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The word 'findings' is used to collectively describe a variety of metal components used to make jewellery. These come in silver, gold, & nickel. The quality of findings can vary greatly & it is best to purchase the finding most suited to what you are making.
Head Pins - These are a length of wire with a flat or decorated head at one end. The object of a head pin is to hold an end bead or series of beads to create a dangle. Thread on bead/s, trim then create a loop at the opposite end. This loop can then connect onto other 'findings' to create jewellery. They come in many different lengths & several thicknesses. Thin head pins would be used for small holed items such as pearls, most glass & acrylic beads will fit onto a normal size head pin.
Eye Pins - These are just like heads pins, but instead of a head on one end, they have a loop (eye). These are used to connect to other pins to form a linked piece, such as a chain necklace or long earrings.
Jump Rings - These are round rings of wire with a cut to enable opening that will connect links & clasps to each other. To enable jump rings to be secure, they must be opened a certain way to ensure it has a good closing. A jump ring should be opened by holding one side with pliers & using another pair of pliers grasp the other side & pull at the opening towards you using a slight twisting motion. To close a jump ring reverse this process & ensure the ends meet close to each other.
Split Ring - A double metal ring similar to jump rings, like a key ring. They are more secure than a jump ring when joining work.
Crimp Beads - These are tiny, soft, large holed, thin walled, metal beads. Their purpose is to be flattened to secure beads onto tiger tail. They are flattened by squashing them with chain nose pliers. You can also purchase special crimping tools to round the crimp bead for a different effect.
Tiger tail - This is a strong, nylon coated flexible wire that is used for stringing jewellery. It is quiet thick so it is easy to pick up beads with, without the need for a needle. Some beads have sharp edges, so tiger tail is great when using these instead of beading thread which they may cut. Illusion or floating necklaces are made with tiger tail by spacing beads on the tiger tail & securing them with a crimp bead to give the appearance of the beads 'floating'. It comes in different thicknesses, colors & quality. The cheaper tiger tail has a tendency to kink. The dearer brands have more strands of wire which makes it more flexible.
Shepherd's Hooks/ Kidney Wires - These are earring wires for pierced ears formed into a hook with a loop at the end to attach head or eye pins.
Parrot/Lobster Clasp/ Bolt Ring / Toggle Clasp - These are clasps for the end of bracelets & necklaces. You clip the end tag onto clasps to secure the piece of jewellery closed. Toggles are a ring with a bar that slots through the ring to close. They are ideal for bracelets which are difficult to do up your self with parrot clasps or bolt ring. You can also purchase magnetic clasps that will magnetize together - these are great for elderly people who often have trouble securing clasps.
End Tag - A flat piece of metal that has a small hole at one end & a larger hole at the other end. The small hole joins to the end of your piece; the larger hole is secured to the end of a lobster clasp or bolt ring.
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