I have been using the bottom hole, clamshell designs with the hook on the end to attach to a jumpring. I really like how easy they are to use, but I don't think they are very secure. The hook on the clamshells are very soft and pull apart easily. I have been buying the gold-plated and sterling, but it doesn't seem to matter because they are ALL soft. Just today, a necklace I wore to work, had pulled apart at the clamshell and I had to put it back together. If I'm going to be making necklaces for friends and selling them, I want to know that they aren't going to fall apart.

This is how I usually start and end my bead strands......

I first cut my wire to the desired length. I tie a knot in the end and put on a crimp bead and squish it. Then I put on my clamshell, trim the excess wire, and close the clamshell and begin adding beads. When I get to the end, I slip on another clamshell, tie a knot, put on another crimp, and close the clamshell. Then I hook the clamshell to a jumpring and add whatever clasp I want to use. 

I am VERY new to beading and jewelry making, so I've been just trying to figure this stuff out as I go along. I would really appreciate any other ideas on how to start and end a bead strand other than using the clamshells if you guys have some good suggestions.  Or if you know of any clamshells that have stronger hooks....please let me know!

Thanks! 

It sounds like you might be using thread. I use nylon coated wire (Beadalon) 49 strand, .018, so this may not be of any help.  Anyway, I use sterling 2x2 crimp beads which I crimp with a crimping tool (not the flat crimp) after I have passed the wire around the jump ring (which are sterling 19 gauge or better) and back through the crimp tube. I have repaired several pieces made by other people using the clamshells so I have never used them.  I wonder if your crimp tube is cutting through the thread.  Maybe you should just try glueing the knots before adding the clamshell.  Alice

 No, that's the same wire I use. It's not that the wire breaks....it's that the clamshell's hook is too soft to hold. I just need to find a better way of ending my strands without using the clamshells. Or find a clamshell that is stronger.

I would skip the clamshells and just crimp the wire onto a jump ring which is then attached to the clasp. Just my opinion though.  Alice

Thanks Alice....I'll try that. Like I said, I'm very new to this, so I just basically figured out one way to end my strands and have stuck with that for the past few weeks. Now I need to learn a better way.

 So do you just loop the wire through the jumpring and then put both ends of the wire through the crimp as close to the jumpring as possible and then crimp it? Do you use a crimp cover or put a bead over it at that point?

After the last bead on the wire I string a crimp tube, then run the wire through the jump ring and back through the crimp tube.  After crimping the tube I snip off the excess wire as close to the last bead as possible, and cover it all with a crimp cover.  Then I do the same with the other end.  I should mention I use little springy bead stoppers on both ends until I have the beads situated just the way I want them. Some books and instructions say to begin by crimping one end of your wire to a clasp then string your beads. But if I get the whole piece strung and find it's too long, or too short, or I don't like how it looks, then I have to restring the whole thing.  Using the bead stoppers lets me take off beads from both ends and adjust accordingly.  I hope that makes sense.  Alice

 Yes, that makes perfect sense. I usually do crimp and attach something to one end before I start adding beads and you're right....if ya screw up.....you're just screwed.

 Just the other day, I got the whole thing strung and found out that I had a defective clamshell AFTER I had already snipped the wire. Obviously, it was too short to tie again, so I had to start all over and re-string the whole thing. That was really frustrating. 

I'm going to try it your way and see if that works out better for me. I really appreciate all your help and advice! 

 I don't know what you're using for wire, but I only use Softflex. I think it's by far the best out there. And for the most part, I stick with the "fine" for thickness. I don't use clamshells at all. Instead I use ONLY sterling silver crimp tubes with a crimping plier (the kind where the first squeeze makes a "U", and the next squeeze it folds it closed.) I don't believe the plated crimp tubes will hold nearly as well as sterling silver. And before I even squeeze my crimp, I will string my wire through whatever clasp I'm using. One last tip I can offer is this: do NOT finish either end of your necklace or bracelet until you've got your design complete. To keep undoing it just to add one particular bead half-way back is too much work! I either hold both ends of the wire while I work, or sometimes I clamp on a "mini clamp" that I've purchased at the cash register at my local Home Depot to keep the beads from falling off while I work. (Plus, I use it at the other end while I'm crimping one end!) Hope that helps!

 You can also get double clamshell bead tips--these have a little closed loop on each side of the clamshell, so that when you close it, you have a nice strong double hole that won't come apart (since they are closed to begin with).  I've been using those, and they are very secure, but you do have to attach them to the clasp with an open jump ring (21-guage is what I'd recommend) or a split ring.  For some projects, I like the "finished" look of bead tips better than just a crimp bead alone.  You can also cover your crimp beads with crimp covers, which look like little round beads when they're on, but you still see the wire/thread on the clasp ring.

I USE BEADING WIRE AND CRIMP BEADS. I THEN COVER THE CRIMP BEAD WITH A CRIMP COVER.  FOR REALLY HEAVY BEADS, I WILL USE A WIRE GUARDIAN AROUND THE WIRE AND A CLOSED JUMP RING.  THE SIZE OF THE CLASP, AND THE STYLE OF THE CLASP DEPENDS ON THE STYLE OF THE NECKLACE OR BRACELET. SOMETIMES I WILL PUT A DROP OF JEWELERS GLUE ON AND WHERE POSSIBLE WILL PASS THE WIRE BACK THROUGH THREE OR FOUR BEADS IF POSSIBLE, BEFORE TRIMMING OFF THE EXCESS WIRE.