You know you love shopping for beads. You find yourself planning your Saturday morning around jewelry design classes, and you wake up in the middle of the night with ideas for your next big jewelry project. But Sunday afternoon, when you go to actually create that unbelievable necklace, you find that you're three headpins too short. If, like most people, you find yourself working on beading projects in the evenings or on vacation, it's always a good idea to stock up on a few extras.

It's times like these when the need for a well-stocked studio is most clear. But what should you include in your stash? Apart from all those beautiful beads that you just have to have, it's important to keep a few of the essentials, the nuts and bolts of your jewelry designs.

Jump Rings: THese are small open rings that are used all the time. They're good for connecting lengths of chain to other things, attaching clasps, even using in place of bails when attaching a small pendant. It's a good idea to have a minimum of two or three different weights and sizes in each of the metals you use regularly.

Ear Wires and Posts: Since most people think of making earrings as an afterthought, it's important to keep two or three types of earrings available. You never know when you'll decide that you'd like earrings to match that necklace you're wearing out to tonight's party!

Soft Flex: Nothing is more frustrating than running out of stringing material two inches before the end of your necklace! Don't let it happen to you; keep one or two diameters of Soft Flex on hand.

Crimps and Crimp Covers: It's a good idea to have these available in every type of metal you work with.

Clasps: It's a good idea to have a few toggles, hook-and-eyes, and lobster claws available. Additionally, try to keep two or three really "special" clasps on hand; that way, when you find yourself scrambling because you forgot your sister's birthday, you can easily make her something that will bring tears to her eyes.

Head Pins: An average of two inches is usually good for most projects. Try to keep a few with a nondescript head, but consider stocking a few that have a more ornamental end to them.

Chain: Try to stock a variety of chain: One very fine chain, one middle-to-heavy link chain, and some that are more decorative for special projects. Chain is excellent to mis with stones and add a little extra interest to any piece.