLASPS are closures used CRIMP BEADS are tiny BEAD TIPS are used to join the ends of a neck- beads used to secure the to cover knots when lace or bracelet together. end of nylon-coated wire. stringing with thread. Loop-and-toggle, lobster {See page 16 for instruc- Bead tips have two cups, claw, spring ring, hook- tions on using crimp beads.] like a clamshell, that and-eye, and barrel are all Crimp beads can also be close together to hide types of clasps that are used to hide knots on the the knot and a hook that available commercially. ends of cord for a neat attaches to a jump ring Clasps can really add to finish. If used on cord, they or clasp. To help secure your overall design, so can simply be glued over the knot, apply a drop of choose a clasp that com- the knot or flattened over glue to it before closing plements your piece in the knot with a pair of flat- the bead tip. style and weight. nose pliers.

Findings are the hardware you need to pull your jewelry designs together. Clockwise from top left: Pir) backs, loop-and-toggle clasps, lobster claw clasp, ear wires, silver head pins, brass head pins, eye pins, crimp beads, and jump rings.