i use paper clips. get a few good pairs of needle nose pliers with differing tips and use them to manipulate the paper clip to the shape you want. you can make all different shapes and shit too. just don't use the paper clips that have chrome plating or what ever because it falls off and into your bud. an old credit card or plastic card works too because you can cut it to the exact shape you want.
Check into some dabber tools, there are a lot with one pointy end and the other end is flattened out kind of like a flat head screw driver. If you used the flat head side I would think that would work really well for your needs. They make ceramic tools like that too.