Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro

[MoonSprinkles]

Probably most sellers would prefer not to divulge their sources.

Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't even think about them being a seller! I will cruise some of the other threads for info about buying loose pearls to string. Forgive me, I'm very new!

 

[pattye]

MoonSprinkles,

Most of us prefer to shop for pearls in person. Gem/bead shows travel to larger cities usually several times yearly. Sometimes the local bead shops have nice commercial grade pearls. KojimaPearl.com carries some loose strands. Rio Grande has some pearls listed in their catalog, so probably online also (fairly expensive, though). I'm sure there's more sources I'll think of later!

It's good to be flexible; I've found one can't always locate specific sizes, colors and shapes that fit the budget, lol.

 

[Charlotta]

Moonsprinkles, I buy really tiny freshwater pearls from Pearllunar on ebay. 2-2,5mm. They don't have them all the time. They are not round though, but with beautiful luster. They are so small that I had to use Softflex wire extra fine. I use them instead of A necklace for pendants. Also they are never expensive. Usually I get 15-16 inch or so for around 10-12 Us$, on auction if nobody else put in a bid.

 

[MoonSprinkles]

Thank you Pattye and Charlotta for the advice!

I finished the necklace! Thank you so much for the help here, I improved my method SO much and this is the nicest finished project I have ever gotten. Also the Beader's Secret is about 5 million times better to use than silk. I love it, I don't think I'll ever use silk again lol. I do need to refine my method for tying the knots, I sorts of end up flipping the needle strand with a bunch of beads on it around itself and over my fingers, then I sort of put the knot around my finger and slide it close to the bead then remove my finger and tighten. I feel like I could refine this a bit. But I think (hope) the result is the same. I posted a bunch of photos in my "Dyed Black Freshwater?" thread so as not to crowd this one, if anyone would like to take a look and give me any suggestions for the future. As I say on that post, I know some of my knots are too loose, they are from the beginning when I was timid! I might restring at some point.

 

[Katbran]

I just knotted some very green Peacock Rikitea for a client and used the Forest . I'm really pleased with the look, the knots are dark but not harsh like black..they just sort of blend in.. Hmmmm they don't show up as much in this one.. I'll have to find the close up of the front.

 

[Pareltje]

Those are stunning Rikis, Katbran. What a lucky customer!

 

[MSC]

You can also use a variety of different knots to take up space so the knots don't end up in larger drill holes. Sometimes this is necessary if you are stringing different sizes of pearls together.

I'd love to hear more about different knots!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I have also used a small silicone bumper to take up space in a cratered hole before making a knot.

 

[Katbran]

PD that's a great idea !!

 

[Marianne]

A size 15 Japanese seed bead can also be useful to fill an unwanted large gage hole. Japanese made seed beads have holes large enough to accommodate 2 strands of #30 Serafil from Pattye and small enough to agree with an overhand knot

 

[Pearl Dreams]

That is useful to know, Marianne!

 

[MSC]

Fantastic and innovative ideas, PD and Marianne - thank you!

 

[JerseyPearl]

I'd love to hear more about different knots!

Here's a great place to start: https://www.pinterest.com/bonniebsblings/knotsnot-just-knots-but-jewelery-finishing-knots/

 

[MSC]

Here's a great place to start: https://www.pinterest.com/bonniebsblings/knotsnot-just-knots-but-jewelery-finishing-knots/

This is awesome, thank you Jersey!

 

[Katbran]

sooooo many knots !!!! Thanks JP

 

[Katbran]

Those are stunning Rikis, Katbran. What a lucky customer!

Thank you Pareltje - I was hoping the knots would show up - that Forest Green blends so well.. I'm getting more when I order the Navy. !

 

[sobellejanet]

Thanks to Pearl Dreams, Lloyd, and Caitlin for all your instruction and Pattye for your wonderful starter kit. I fulfilled a dream of learning how to string (restring in this case) and feel like I have accomplished even more than getting my Pearl Specialist certification. The photo is a friend's strand that was at least 50 years old and had NEVER been restrung. What a mess! Pearls are about 6-6.5 mm. Don't know whether they are akoyas or FW but not really that good (many with visible surface blemishes), round/near round. Nice 14K gold clasp though. I restrung them once but because of all the fumbling trying to get my fingers trained and getting the first string almost as dirty as the string I removed and all my other mistakes, I restrung them a second time. It is not as perfect as anything you would do but it will do for my first effort and certainly for these pearls. BTW, I think I've read virtually every post on this thread!!! Lots of great tips and ideas here.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Great job sobellejanet! Now you have a skill you can use over and over. It is an accomplishment.

And I'm impressed you read the whole thread. It has gotten to be rather long.

 

[pattye]

Well done, Janet! The necklace looks great and your friend must be delighted! What's next? LOL (I'm restringing a necklace for the 4th time!)

 

[BWeaves]

Good job, Janet! If they are 50 year's old and round and 6 - 6.5 mm, they are probably akoyas.

I always end up restringing each necklace at least 3 times in a row. The first time, it's too tight, or I break the thread or miscalculate the length. The second time, something else happens that I don't like. Third time's the charm. By the third time, I finally have the right tension throughout the entire strand.