The contents of this kit should be all you need to remake your broken
necklaces/bracelets, or as a starter kit for making your own designs
from scratch.
The wire is
strong enough for most types of bead, but, if you are using heavier,
larger beads, for added security, you could use two strands of wire
instead of one.
I now have the tiger tail wire in antique bronze, which will be replacing the silver/grey as show in the photo in the bronze kit!
The kit comes in a choice of silver plate, antique bronze and gold.
It contains...
2m x 0.38mm thick tiger tail wire
4 x 12mm lobster clasps
8 x 5mm split rings
8 x clam shell calottes
16 x 1.5mm crimp tubes
**
IMPORTANT NOTE
PLEASE READ...!!!
I don’t send instructions out with this kit, so please save or print the description below for guidance on how to use the kit.
You
should find following the guidance below, plus the numbered photos above for
referral will be all you need, but if you get stuck, please don’t
hesitate to message me and I’ll do my best to help.
1. Cut a length of wire, slightly longer than the finished length you need. You can use pliers or a strong pair of scissors.
2.
Thread a clamshell shaped callote onto one end, with the ‘hinge’ first,
towards the middle of the wire, and the two threading holes towards the
end of the wire.
3.Slide a tiny crimp tube onto the wire and gently, but firmly, squeeze it flat. I like to put a tiny blob of strong glue on the wire, before I put on the crimp tube, for extra security. It can help to use a pair of tweezers for handling the tubes (I prefer point nose ones). Trim of the excess wire very close to the crimp tube.
4.
Gently but firmly, squeeze the callote closed, over the crimp tube, so
that the tube is hidden inside it and the two threading holes come
together. Again, I will usually add more glue at this point, around the
crimp tube and inside the callote, for extra security.
This next bit is the most fiddly!!!.....Be patient....
5.You
need to attach a lobster clasp to one of the split rings and then
attach the split ring through the threading holes on the end of the
callote.
There are special 'split ring pliers' available for doing this, which makes it a lot easier, but they can be expensive. The easiest way I have found to do this part is to start to slide the lobster clasp on first, then, while the gap in the ring is still open, add the end of the calotte too and slide them both together onto the ring.
If
you can find something with a thin/pointed edge to it, to prise open
the split ring layers, it will help. (Mind your fingers). I had my own
method before I bought special pliers, but can’t give details on here,
as I cannot take responsibility for any injuries!!!
If you’re really stuck, message me and I’ll try to help...
6.Once you’ve got the split ring and lobster clasp attached, it’s time for the fun bit!!! Thread your beads onto the wire.
7.
Slide a callote onto the wire, as before, ‘hinge’ first, up to the last
bead, with the threading holes towards the end of the wire. It is advisable to leave a very small space here, to allow for movement. If you lay your beadwork flat and curve it into shape, this will help to check if you have left enough room, before you tighten everything up.
8.Slide a crimp tube up close toward the hinge of the callote and squeeze flat as before, again, using glue if preferred.
9.Squeeze the callote closed over the crimp tube, again, using glue if preferred.
10. Attach a split ring through the threading holes on the callote.
You will receive one repair kit, as listed above (no beads included in this kit).
Thanks for looking!!!