[Jewelry making - Article 00197] - Re: [Orchid] What should I be stringing on...

[Tricia Tschetter]

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Hi Joanna-

    First, let me recommend a book called "The Best Little Bead Book". It
    has alot of good info on what to string with, size of thread, etc. 

    The size and style of your work will determine what and how you
    string. I use tiger tail or the plastic coated steel wires ONLY for
    necklaces/bracelets that are very heavy. Otherwise, I use thread. I
    don't use silk anymore either (even for pearls). It stretches too much
    as does cotton. Rio has a pretty good product called "Strength" that
    I use as a silk substitute. If your beads are small I would go with
    nylon that comes in many sizes (and colors). You should be able to
    double the thread and still go through the hole of your bead. I
    ALWAYS end with French wire or bullion. It is old-fashioned but the
    look is clean and elegant. That's really all I do now as I don't do
    chunky jewelry anymore. French wire comes in silver and gold color
    and usually three sizes. 

    Also, I always use double thread. It's extra insurance in case the
    thread ever breaks. I also knot every so often for the same reason.
    General rule-of-thumb is if your beads/pearls are 5mm or larger you
    knot in between the bead/pearl. I also use a permanent pen on white
    thread to match color if necessary. 

    The knots at the ends with French wire are not at the clasp but at
    the last bead before the clasp. The sequence to string is in
    alphabetical order: Bead, Bullion, Clasp. You then double back
    through the bead again and knot. I glue with clear nail polish or
    super glue, let dry and snip. (Personally,I like to tuck the tail end
    of the thread [after the knot] thru several beads and then snip, thus
    hiding the tail end). But many snip at the actual knot. 

    I hope that this helps. I don't claim to be an expert. I have only
    had 2 repairs come in and one was tiger tail which had slipped thru
    the crimp bead on a very heavy necklace and the other was thread that
    a cheap stone bead had cut through. 

    I have no affiliation with the publishers of Best Little Bead Book or
    with Rio/Bell Group. 

Patricia Tschetter
Tschetter Studios, Inc.
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