A subject not much discussed in articles regarding bead craft is what I like to all "optional equipment." Understandably, most of the articles on beading ideas focus on the beading projects, or the beads themselves and several discussions revolving around patterning, color selection and so forth, but at least some concentration must be given to the optional items of equipment, as 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'll 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 are only making a temporary piece and want to save your silk thread for permanent creations, again, fishing line to the rescue! No bead craft toolkit should be without it!

Magnifying Glasses - This handy item will save you both time (reducing the time spent turning your beading ideas into reality), and prevent eyestrain by bringing those very small, little pieces-parts into better focus. What's not to like about that! If you just get one piece of optional bead craft tools, get these!

Cord Knotter - At around ten bucks, this handy little item is the most expensive of the "optional bead craft equipment," but well worth the money, specially if you do any work at all with pearls. It helps with knot tying, and helps you get the knots right up against the beads, where you wish them to be (this can be a frustrating process when trying to get it right by hand). It might take a bit to get the hang of using it, but once you do, you'll wonder how you & your bead craft projects got along without it!

Bead Tray - Amusing how something as simple as a tray can make this type of big difference to your bead craft projects, but it really can! The major advantage 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, simply 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. Just pick 'em up and string!

Again, while none of the items mentioned here are absolutely essential, you'll possibly discover that you enjoy bead craft a good deal more with these time saving devices, and you can pick up the full set for around $25. A small investment indeed for what they can do to improve your bead craft experience, and the ways in which they can help you execute against your beading ideas!

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