Crimping

1 Thread a crimp tube onto one end of the length of stringing cable. Now thread the end through the bottom left hole of your clasp and then back into the crimp tube. Using the crimping pliers, place the tube in the second notch of the pliers to create a half moon shape.

2 Place the tube into the first notch of the crimping pliers to press the crimp into a small tube to secure. Repeat for the other side making sure the length corresponds with the right hole of the clasp.

How to make your own jump rings

Jump rings are the simplest findings to make yourself. As well as being cheap to make, you have a lot more choice in terms of the gauge, shape, colour and size. To make your own jump rings, you need to invest in a jump ring maker and some wire ranging between 0.6mm and 1mm in diameter.

1 Assemble the jump ring maker. Cut a suitable length of wire using flush cutters; insert the end of the wire into the hole of the jump ring maker.

2 Take the wire around the mandrel of the jump ring maker and coil it around several times until you come to the end of the wire.

3 Slide the wire off the mandrel and using the flush cutters cut along the coil of wire in a straight line. Flush cutters will cut the wire neatly which mean the ends of the jump rings will meet.

4 For those of you who have more experience with wirework you can create your own jump rings by coiling the wire around the jaw of a pair of round nose pliers. This is particularly useful if you need one or two jump rings making at short notice!

Using a jump ring

To open a jump ring you will need two pairs of pliers; either flat nose or chain nose pliers. Grab the jump ring in two places near the join using the pliers and twist the ends away from each other. To close the jump ring, twist the ends back together again. Never pull a jump ring apart; it will ruin the tension and shape of the jump ring.

Opening a split ring

A split ring is used for when extra security is needed to attach charms or to connect a clasp to a piece of jewellery. It works as a doubled up jump ring. To open one you will need a pair of split ring pliers; insert the tip of the pliers into the split ring, and as the gap opens slide on the charm or clasp.

Turning a loop

To turn a loop you will need a pair of round nose pliers. Turn the wire at a right angle then move the jaw of the pliers to the end of the wire, turn the wire back on itself to form a loop. Make the wire loop meet so your piece of jewellery will be secure.

Wrapped loop

1 First make the headpin neck (using round nosed pliers)

2 Wrap the scarf round the neck holding the head with chain nosed pliers and wrap the headpin with the round nosed pliers.

3 The excess of the ‘scarf’ should be trimmed using cutters and the end gently squeezed in for a neat non-scratch finish using chain nosed pliers.

How to create metal coils

To make coils cut a length of wire to measure approximately 10cm in length. Using round nose pliers make a loop in one end of the wire then continue to wrap the wire around the loop, using the nylon jaw pliers. Keep wrapping for just over half way of the wire and then coil the other end in the opposite direction. You could even hammer the coil to add texture.