Eyelets are sometimes called "tube rivets", and many of the same tools and methods are used to set both eyelets and rivets. For the tools that work with each size/ style of eyelet, see the "Related Products" section of an item.
- 3/16"-diameter eyelets are intended for use in leather working (including leather bracelets and other leather jewelry), while thinner diameters are better suited for metalworking and small mixed media designs. But we won't judge you if you use them for something other than their original purpose.
- If you use the skinnier (1/16"-diameter and 3/32"-diameter) eyelets with leather or fabric, you'll need a washer -- of some type -- to keep the tiny eyelet from pulling through soft material. See Example
- Raw brass eyelets are excellent for use with raw copper and raw brass jewelry blanks, and our 1/16" and 3/32" diameters perfectly fit the center holes in a wide variety of gear blanks, both on our website and elsewhere.
- For custom-length eyelets, use metal tubing and a jeweler's saw - plus if you'll be setting lots of them, we highly recommend a tube-cutting jig.
Add a sterling silver metal core to your handmade beads with sterling silver grommets, a slightly different type of eyelet. Use two grommets for each bead you're making. Glue one into each side of the bead hole. These jewelry-making components are perfect for making polymer clay, lampwork glass and other large-hole beads.