Crimping?

[webmyrcury.livejournal.com]

So I've just finally invested in some jewelry wire and crimp beads, mostly to practice with, since I really have no faith in my own knot-tying ability... However, I didn't buy the bead-crimper tool because I felt it was sort of silly... Why not just crimp the beads down with regular jewelry pliars/needlenose pliars? It squashes the crimp bead out flat, and holds it tight tight tight...! So my question is - Do I really *need* this crimp tool? Anybody out there recommend it/recommend not getting it?

And so as to not make this my 2nd text-only post in a row, here - -



I apologize, on these, for the poor photos... These two are sort of plain, I think - I was experimenting with a new style. The 2nd is a lot prettier "in person":



On this one, I apologize for the bad scan - Wire wrapped links with tiny tiny pink shell beads:



Thanks!