The idea is to help keep that little knot inside the bead tip (aka clam shell). Glue helps, but it can be messy. This tip suggests sliding a tiny seed bead (such as a size 11) down to the end of thread. Then looping the thread back through the seed bead. This anchors the bead onto the end of the thread.
Tip for Bead Tips aka Clam Shell Findings
By Tammy Powley, About.com Guide
I read this in a bead magazine a long time ago. I think it was Bead & Button, but I can’t be sure. I am sure that it’s a very handy tip even for those beaders who aren’t into seed beads.
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