(now that I think of it this is probably a bit mis-titled considering the potential for wire wrapping techniques, this barely scratches the surface)
Shortly after I fell in love with pearls I became interested in beading and knotting. My hope is to learn enough to knot my own pearls using the fabulous guides available on PG. I also had some inspirations from the lovely strands I have seen on this forum to experiment with color palettes and patterns that I would eventually hope I can request to be custom made. So far my materials have been limited to the glass ‘pearls’ and ‘crystals’ offered at the local craft stores. As this is a pearl forum I will refrain from posting the faux jewelry
I believe the designs are all doable using real pearls though! (Very pricey.)
Up until this point I was using Pattye’s Beaders Secret thread as well as stretch magic but I felt I was really missing out by not learning how to work with wire. I came across a great opportunity when I found this loose pearl from Druzy Design! The colors on the pearl are a little more subtle across the silvery body compared to my Tahitian drop pendant, but the range is the same and I thought it would make a sweet match.
Using some online tutorials and looking at the example from pendant, here is my first real attempt on a pearl after a practice round on a decidedly cheaper bead. I have temporarily ‘strung’ the pendant on black cord to play around with different options- cord doubled or single? braided? crimp with what kinds of clasps? or adjustable knot? Right now I have doubled the cord and placed sliding knots on each end of the bracelet. Once I have figured this out I have a deerskin lace waiting for me to use!
Looking back at the really basic 'wire wrapping', I would have positioned the pearl so that the pointed end faced the other loop (that was already on the pin) to make it less lopsided but I was afraid of scratching the larger end. After wearing it for a while I also think that there is a lot more color play happening at this end which the wrapping helps display better. I don’t really mind that it’s not centered.
It just occurred to me- if wire can eat through pearls will this also happen using this material? It is 14k gold plated wire and fits the pearl well with a little “give”. The pearl has room to spin around but there is an angle - probably because I forgot that the pin wasn’t entirely straight before I slipped the pearl on- that the pearl catches and stays still. All in all there is not a great deal of movement. I figured since that is what Druzy Design had used for my pendant it would be okay, since there is little movement compared to stringing an entire strand on uncoated beading wire.
All in all I'm pretty happy with the result! No scratched pearls or skin broken by sharp wire edges, though it was challenging to snip the end of the wire and tuck it in while trying to avoid touching the pearl body with my pliers. Clearly I have a lot of things to learn! Critiques, suggestions, advice is very welcome
I apologize that the photo quality is poorer than usual, this was taken on Nexus 5 with no adjustments. It doesn't do the colors real justice.
Shortly after I fell in love with pearls I became interested in beading and knotting. My hope is to learn enough to knot my own pearls using the fabulous guides available on PG. I also had some inspirations from the lovely strands I have seen on this forum to experiment with color palettes and patterns that I would eventually hope I can request to be custom made. So far my materials have been limited to the glass ‘pearls’ and ‘crystals’ offered at the local craft stores. As this is a pearl forum I will refrain from posting the faux jewelry
I believe the designs are all doable using real pearls though! (Very pricey.)Up until this point I was using Pattye’s Beaders Secret thread as well as stretch magic but I felt I was really missing out by not learning how to work with wire. I came across a great opportunity when I found this loose pearl from Druzy Design! The colors on the pearl are a little more subtle across the silvery body compared to my Tahitian drop pendant, but the range is the same and I thought it would make a sweet match.
Using some online tutorials and looking at the example from pendant, here is my first real attempt on a pearl after a practice round on a decidedly cheaper bead. I have temporarily ‘strung’ the pendant on black cord to play around with different options- cord doubled or single? braided? crimp with what kinds of clasps? or adjustable knot? Right now I have doubled the cord and placed sliding knots on each end of the bracelet. Once I have figured this out I have a deerskin lace waiting for me to use!
Looking back at the really basic 'wire wrapping', I would have positioned the pearl so that the pointed end faced the other loop (that was already on the pin) to make it less lopsided but I was afraid of scratching the larger end. After wearing it for a while I also think that there is a lot more color play happening at this end which the wrapping helps display better. I don’t really mind that it’s not centered.
It just occurred to me- if wire can eat through pearls will this also happen using this material? It is 14k gold plated wire and fits the pearl well with a little “give”. The pearl has room to spin around but there is an angle - probably because I forgot that the pin wasn’t entirely straight before I slipped the pearl on- that the pearl catches and stays still. All in all there is not a great deal of movement. I figured since that is what Druzy Design had used for my pendant it would be okay, since there is little movement compared to stringing an entire strand on uncoated beading wire.
All in all I'm pretty happy with the result! No scratched pearls or skin broken by sharp wire edges, though it was challenging to snip the end of the wire and tuck it in while trying to avoid touching the pearl body with my pliers. Clearly I have a lot of things to learn! Critiques, suggestions, advice is very welcome
I apologize that the photo quality is poorer than usual, this was taken on Nexus 5 with no adjustments. It doesn't do the colors real justice.
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