Making Lentil shaped beads without spending a fortune

These are temporarily unavailable!  The ones I have been using have been discontinued and I am looking for another source.

Question: What can I use to make lentil shaped beads?

Answer:  I have had an amazing response to my inexpensive lentil bead tool.  Thanks to everyone who has written.  I thought this was actually rather well known.  I have heard it was discussed at length on Wet Canvas at one time.  I think there are so many new beadmakers out there that need information like this.  I will keep my eyes open for other opportunities for tools in the future.  I personally don't think you need to spend lots of bucks to create wonderful beads. 

I found my neat new tool in an unlikely place.  I was shopping in Linen's & Things and found a perfectly shaped ice tong for only $4.00.  It is a perfect size for small lentil shaped beads.  It's metal with a plastic handle, a nice size and easy to use.  The way it was made didn't allow the jaws to lineup parallel so I just carefully bent one side so that the jaws came together perfectly straight. 

The first picture is the tongs, before and after bending them to meet properly for our purpose.

Now for a few pictures of the sample beads I made using the tool.  From top to bottom....1)  A classic nice dimpled bead.  2) A perfectly round bead.  3) Finally an oblong bead.  Each pair was made at the same time on the same mandrel so that I could get the exact size and shape to match.  The one on the left is before squishing and the one on the right was flattened using the tool above.  This shows how you can achieve several shapes depending on the bead shape you start with.

Lastly, here is a picture of a heart bead that I squished using the tool.  (This isn't my best heart but it makes a neat point.)  This tool is more versatile and can squish various shapes, not just rounds.

I hope you have enjoyed some of this information.  I've certainly enjoyed sharing with you.  If you have any other questions or things you might like me to experiment with please let me know.

These are no longer available!!
On-line order info:

If you wish to order a set of these ice tongs from me I will be happy to make the modification/bend to get them to line up right.  I will send them to you for a fixed price including shipping of $10.00.