Questions for the experts here

1. Am looking to upgrade my pliers (esp round nose) and am looking at all the various brands like Beadsmith, Beadalon, Euro, OHM and Lindstrom. I have a decent budget saved up for something that's nice and good quality that will last. Are the mini ones good and what are they used for besides travel? What about Beadsmith - pro vs. ergonomic ones. Is Lindstrom worth the money? What about buying a set at Sears? Also, where is the best place to get them? I don't trust too many sellers on eBay.

1. Accuflex, softflex or Beadalon? I started out buying supplies at Michaels and got Beadalon but now one of the local bead shops in El Cajon. CA suggested softflex (as had many other posts). I've used it and find it to be much nicer in flexibility but I don't like the "clear" color - too dull silver. Any suggestions?

2. Are the Rio Grande catalogs worth the money? I'd like to get them but after spending on the Shipwreck beads catalog and never buying from them I'd hate to do so. What other on line sources do you mostly use? I have had great service and prices from Fire Mtn Gems.

Barbara

Blogs at and eBay & Justbeads:penguintrax and good quality that will last. Are the mini ones good and what are

1. Most pliers I have tried are decent quality, so I am not much help here.

1. I prefer Softflex over everything else - very durable and drapes very well. There's a new version out that has a shiny silver coating - it's really pretty.

2. Hmmm - no help there either, I'm afraid. :)

1. YES! And I recommend them over Fire Mt every time. I dislike Fire Mt's business practices.

2. I personally like them all, but I would like them better if they had fewer ads and more projects. I buy them based on which projects I happen to like that month. I can't say I prefer any of them over the others.

Good luck!

softflex just came out with a red color wire. They have the regular stainless steel silver, gold plated and sterling plated. check their website, I think they have some other colors as well. Armand

1. I like the Eurotools myself. Mark Lareau, from the Bead Factory also markets a line of tools - their cutters are especially nice and will cut softflex. I think their shipping is a little high, but he also does a lot of the bigger bead shows.
   formatting link
   The smaller sets of tools will only work for you if you have really small hands. Otherwise, you will not be able to use them for hours at a time, they will cause hand strain.

1. Softfex, definitely. Beadalon will break. Softflex now makes a silver color, it's pretty, but harder to find. Soft Touch is nice for pearls. I like the colored brands of softflex for stations of furnace class.

2. Can't help you there.
3. Rio Grande catalogs are usually free at major bead shows. Once you order from them, they send you a set of catalogs every year. I never order from Fire Mountain, their lack of quality totally offends me. I have a wholesale license, so I buy most of my beads wholesale. Some of them I buy on Ebay as well. Lately, I've just been going into NYC and buying there or at major bead shows. Lampwork I buy directly from the artists' websites or their Ebay sales.
4. I like Bead & Button. I don't do any bead weaving, so I only buy Beadwork when they have interesting projects or articles. I also like Bead Unique. I find Step by Step Beads too elementary for me. Since Lapidary Journal has developed all these bead mags, their LJ has suffered in quality and content, I no longer buy that. Ornament is fabulous, aimed at fiber and beads - good for creative ideas. The Crafts Report if you are going to sell or are interested in galleries.

1. I like Bead & Button. I don't do any bead weaving, so I only buy Beadwork when they have interesting projects or articles. I also like Bead Unique. I find Step by Step Beads too elementary for me. Since Lapidary Journal has developed all these bead mags, their LJ has suffered in quality and content, I no longer buy that. Ornament is fabulous, aimed at fiber and beads - good for creative ideas. The Crafts Report if you are going to sell or are interested in galleries.

Ditto years ago I subscribed to LJ when it was one of the few places that discussed art beads... Step By Step - not insterested. Bead Unique - have glanced at it -ok Beadwork and Bead and Button were the last two I maintained any interest in ---but both are starting to bore me.... I still have a sub to Band B -- but have not renewed my Beadwork... I can pick up a copy at the bookstore if it has something in it that appeals to me. - for years I was the same way with spinning/weaving - took all of the Interweave magazines - but have eventually stopped subscribing to any of them..... I dropped Ornament last year - but ended up buying many on the newstand -- so I renewed when I got a good offer from them in the mail. Ornament is really eye candy -(no projects/directions) but I still love it, I guess because it is a combination of both fiber and jewelry... LOL

I get Rio Grande Catalogs free every year -- once you buy something you get them.. I think you can get them free if you ask for them via phone or through their website.

Cheryl

I want to provide some input on tools especially. Get very good ones that minimize the stress on your hands. I have found that out the hard way ... I have a Repetitive Stress Injury that sidelined me from all beadwork last October, and it is starting to look like I will not get to return to that activity for several more months, if at all.

Handles need adequate padding, the size should fit your hand without you having to assume a cramped position, and the action should be smooth. Undue pressure or stress is not good. Economy is *not* good when it comes to tools! I was using small "mini" pliers; I would not choose to do that again.

Gina