[Jewelry making - Article 00269] - Re: [Orchid] What should I be stringing on...

[Lisa Orlando]

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    Almost all the necklaces I have made that incorporate stringing have
    a transition point, because I like the back third to be a series of
    beaded wrapped-loop elements alternating with soldered jump rings
    (which I admit I purchase from Rio). This makes a strong, flexible
    necklace that can incorporate the S clasps I make. I almost always
    use S clasps, in part because they makes a symmetrical adjustment of
    length possible. 

    I prefer to hide the final loop of the Softflex (which I too like
    better than other brands), since I find this more objectionable than
    the crimp itself. And I don't use "thread" because I was taught that
    it's incompatible with metal beads. 

    I hope this description of what I do is intelligible, since I don't
    have a camera: 

    1) I incorporate the crimps into the beaded design, usually as if
    they are spacers. Using other small metal beads helps, as does the
    fact that the crimps are actually fairly far from the clasp. I always
    use the best crimps I can buy, and shape them gently (the new Magical
    pliers sound awesome), and I sometimes use two short crimps, with
    other beads between them, rather than one longer one--less obtrusive. 

    2) I end with two or three (non-crimp) beads after the crimp,
    running a piece of 24 g. wire through the Softflex loop, before
    running the Softflex back through the beads to the crimp. 

    3) I make a tiny wrapped loop on one end of the wire, over the
    Softflex loop, and gently squash the former. I then string a bead
    over the squashed loop--I have collected beads with large enough
    holes for this purpose, but even small metal beads usually work, and
    I sometimes make a wire "bead" for this purpose. However, the bead
    needs to be long enough to hide both the tiny bit of Softflex and the
    squashed loop, so I always consider how this will work with my
    design. 

    4) I use the other end of the wire to make a wrapped loop over a
    soldered jump ring. This wrapped loop appears to "grow" directly out
    of the stringing. The jump ring becomes the first "clasp station" (is
    there another term for this?)--one which enables the necklace to be
    worn approximately choker-length. The additional jump rings, and
    connecting beaded wrapped-loop elements, act as matching dangles down
    the back at this length (I once had someone with a beautiful back,
    who loves to show it off, order a necklace with these dangles made
    purposefully quite long). The jump rings also serve as stations for
    wearing the necklace at longer lengths. I always end this series with
    a small dangle, often on a spiral head pin. 

Hope this dissertation helps someone!

Lisa Orlando
Albion, CA, USA

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