First Beading Project Ever

[Sueki]

Drucilla,
I don't use an awl or anything other than my hands for knotting.
However, if you have signed up for a class and the teacher uses an awl, well, who am I to question the teacher's methods.
We all have our own preferences, and this method will be one more string to your bow (or necklace !)

 

[Raisondetre]

I'm really not supposed to, but I did it anyway. This is my keshi rope with 18K vermeil daisy spacers. Most of the knots are hidden, just the start and the end visible.

 

[Raisondetre]

I swear, that's enough. No more till I finish work.

 

[pearlescence]

I haven't got a beading board. I can see how it would be useful if I was making multiple strand necklaces but since I don't (no demand at all) I created an alternate and cunning plan.
I grabbed a chisel and cut a narrow straight groove in my workbench top. It is 19 inches long and the middle is marked with an arrow (sophisticated eh?). This groove (about3mm deep and v-ish shaped) is enough to hold all pearls without them rolling around. The advantage over the board is that it is very easy to set up a good graduation by eye because the pearls are in a straight line.
If I wanted something fancy I would smile nicely at a person with a router, but I had a chisel and it worked fine.

 

[Sueki]

Now that's a good idea Wendy; my workbench is a desk, so hubby wouldn't be too pleased if I cut a groove in the top.
But the straight line idea is brilliant - am off to the diy store on Friday 'cos we're decorating, so I'll have a look for something I can use instead of my desk for the groove.

Cheers for the idea.

 

[Drucilla]

Thank you, Raisondetre, Inge, and Sueki for the encouragement. I mean, I can tie shoelaces, right?? Surely I can learn this.

And Inge, I have already ordered the book you suggested. If it comes before the class, maybe I will cancel!

All of my pearl strands are new, but regularly worn, so hopefully I can learn this skill before I need it!

Thanks, and will let you know about my progress.

 

[Cathybear]

Now that's a good idea Wendy; my workbench is a desk, so hubby wouldn't be too pleased if I cut a groove in the top.
But the straight line idea is brilliant - am off to the diy store on Friday 'cos we're decorating, so I'll have a look for something I can use instead of my desk for the groove.

You can get straight bead boards, but the advantage of something heavier like timber or your desk (lol) is you're not likely to send everything flying if you bump it (how do I know this?).
I use a lovely heavy mahogany coffee table, so I don't want to cut a groove in it either. I did see a timber, rectangular bead board somewhere online (US I think) but freight would be a killer.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

One could use an ordinary kitchen cutting board-- most of them have a groove near the edge.

 

[Hanaleimom]

Great idea, Pearl_dreams. I have to check for one that is long enough and slender enough. There are always clearance kitchen items at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. You guys are awesome.

 

[Sueki]

Cathybear,
Yes, I was thinking wood - knocking bead trays is an occupational hazard for me, it seems....

Kitchen cabinet doors - Inge posted ages ago somewhere about using them as bead trays as they often have ready-cut grooves in them.

I've not had a chance to go to the diy store yet (just spent a fabulous day today with Cliclasp at the V&A museum in London).
Oh, what joy it is to go there with a fellow jewellery enthusiast....

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I have a plastic one that is 20" x 14.5" and has a groove...I think I got it at WalMart.

 

[pattye]

OH, OH, OH, Sueki,

........ (just spent a fabulous day today with Cliclasp at the V&A museum in London).
Oh, what joy it is to go there with a fellow jewellery enthusiast....

I am sooooo green with jealousy--------------

 

[Sueki]

OH, OH, OH, Sueki,


I am sooooo green with jealousy--------------

Why thank you, Pattye.
Seeing as how I've only recently recovered my normal colour after being so green over you all in Tucson in February, it's quite nice to be the giver of green for a change.....

Seriously, we had a great day and talked and talked and talked.
I'll try to post some more later today or over the weekend.
All that drooling has worn me out....

 

[pattye]

it's quite nice to be the giver of green for a change.....

LOL, touche'!!

 

[jerin]

How absolutely nice it must be to meet other PG-ers in person. I hope someday the "European section" can get together.....

 

[Raisondetre]

I think I may have found the perfect baby pink strand! Granted they are a bit small but at least they weren't downsized - it's supposed to be 8mm but I measured 7.5-8.5mm, so it's pretty good. Almost round and blemish free but not quite, excellent, almost metallic luster throughout. Clasp is a bit big and I'm not sure if silver rather than gold looks better, it's just bordering on neutral so it could go either way. I think the pearls are a variation of lavender to be honest.

 

[Raisondetre]

 

[Raisondetre]

Just finished knotting the strand and will be wearing it out. Grocery shopping.

 

[Hanaleimom]

Raisondetre,
That's great knotting job. I don't know how I missed the keshi post a few days ago. I like the pink strand. It has nice lustre and looks great on your neck.

How long does it take to knot a strand? Did you add the gold spacers at the end because it is easier to attach the clasp or for the look of it? What size are your keshi and what thread size did you use? Is the magnetic clasp 14K? Do you like it better than ball clasp? OK, that's enough questions for today.

 

[Raisondetre]

LOL I posted the keshi before bed, so it probably got knocked back with the beading board discussion.

Well, knotting itself is quick. I can probably do an 18" strand in 30 min. But it's actually getting the pearls on the string that takes a bit longer ... I would say it takes a full hour from start to finish, including gimp, threading it on, starting and finishing the strand. I'll never make a living off it! Too slow!

I wanted a buffer between the gimp and the pearls because I tend to pull really really hard and scrunch up the gimp. Mine always shorten alot and looks like a ring by the time I finish with it, so I use at least 1/4" to start with. For my first couple strands I didn't pull hard enough and used a shorter length of french wire, and I don't quite like the look of it. This, I pulled hard ... very satisfying, if not for the cuts on my fingers ...

The magnetic clasp is just 18K vermeil 8mm ball clasp, unfortunately. I couldn't find decent looking gold-filled which don't break the bank. Solid gold ones are typically over $100 which I can't justify as it's not high-end jewellery. For gem grade I probably would. The usual ball clasp is a bit harder to get on since you have to hook and then press it in the right aperture. The magnetic ones just slide open and are freakishly strong. I should probably use 10mm for the bigger strands, but the 8mm is a very versatile size that works well for strands from 7-10mm. It looks too weird with smaller strands. I would use a larger solid gold magnetic (at least outer covering is solid gold, not just plated) for the gem grades.

The keshis are 9 x 11 mm I think. I culled about 12 from two strands and it ended up being 32" in total. The other ones were 16" each, combined to form a rope with the magnetic clasp.

They're all strung on 20lb/0.009" powerpro.

If I ever make it to the jewellery show I'm so going to get gem-grade 9-10mm in all 3 colors, maybe even a Tahitian multicolor strand if I have enough money left over ... I'd have to get the solid gold magnetic findings then (both white and yellow gold).