Thin, with a handle like a paintbrush, and with an adhesive tip, the Magical Picker, made by BeadSmith, helps you pick up beads.
This clever tool comes packed with its own cleaner (the blue rectangle in the picture) so it can be used over and over again. Clean it when its loses its stickiness.
The tool itself has a tiny sticky white head. This is protected by a tight-fitting sleeve. The tool itself, the whole tip, and about half the handle is protected by another clear sleeve. Use the smaller sleeve when working with the tool and both when storing it to prolong the life of the tip.
To use the Magical Pick, just touch the tip to a bead or small embellishment. Attached to the tip, you can convey the bead to your work.
At least in theory.
In using it I found that you pretty much needed to have your beads right next to your work. If I moved the beads farther away, they would fall off the tip before I could nab them.
As one would expect, the placement of the bead on the tip makes a difference in how easy it is to place on the needle. I found it works best when the side of the bead without a hole is against the tip.
The Magical Pick was very easy to use but I wondered if it was better than my usual method of picking beads up with my needle. I put aside the pick & went back to my old method.
The pick was so much easier.
While great for beads, you can also use it for flat-back crystals that are glued, and small buttons and embellishments. A video on YouTube shows you how to do this.
Widely available, often for less than $10, if you do beading, buy this tool, it’s great!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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