Bead store mashup ropes (or enbcfsobe learns to string beads on wire)

[enbcfsobe]

So I was waiting for my tassels to arrive....and I was crazy busy at work last week so I treated myself to a trip to the bead store despite the nasty weather. I had been admrining the Gellner-inspired tahitian and gemstone ropes that Purranha and Red posted a while back, as well as JerseyPearl's mermaid strand. So while I don't usually buy pearls at the bead store, I thought that I might be able to find some sort of dyed freshwaters that would be adequate to create a more budget-friendly and freeform version of my own.
I haven't strung beads using wire and crimps since I was in middle school, and the bead store was out of crimping pliers (?!?!), so I had to improvise with a few pairs of chain-nose pliers and a steady hand. I used some small sterling infinity lobster clasps I had hanging around, and strung up two ropes -- one around 48" and one around 32" (didn't measure the second, but it wraps around my wrist 5 times). I ended up using stainless jump rings just because I didn't have enough of the right size of sterling rings. Today I am wearing the longer one doubled and the shorter as a bracelet wrap.
I ended up with 3 strands of freshwater pearls: one gray plump baroque nugget, one dyed black doubled baroque, and one dyed black potatoes. None had measurements on the labels, and I don't have a caliper to measure, but I'd guess the potatoes are 8-8.5, greys are around 10-11, and doubles are around 9-10. The baroques mostly have one flat side. I also used 2.5mm-3mm labradorite rondelles, 2.5-3mm moonstone rondelles, 4-5mm moonstone rondelles, 5-6mm labradorite faceted rounds, and 2.5-3mm black spinel rondelles. It was a combo of stuff I bought and what was in my stash.
Anyways here's what I ended up with. Lots of fun to make (though I'm not sure I really did the crimps right -- fingers crossed!).

 

[JerseyPearl]

Beautiful! Love the combo of stones and pearls...the different sizes and colors really play well with one another!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

What a nice job you did! They look like fun to wear, too.

 

[Katbran]

Hey that turned out great ! Well done ! Love the mix!!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Very fun pieces! I love the combination of different stones and pearls. The colours are also so versatile.

 

[enbcfsobe]

Thanks, PearlDreams & JerseyPearl! I was pretty happy with the results given the limited options available due to my need for semi-instant gratification. My 3-year-old really liked them -- funny enough, despite the overall color scheme being very grey, he said he liked "all the different colors." I love looking at what everyone is making/buying on PG -- it has inspired me to start making jewelry again!

Got a notice that says my tassels have arrived, so hopefully I will have time to rig one up tonight! I also found out thru this last project that I love how stainless looks with darker pearls. I'm thinking about weaving a long chain for a tahitian drop pendant (just have to find a pearl I like that I can actually afford!)

 

[enbcfsobe]

Thanks so much, KatBran - it was fun to be a little spontaneous and random after spending hours sorting and re-sorting pearls for my last project.

Thanks, LD -- I wear a ton of grey and black, so these seemed to be a way of adding some "sparkle" to my sortof dreary pallette without going either too blingy or overly colorful.

Someday perhaps I will restring with some luscious tahitians!

 

[BWeaves]

Who's looking at the crimps? What fun necklaces! Gorgeous.

 

[Tucs]

That's really nice, enbcfsobe! Please post more photos and close-ups

 

[MSC]

How pretty, that mix looks really fetching!

 

[amti]

I like! It looks like something I'd make and wear. I'm finding myself drawn more towards the irregular shaped pearls these days- they just reflect light in such neat ways. I think you'll get a lot of use from those strands and I can't wait to see what you do with the tassels!

 

[Happy Huku]

Lovely, just right for you!

 

[enbcfsobe]

Thanks, all!
BWeaves -- I'm not so much worried about how the crimps look (I used covers on them), but about whether they hold!! I'd hate to have all those teeny-tiny stones scattered about. At the same time, I'm less concerned than I would be if I had used more expensive materials.
Tucs -- thanks so much, a few more photos below!
madsciencechick & Happy Huku, thanks so much Happy Huku, is your avatar piece shown in larger format anywhere? it looks lovely!
amti, I've also been into funky shapes and colors. i find they work well to dress up my more casual style (and budget!) the tassels came in and are lovely, but I didn't have time to do anything with them yet. maybe over the weekend.

Some detail shots...


Longer strand worn tripled


Combined strands (5 wraps)


Many thanks again for all the encouragement!

 

[JerseyPearl]

Oooooh, I like this even more now that I see the close ups! The variation of colored stones works beautifully with the pearls. And those peanut shaped pearls are great. To test the strength of crimps, I give a couple of good tugs on the strand, very carefully over a towel (those tiny beads can bounce like nobody's business). If you are super worried, maybe a drop of superglue gel at the crimp (under the cover) would help? But really, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[Tucs]

Ooohhhhh those neck shots show the colours much better, how very lovely!

 

[Happy Huku]

Thank you! There are some photos of my avatar in the De Stash Bash thread, posts #125 and #160.

Great neck shots, love them tripled.

 

[GemGeek]

This is outstanding. Love all the neck shots! ♡♡♡

 

[Lorri]

I love this! So inspiring to see such pretty, wearable pearl creations made with a variety of gemstone rondelles.

 

[SunSeeker]

ahhh! ..just stumbled across this post! ..love the pearl and stone strands worn together! ..I need to visit my stash and get to work!

 

[pattye]

How did I miss this??!! What a pretty and versatile piece! Way to jump in, Enbcfsobe!