Make Your Own Bead Caps
by Kate Richbourg
Making bead caps are one of my favorite ways to embellish beads and it's super easy with the right tools. Choose any type of metal, sterling silver, copper and brass all work great with this technique.
Instructions
How to Make Your Own Bead Caps

Cut:
1. Use the largest sized cutter on the power punch pliers to cut discs from the 24-gauge sheet. It cuts discs measuring 9/32″ (.281″ or 7.14mm) perfect for 8-10mm beads. Note that the finished hole size may spread a bit depending on the metal and the force used to shape the cap in the dapping block.
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Using Euro Punch
2. Don't fuss over getting the hole in the exact center, since these caps have an organic look to them, a slightly off-center hole works best in my opinion..
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Using Hole Punch Pliers
Texture:
3. Texture the discs if desired with texture hammers and bench block. Use a permanent marker to mark placement on the discs for the center hole.
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Using texture hammers
Pierce:
4. Pierce hole using the 1.25mm (18g wire) or 1.8mm (16g wire) hand held hole punch pliers or the 3/32" die (14g wire) that comes with the power punch pliers. Depending on your desired results.
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Using Hole Punch Pliers
Dap:
5. Place pierced cap right side down in a dapping block. Choose a depression that leaves a bit of room around the piece. Choose a corresponding dap and gently tap the cap into shape with the dap using a brass mallet. Check the fit against the bead and continue to curve the cap using a smaller depression and dap until you are pleased with the fit. Repeat until all discs are complete. Oxidize and polish if desired.
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Using Forming Dapping Block
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Finished bead caps
Create:
6. I use these caps on earrings as well as when I string beads to highlight special beads in the design. I especially like how they look with metallic-finish freshwater pearls. The contrast between the hard metal and soft pearl is a favorite look.
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Finished bead caps
Kate Richbourg's Make Your Own Bead Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Findings, Clasps, Components, Texturing, Earrings using bead caps

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch
MET-705.24
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.43
  • Gold Club Price: $6.32
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24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Red Brass Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch
MET-704.24
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.98
  • Gold Club Price: $6.74
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24 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H19-24SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $48.95
  • Gold Club Price: $36.71
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24 Gauge Dead Soft Sterling Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H8-24SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $44.43
  • Gold Club Price: $33.32
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Tools

7 Holes Metal Punch Kit- 2.38mm to 7.14mm - Pack of 1 Kit
G15-8
  • G15-8
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $54.95
  • Gold Club Price: $41.21
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Deluxe 3-Hole Punch
PUN-420.03
  • PUN-420.03
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $58.97
  • Gold Club Price: $44.23
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DELUXE 4 HOLE METAL PUNCH
PUN-420.04
  • PUN-420.04
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $64.95
  • Gold Club Price: $48.71
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24 Piece Dapping Punch Set
DAP-705.00
  • DAP-705.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $85.97
  • Gold Club Price: $64.48
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Brass Hammer - 1 Pound
HAM-456.10
  • HAM-456.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.97
  • Gold Club Price: $18.73
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Texturing Hammer with 9 Faces
HAM-470.00
  • HAM-470.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $47.00
  • Gold Club Price: $35.25
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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
Out of Stock
Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Hole Punching, Making Findings, Texturing