Crimp or Glue? Here's the Answer

It depends on what's going inside the crimp end — not the finding itself.

Using leather cord? You can crimp the Marrakesh or Palace ends with flat-nose pliers and they'll hold beautifully. Leather is sturdy enough to grip under compression, and TierraCast's findings are built to handle it. Just squeeze gently and evenly with flat-nose pliers until the cord is secure.

Using seed bead stringing wire or thread? This is where glue comes in. You can't crimp hard enough to get a secure hold on thin wire or thread without risking cracking or shifting the beads right at the end of your work — right where you least want a problem. A small amount of jewelry adhesive (E6000 or G-S Hypo Cement) inside the cap gives you a clean, strong finish without the force.

The short answer: leather = crimp with pliers. Beaded wire or thread = glue. When in doubt, or for extra security on any project, you can always do both — glue first, then a gentle crimp after it's dry.

---

How to Use Decorative Crimp Ends (Step by Step)

You'll need: your crimp end finding, your leather cord or beaded piece, flat-nose pliers, jewelry adhesive (E6000 or G-S Hypo Cement) if working with beaded wire, and a jump ring + clasp.

1. Attach your jump ring first. Before you do anything else, open a jump ring and thread it through the loop on your crimp end. Close it. This is much easier to do before the finding is on the cord.
2. Trim your cord end cleanly. Use sharp scissors to cut the cord end straight across — no fraying, no angle. A clean cut makes the cord sit flush inside the finding.
3. For leather cord: Insert the cord into the cap and use flat-nose pliers to squeeze the sides firmly until the cord is gripped securely. That's it — no glue needed.
4. For beaded wire or thread: Apply a small amount of adhesive inside the cap opening, slide the wire end in, wipe away any excess, and hold for 30–60 seconds. Set aside to cure fully before handling (E6000 takes 24–72 hours for a full cure).
5. For either — optional extra security: Once dry (if glued), you can follow up with a gentle squeeze of flat-nose pliers for added grip. Keep it light on highly decorative findings.
6. Attach your clasp. Add a lobster clasp or toggle to the jump ring and you're done.

Want to see it in action? TierraCast has a wonderful demo video showing their Finishing Touches crimp end collection — including a live project from start to finish. It's a great 11 minutes if you're a visual learner.

👉 Watch: Finishing Touches Crimp Ends Demo and Project — TierraCast on YouTube

---

The Marrakesh Crimp End

The finding that started this whole conversation. The Marrakesh has an architectural, geometric pattern inspired by Moroccan tilework — intricate and distinctive without being fussy. It's antique silver plated over lead-free pewter, so it has that rich, slightly aged look that pairs beautifully with natural leather cord or beaded designs. Comes in a 2-pack, which is perfect for a bracelet or necklace set.

👉 Marrakesh Crimp Ends — Antique Silver, 2-Pack, $6.99

---

The Palace Crimp End

If the Marrakesh is bold and geometric, the Palace is elegant and refined. Also silver plated over lead-free pewter, the Palace has a more ornate, classical feel — like something you'd find in a high-end boutique. It comes in a 4-pack, which gives you enough for two bracelets or one necklace with matching earring dangles.

👉 Palace Crimp Ends — Silver Plated, 4-Pack, $6.99

---

More Crimp End Styles at Hackberry Creek

Beyond the Marrakesh and Palace, we carry a wide range of TierraCast crimp ends and cord end caps to suit every project and finish. A few favorites:

• Distressed styles (copper, silver, pewter, brass) — textured barrel caps with a beautifully worn, organic feel. 4x2mm opening fits standard round leather cord.
• Temple style (copper, silver) — a classic cylinder with subtle banded detail. Clean and versatile.
• Jardin style (copper, silver, brass) — botanical leaf detail, perfect for nature-inspired designs.
• Hammered Barrel Beads — these slide along the cord to add texture, or sit at the end for a more casual finish. Available in copper, silver, brass, pewter, and gold.

👉 Browse all TierraCast cord end findings at Hackberry Creek

---

One More Resource Worth Bookmarking

TierraCast has an excellent YouTube channel full of technique videos, project tutorials, and new product introductions. If you work with their findings regularly, it's worth a follow — they go deep on how each component is designed to be used, which saves a lot of guesswork.

👉 TierraCast on YouTube → @TierraCast

Got a question about a specific product or technique? Drop it in the comments — we just might turn it into the next blog post. Happy making! ✨

---

Browse our full TierraCast collection at hackberrycreek.net