Making the Most of Your Xuron® Tools
Chapter 2 of Our Awesome Weekend of Beads
There are a lot of things I like about a trade show but one of the most enjoyable is having the opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends. Yes, we’re all there to do business but the importance of the social component cannot be underestimated.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “its what’s on the inside that counts”. I’m here to remind you how true this is and the Philadelphia Convention Center is a great example – it’s not pretty on the outside, but inside you find a world of things sparkling, colorful, unique and fun.
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Bead weaving always seemed a bit out of my league — too complicated, beads too small, I don’t have the patience…. the list goes on. When my friend, Traci Otte, told me that one of her designs was going to be featured in the July 2014 issue of Bead Style magazine and, that it incorporated saucer beads (larger than seed beads), I decided this would be a perfect first project for me.
Wire, wire, wire. If you love working with wire but don’t love those tiny cut-off bits that litter your workspace, we have just the solution. Xuron®’s Model 9100F Oval Head Micro-Shear® Flush Cutter comes equipped with a magic “wire retaining clip” that holds cut-off wire pieces.
If you’re looking for a versatile tool that can help you with various jewelry-making tasks, the Xuron® 450BN Bent Nose Pliers are a great option. These pliers have tips bent at a 450° angle, making them ideal for opening and closing jump rings with your hands in a comfortable position. They’re also great for making closed-wrapped loops, working in tight areas, or handling small objects. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced jewelry maker, bent nose pliers are an essential tool to have in your collection.
In the short video below, we’ll show you how to use the 450BN to make closed-wrapped loops, how to attach the loop to your chain directly or with a jump ring, and how to easily open and close jump rings.
Note that although the beginning of the video is not well-lit, after the introduction (at about the 27-second mark), the camera points directly at the work area, and the lighting is immediately better.
