Finishing multiple strands or heavy cord, without glue? You're at the right page! Cone Ends and Bullet Ends are great options to finish the ends of multistrand necklaces, including woven and braided styles like kumihimo braids and Viking knit.
Cone ends and bullet end are also popular for two styles of earrings -- shorter cone ends can be used like bead caps, with dangles below like flower stamens. Longer cone ends and bullet ends are often used for beaded earrings, fringe earrings, and liquid silver earrings. They even work for chain and tassels.
The outside of the cord end can be plain or decorative. The inside gives you a convenient place to hide knots, or the transition from multiple strands, to just a single strand or wire.
Finishing Multistrand Jewelry with No-Loop Cord Ends
- Start with a 2-3" head pin, eye pin, or piece of copper, brass or sterling silver wire.
- Tie a knot about 1/4" from the end of the cord(s). If you have more than one strand, knot all the strands together. Wrap the head of the pin (or end of the wire) around the knot a few times, then squeeze the wire/knot tight with a pair of pliers. As long as the knot is secure, and will fit inside the cord end, it doesn't matter how messy it looks. The purpose of a bullet end or cone end, is to hide this messy (but secure) method. If using beading wire / stringing cable, a crimp bead replaces the knot.
- Depending on your project, this may be a good time to trim excess cord.
- Poke the long end of the wire through the bullet end (or cone end), and pull all of the knot up inside. Make sure all messy parts are nicely hidden.
- Use round-nose pliers to make a round loop with the wire outside the small end of the bullet end or cone end.
- Attach clasp, jump ring or ear wire to loop. If using lightweight wire, wrap the wire a few times around itself for durability.
- Carefully trim excess wire, and tuck stray wire end in using chain-nose pliers or the "rounder" section of crimp pliers.