A topic not much discussed in articles about bead craft is what I like to all "optional equipment." Reasonably, most articles on beadwork focus on the beading projects, or the beads themselves and various discussions revolving around patterning, color choosing and so on, but at least some attention must be given to the optional items of equipment, because they can make your life simpler and increase your enjoyment of bead craft in general.

The items I've in mind are:

Fishing Line

Magnifying Glasses

Cord Knotter

Bead Tray

I will outline what all of these can do for you as it relates to bead craft below.

Fishing Line - If you are all out of silk thread and needing to crank out a bead craft project, normal fishing line can be subbed in for the good stuff. Or, if you're only making a temporary piece and wish to save your silk thread for permanent creations, again, fishing line to the rescue! No bead craft toolkit could be without it!

Magnifying Glasses - This handy item will save you both time (reducing the time needed turning your beadwork into truth), and prevent eyestrain by bringing those tiny, little pieces-parts into better focus. What's not to like about that! If you just have one piece of optional bead craft equipment, get these!

Cord Knotter - At around ten usd , this helpful little item is the most costly of the "optional bead craft equipment," but well worth the money, specially if you do any work at all with pearls. It assists with knot tying, and aids you get the knots right up against the beads, where you want them to be (this can be an annoying process when attempting to get it right by hand). It might take a bit to get the hang of using it, but when you do, you will wonder how you and your bead craft projects got along without it!

Bead Tray - Funny how anything as simple as a tray can make such a huge difference to your bead craft projects, but it truly can! The major benefit of a bead tray is that it is included with grooves for holding beads and the grooves are of standard shapes and sizes! So, when you're making a necklace, simply play with your pattern on the bead tray, get it just how you want it, and then all your beads are already laid out in the exact pattern. Just pick 'em up and string!

Again, while none of the items mentioned here are absolutely essential, you'll probably discover that you enjoy bead craft a good deal more with these time saving tools, and you can pick up the whole set for about $25. A little investment certainly for what they can do to enhance your bead craft experience, and the ways in which they can help you execute against your beadwork!