Portable Storage Bag From Beadsmith, incl. tool set

When you're getting started with making jewelry, three pliers will take you a long way: a round nose pliers, a flat nose pliers and a cutting pliers. With them you can shape eyes, open and close jump rings, and cut wire and pins – and that covers most projects.

The first three pliers

• Round Nose Pliers – for round eyes, curves and spirals in wire
• Flat nose pliers or pointed flat nose pliers – for holding, bending and opening and closing jump rings
• Cutting Pliers – for cutting wire and pins, preferably a flush cutter, which gives a straight and smooth cut

When you want to go further

• Looping pliers – when your eyes need to be exactly the same size
• Crimping pliers – when you make jewelry on wire with crimp beads
• Pliers for hard wire – when you work with memory wire or steel wire
• Wire and chain pliers – when you need to shorten chains

Why a set?

A tool set brings together the most important pliers in one place, often in a case, so they're easy to carry and keep track of. If the set includes two flat nose pliers, it also becomes much easier to open and close jump rings.

In short: Start with a round nose pliers, a flat nose pliers and a cutting pliers – then you're ready for most jewelry projects. You can add the rest as your projects grow.