Ask the Experts Closing Crimp Covers Q&A

How do I close crimp bead covers without marking them? They are too tough to close by hand.

- Jesse

I use chain-nose pliers or the front notch on a pair of crimping pliers to close crimp covers. They are hard to close by hand but their strength is needed in ensuring they stay closed once in place. 

When using chain-nose pliers or crimping pliers, I work SLOWLY and take care to make sure that my pliers are on the cover firmly so I don't mark the crimp covers up and so I'm sure the cover is positioned correctly before it's closed completely.

- Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator