A topic not much discussed in articles concerning bead craft is what I like to all “optional equipment.” Understandably, most of the articles on beadwork concentrate on the beading projects, or the beads themselves and many discussions rotating around patterning, color choosing and so forth, but at least a few attention must be given to the optional items of tools, because they can make your life easier and increase your enjoyment of bead craft in general.

The items I have in mind are:

Fishing Line

Magnifying Glasses

Cord Knotter

Bead Tray

I will outline what each of these can do for you as it relates to bead craft below.

Fishing Line – If you are all out of silk thread and requiring to crank out a bead craft project, simple fishing line can be subbed in for the good stuff. Or, if you’re only making a temporary piece and wish to save your silk thread for permanent creations, again, fishing line to the rescue! No bead craft toolkit could be without it!

Magnifying Glasses – This handy item will save you both time (reducing the time needed turning your beadwork into reality), and prevent eyestrain by bringing those tiny, little pieces-parts into better focus. What’s not to like about that! If you only get one piece of optional bead craft tools, get these!

Cord Knotter – At around 10 usd , this helpful little item is the most expensive of the “optional bead craft equipment,” but well value the money, specially if you do any work at all with pearls. It assists with knot tying, and aids you get the knots right up against the beads, where you wish them to be (this could be a frustrating process when trying to get it right by hand). It might take a lttle bit to get the hang of using it, but when you do, you’ll wonder how you and your bead craft projects got along without it!

Bead Tray – Amusing how something as simple as a tray can make such a big difference to your bead craft projects, but it really can! The major benefit of a bead tray is that it comes with grooves for holding beads and the grooves are of standard shapes and sizes! So, while you are making a necklace, just play with your pattern on the bead tray, get it exactly how you want it, and then all your beads are already laid out in the exact pattern. Only pick ‘em up and string!

Again, while none of the items stated here are very important, you’ll possibly discover that you enjoy bead craft a good deal more with these time saving tools, and you can pick up the whole set for approximately $25. A small investment certainly for what they can do to improve your bead craft experience, and the ways in which they can help you execute against your beadwork!

Get more great bead craft ideas on our website: http://www.beadcraftideas.com/