Posted on January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 by Travis

Complete Guide to the One Step Looper!

Hey there, fellow bead enthusiasts! It’s your friendly Web Wizard, Travis, and today, we’re diving into the magical world of the One Step Looper. Buckle up because we’re about to turn your wire looping game on it’s head with this nifty tool!

What is the One Step Looper?

Imagine a wizard’s wand for beaders – that’s the One Step Looper! This nifty gadget is here to revolutionise the way you create loops for your jewellery designs. No more fumbling with pliers or struggling to get consistent loops. It’s like having a bead-tying superhero at your fingertips!

Why You Need It:

Efficiency Overload:

Say goodbye to tedious loop-making. With the One Step Looper, each squeeze results in a perfect loop. Efficiency level? Through the roof!!

Consistency is Key:

Achieve uniform loops every single time. Your designs will thank you for the consistency, and your friends will wonder if you’ve secretly enrolled in a loop perfection class.

Time-Saving Wonder:

The One Step Looper is a time-saving maestro. Spend less time wrestling with your tools and more time unleashing your creativity.

How to Master the One Step Looper Like a Pro:

Now that you’re convinced this tool is your new crafting BFF, let’s dive into some tips and tricks to wield the One Step Looper with finesse:

Choose the Right Wire:

Opt for soft wires in medium gauges, like 20g, 22g and 24g. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be able to step up to precious metal wires like gold-filled or sterling silver. These medium sizes will respond better to the magic touch of the One Step Looper.

Mind Your Tension:

Keep your wire taut but not overly tight. A gentle touch ensures smooth loops without any wire rebellion.

Practice Makes Perfect:

Before tackling your masterpiece, practice on scrap wire. Familiarize yourself with the tool’s rhythm, and soon you’ll be looping like a pro.

Experiment with Bead Sizes:

The One Step Looper can handle various bead sizes, so don’t be shy to experiment. From delicate seed beads to chunky crystals, let your creativity run wild!

Accessorise Your Loops:

Branch out of your comfort zone and try something different! Sdding charms, beads, or jump rings to your loops can make them even more unique. Try creating beaded daisy-chains, beaded lamp shades or curtain tassels. The One Step Looper makes it a breeze to create customised, embellished loops.

Why We Love It:

Crafting Bliss:

Say goodbye to hand cramps and hello to a blissful crafting experience. The One Step Looper turns loop-making into a joyous dance.

Versatility Unleashed:

Whether you’re a seasoned pro like mwa (moi if you’re French), or a crafting newbie, this tool welcomes everyone into the loop-lover’s club. From simple designs to intricate creations, the One Step Looper has your back.

No More Guesswork:

Bid farewell to guesswork and hello to confidence. With the One Step Looper, you’re the master of your loops, every single time.

So where to from here?

There you have it, bead maestros – your fun guide to the One Step Looper! Embrace the loop, unleash your creativity, and let the One Step Looper be your crafting sidekick. Dive into the world of seamless loops and watch your jewellery designs transform into loop-tastic masterpieces.

Where to buy the One Step Looper

Beads N Crystals is the bead shop near you, and we have the complete range of loopers. There are three different loop sizes: 1.5mm, 2.25mm and 3mm, so you can select the perfect loop size. If you’re into fine jewellery, definitely head for the 1.5mm. For heavy tasks, the 3mm has your back. Everyone else will get the most practicality from the medium size 2.25mm tool.

Happy crafting, loopsters!
Travis Out!

Posted on December 30, 2023January 25, 2024 by Travis

Not as “Gross” as You Think!

Hey there bead addicts! It’s Travis here, I’m the new techie work experience guy and I’ll be helping clear up a few beading myths and helping to make beading fun!

Ever wondered why your favorite crystal brands, like Preciosa and Swarovski, love to pack things in weird numbers? I mean, why 144 in a box? Sounds “gross” right!? No, it’s not because they’re secretly trying to gross you out – it’s all about the art and science of crystal packaging, and I’m here to break it down for you in a way that’s anything but “gross”!

So, first things first, what exactly is a “gross”? Well, it’s not that weird kid in the back of the class sticking chewing gum under the desk – it’s a unit of measurement, and in the beading and crystal world, it means a dozen dozens, or 144 to be exact. Now, I know what you’re thinking – why not just say 144? Why make this extra confusing with a word that sounds like it belongs in the biology room?

Quick note here, that’s a dozen regular dozens, not a dozen bakers dozens, or a dozen beaders dozens. That’d be just stupid! Not to mention confusing!

Let’s make this whole thing crystal clear (pun intended)! Packaging crystals by the gross isn’t about confusing you, it’s about making the lives of the crystal gods and the end customers a whole lot easier. Think of it as the crystal community’s way of saying, “Let’s keep it simple, stupid!”

Dividing by 12 is a piece of cake or should I say, crystal? (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) There’s a reason we have dozens in many aspects of our lives. It’s easy to count, easy to divide, and it just makes sense. I mean, could you imagine a carton of 11 eggs, or 5 for that matter. It just wouldn’t work.

When you buy crystals in bulk, especially when you’re planning some serious bling for your DIY projects, having them neatly packaged in dozens and gross makes the process a breeze.

Now, here comes the magic of multiplication. If you’ve ever wondered why crystal brands seem to be obsessed with packing small flat back diamantes and bicones in packs of 1440 (which is a gross times 10), it’s because it’s a game-changer! When you’re working on large-scale projects, having crystals in this magical “mass” of 1440 means you can easily calculate how many dozens you need without breaking a sweat.

Imagine this: you’re bedazzling a dance costume, and you need 10 dozen crystals. Instead of tediously counting each crystal, you can just grab a pack, knowing that it contains 1440 sparkly diamantes, and voilà, you have your 10 dozen without the headache. It’s like crystal maths for dummies!

So, the next time you come across crystal packaging boasting a gross or 1440, embrace it! It’s not meant to be “gross” or confusing – it’s a crystal-clear system that simplifies your DIY adventures and keeps the sparkle in your projects. Best part is, they divide evenly down into dozens, sixes and 3’s. Bonus, they’re also even so pairs are a given!

Remember, crystals are all about bringing joy and beauty into your life, not making it grossly confusing. So, here’s to the “not as gross as you think” world of little crystals. Those Czech and Austrian crystal lords are smarter than they may seem!