Have you heard about the 1-Step Looper by The BeadSmith? It's a cool new tool to create loops in one step, either for eye pins or dangles. Here's a photo of the tool, a dangle I made and an eye pin. Due to the nature of the tool, the dangle will be loose. I prefer my dangles to be tighter, so I wouldn't use it for that purpose; however, the eye pins are really great, although small. If you need an eye pin for more than one or two dangles, this may not be the tool for you either.
You start by inserting the wire into the tool as below; it's quite easy, and if your wire is longer than the tool, there's a hole that the wire can fit through.
Then, all you do is squeeze the handles together and it begins to form the eye pin.
The tool also cuts the excess wire as it is forming the loop.
When the loop is formed, you just bend the wire down to create a slight bend in the wire, to form the eye pin!
Here you have a finished eye pin. It's all ready for you to insert your dangles, and then close it up with your round nose pliers.
There are easy-to-follow instructions on the back of the package. You can get this tool in many on-line stores, however, it sells out quickly and you may have to get on a waiting list to be informed when more are available.
I agree, Sue, these are out of stock many places. I have one coming from a reseller on Etsy, and even those are getting rare (and pricey!) Everyone seems to be raving about this tool... I can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous tool - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSave your money they need to make more improvements on the design. The loop is way to small. If you loop on both sides of a bead the loops aren't snug and the bead moves around. You still have to tighten with a chain nose pliers. The grip is very wide on the tool so if you have small hands might be an issue. I love the idea but I wonder if they test marketed with jewelry artists before they put it into production. If you buy it and do a ton of head pinning that might make it worthwhile. I bought it to reduce arm and hand strain and I dont think that it accomplishes that. Also you need to get the wire in straight it if it is bent a little your loop can be catywompus. I did send them my review and they did get back to me to thank me for my information. The biggest dissapointment was the small loop size, this limits the scope of what you can do with it. I have it and will use it selectively, I was really excited when I heard about it, but less than impressed now that I own one.
ReplyDeleteThat is the coolest thing ever!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSue, I actually received my tool yesterday and mine works great! I agree with you and Kristin (Yay! Jewelry) that there could be improvements made. I would love to see interchangeable pins where the loop is formed so different-sized loops could be made. Also a way to adjust the tension on the spring that opens the pliers would be helpful, or size options. My hands are on the large size so that is not an issue for me. I made some practice loops on both sides of 4mm Swarovskis, the smallest size I normally work with. Mine snugged up well, but I wonder if delicate crystals might be easily damaged with the tool? I would venture that this looper may be more helpful to a neophyte wire-worker like myself, who cannot easily make these repeated loops. Someone with a lot of experience making them flawlessly and rapidly would probably find the tool less of a boon. Just one gal's opinion!
ReplyDeleteSorry to find myself totally disagreeing on this one. :-( Unfortunately, I have to agree with YaY!. This is a great concept - I sure wanted it to work (as do many other people!) but sadly, it doesn't live up to the advertising.
ReplyDeleteMy skepticism started when I saw the tool in a static photo. I immediately thought, that is great for one end, but after you put beads on, how is the other end going to work??? Answer: it doesn't very well. I found out later that the design just can't accommodate that work without leaving a considerable space between the loop and the work.
The next doubt came with the video - the wire is still moving and is under tension as it is being cut - that creates a BIG potential for the cut to be ragged. I figured they might work that one out, eventually.
But I finally had to say 'Thanks, but no thanks' when I saw it operate in person. A self proclaimed 'trendy tool junkie/hoarder' brought theirs into the local shop.
The cut was ragged in several of the attempts. No one in the shop could get a clean, tight fit on a second loop, no matter what they did. I'm sorry, but did you say the loop still needs closing and tweaking after using the tool? You mean the loop isn't fully rounded and formed? Say what???
Finally, the small size, the teardrop shape of the loop, (I really dislike that - it doesn't look nice in many applications) and the poor definition of the bottom bend are deal breakers for me and my friends. I'm trying to keep sloppiness *out* of my work, not introduce it.
I am assuming that they created this tool to help with the awkwardness and even pain some people experience when turning loops. That is what I thought would be great about it!!!
But how does still needing to tweak the loop after using the tool help? Better that people should get someone to show them how to turn a loop in an ergonomically safe way - without contorting their wrists.
Sorry, I REALLY wanted this to work, but they need to go back to the drawing board. I'll save my money until they do. Move along.....this is not the droid, er...tool you were looking for....
I'm personally not a fan of the entire idea. I worked so hard to learn how to make really nice eye pins (and head pins) that I feel this takes the skill right out! Maybe I'm being ridiculous, but I just hate to see the process of jewelry-making watered down. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteIs there a like button for this comment? LOL It makes PERFECT sense to me. :-) In general, I'm standing right there with you! I really believe that solid instruction in the ergonomically safe methods to turn and form loops is the way to go for most folks. (sadly, the lack of that type of instruction may be the real issue here- just sayin')
DeleteBut since breaking my wrist several years ago, I understand how this tool would help some people enjoy a craft they might otherwise pass by. There is a time and place for everything under the sun. :-)
Thank you Sue for starting this conversation, and writing the review. It may not be for everyone - but its great to have user feedback of a new gadget.
ReplyDelete( Having said that - I do agree with Diana... )