These come in different sizes and colors but are generally circular hoops use to connect the different components of your piece. They can be used in any type of jewelry and are helpful in attaching clasps, adding length to pieces, and, depending on the make, they can add additional flair. Please note that jump rings should not be pried apart as this weakens them. Instead, grasp one end with a pair of pliers and do the same with the other. Very gently, pull the ends in opposite directions until the gap is wide enough to slip onto what you're working with.

The jaws of these pliers get significantly narrower from the base to the tip.

The jaws of these pliers are both rounded as opposed to most which are flat on the inside. These are perfect for making loops in eye pins, head pins and wire.

Just as the name implies, these look a lot like a garden tool. The nose is short and looks like a lobster claw. They are used to cut wire, head pins, eye pins and other thin metal bits.

Memory wire is extremely resilliant and will always retain it's circular shape. The wire itself is extremely hard and will scratch, knick, or otherwise damage your pliers and wire cutters. For this reason, it is reccommended that you purchase an inexpensive pair of pliers and wire cutters to perserve your tools.

The gauge of a wire refers to its thickness. As with needles and body piercing jewelry, the lower the number, the thinner the wire is. For example, 22 gauge wire is thinner than 24 gauge wire and 20 gauge wire is thicker than 22 gauge wire. It takes some time getting used to.

One of three clasps you'll see used on this site, the lobster clasp is the most popular in modern jewelry. It is spring loaded and comes in two pieces. The first piece, which resembles a lobster's claw, attaches to a loop that looks much like a jump ring. You pull down a small lever and the clasp opens.

A barrel clasp is...that's right! Shaped like a barrel. It comes in two pieces and it is threaded. This means that one piece twists into the other to create a secure hold. They can be difficult to use, especially on necklaces made with thicker beads.

Deceptively simple, these clasps also come in two pieces. One is a circle and the other is a bar. You slip the bar through the circle and make sure that it is sitting across. They add character to the piece and many come in different shapes. They can be somewhat difficult to manipulate.

Head pins come in different lengths (ex. 1/2", 1", 2 in") and finishes (ex. gold, bronze, brass, silver) and can be used for many different things but most commonly in stringing beads. They are especially important in the making of charms as the top of the pin is flat, like the head of a screw. This means that when you string a bead on it, there won't be anything visible at the bottom.

Eye pins, like head pins, come in different lengths and finishes. Unlike head pins, the top of the eye pin is actually circular, or more accurately, a loop. These are great for stringing multiple beads together, although this can also be done with wire, depending on the look you want.