Beadalon Silver Plated Brass French Wire, Fine (Each)

Bullion, French Wire and Gimp

• Coiled from round (instead of flat) plated brass wire.
• Each package contains approx. 1 meter (about 3 feet).
• Use about 0.25 inches (6-7mm) bullion to attractively cover and protect the loop of silk (or other bead cord) at the end of a necklace or bracelet.
• Handle bullion with care. Do not tug or pull it.

Bullion (or French wire) was originally used to finish silk bead cord ends, primarily for knotted pearl necklaces. It attractively hides and protects the end of the cord. It is now gaining popularity as an elegant way to finish/hide the exposed end loops of stringing cable (tigertail, Beadalon, Softflex, etc., also known as beading wire)

Using Bullion to Finish Cord Ends

1. Start necklace.
   1. String a crimp bead onto your beading cable.
   2. Cut about 1/4" (6mm) of bullion. String this onto your beading cable. Pull up snug to the crimp bead.
   3. String a split ring, or the loop of your clasp, over the bullion. Or, you can add a jump ring to this spot later.
   4. Make a loop by going back into the crimp bead and gently pull the loop snug.
   5. Crimp the crimp bead.
   6. You may want to tuck the short end of your stringing cable into the last few beads.
2. [String necklace or bracelet here ...]
3. Finish necklace.
   1. String a crimp bead.
   2. String 1/4" (6mm) of bullion onto your beading cable. Pull up snug to crimp bead.
   3. String a split ring, or finding of your choice, over the bullion.
   4. Make a loop by going back into the crimp bead and gently pull the loop snug.
   5. Crimp the crimp bead and snip cord or feed the leftover cord back into end bead.
      

Other easy finishing methods

Crimp covers and wire guardian are two quick-and-easy finishing methods which produce professional-looking results.

• Crimp covers, once in place, nicely hide a flattened crimp inside a 3mm round bead, Can't get that mangled crimp to look like a bead, or don't feel like trying? Just conceal it with a crimp cover for a smooth bead every time. Now you can focus on making a crimp that holds instead of a crimp that looks nice. Just make sure you save enough space around your crimp bead, so that you can cover it with this 3mm "bead."
• Wire guardians are used much the same way as bullion. They are ideal for Beadalon and other beading cable. They "guard" the beading cable from excessive wear.

See Related Products links (below) for similar items and additional jewelry-making supplies that are often used with this item.