Beading help please

What you want is commonly called a beading hoop.

Here's an example or two:

and And here are some google results:

I've been wondering if ring-sized memory wire would work for that?

marisa2

Denise or Mick wrote:

it should...i've also seen glass charms that are spirals of wire, instead of the hoops....they snake up the stem, and I like them better anyway.

Yes, you can use that, but memory wire can be difficult to bend into a loop and you really need to use special memory wire cutters on it, otherwise you ruin your 'regular' cutters.

Barb

You might consider buying wire and round-nose pliers, and making them yourself... you'll save boucoup bucks!

-Kalera

Denise or Mick wrote:

Ring size Memory wire and a cheap pair of "hobby" pliers from local hardware shop will do the trick! That's what I did for mine.

Charlie.

Welcome to the group Denise. I am in the UK so if I can help please email me. Shirley

In message , Denise or Mick writes

Unfortunately, the cheap hobby pliers won't stand up to use on memory wire. Although, there are smaller-sized cutters/nippers available (at my LHS, anyway) for under ten dollars. And you'd still need needle-nosed pliers for looping the ends, or memory wire ends (which I couldn't get to stay on, no matter how much glue I used).

I'd prefer the hoops myself, but when I was making wine glass charms, I couldn't find hoops smaller than one inch.

Cheers, Carla

Charlie wrote:

Hi Denise, The nearst thing I've ever seen in the UK is item 1992T on this page:

Wire and round nosed pliers would probably be just as good though. PJ Minerals are excellent, I can't praise them highly enough and I see from their website they have a new catalogue coming out soon! Woo-hoo!

Cheers, Rachel M

I use round nosed pliers from the hardware store for memory wire.

I use the jewelry pliers for everything else, but I wouldn't use them for memory wire.. you can feel the strain on them. Also, definately get a memory wire cutter. Your other cutters will be totally ruined by memory wire. A good seller for the cutter on eBay is:

Unfortunately, the cheap hobby pliers won't stand up to use on memory

Hi Carla, I found the 1 inch hoops pretty fiddly, and cutting the memory wire bracelet took a heavy duty pair of cutters. Thanks for your advice, and with the help of this group, I', sure to find something. Thanks Denise

Hi Rachael, thanks for the advice will be looking at the site later, think I'll hide my credit card before I browse anywhere though. Don't want to give TMILW a heart attack. Regards Denise

Hi Marisa2, I had to use the heavy duty cutters, there's no way I had the strength to cut through with my tiny ones. I suppose I should use all the beads I bought and make something, but they look so pretty in their boxes, I hate to separate them (smile). Thanks a lot Denise

I recommended them because that's what I use. Mine lasted a good few months then I got another pair for £1.40 ($3)! I also loop the ends of memory wire with bobby pliers because I can get a good grip with them and the wire doesn't mark.

Charlie.