Bead Stopper

by Tahira Designs on August 14, 2012

As some of you may know, my adventures in jewelry making started with simple beading. I wish I would have found something like the Bead Stoppers I bought from Fire Mountain Gems back then. I say like, because I was not happy with these. Sorry FM, but these are going to be the first product that gets a thumbs down.

While the idea is good, the product doesn’t seem to be sturdy enough. The only time it worked was if I was using very lightweight beads on a single strand. It seems like every time I picked up the necklace to check the length, the stoppers would fail and I’d drop the whole thing.

Another problem I had with these was that they left marks on the wire. Since it was going to be covered with the beads, it wasn’t a big deal. If you’re doing any work where the wire will be left exposed, this is not a good thing.

It’s kind of hard to see in these pics, but all the white specs on the wire are where it kinked the wire.

Before I bought these, I was using binder clips from the office supply store. I think I will stick to those. They have more tension and don’t leave marks on the wire.

They have another item, the Bead Bug, have any of you tried that? Does it work any better?

For its lack of strength and it leaving marks on the wire, I’m going to have to give this a thumbs down.

Tahira Designs

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Tahira Designs August 17, 2012 at 10:17 am

That’s great!! Do you think the have the same amount or more tension than the binder clips? That was my biggest issue with the Bead Stoppers.

HeatherD August 17, 2012 at 2:51 am

I just started using Beadbugs and REALLY like them. No marks on my stringing materials yet (1 month so far) and it really holds stuff in place. I used to use binder clips, but am probably not going back.

Tahira Designs August 15, 2012 at 2:26 am

What a great idea, I would have never thought of that. Thanks!

Kirsten August 14, 2012 at 9:23 pm

I have always used either that pink hair tape that used to be sold everywhere or blue painters masking tape.
No crimping and no glue left behind.

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