bds-nb1108_02.pdf

Notebook 2

You’ve got the world on a string

Things to keep in mind when deciding on stringing material:

• Size of beads/holes

• Strength

• Flexibility

• Will it hold a knot?

• Durability needed (climate, weight of beads)

• Stretchiness

• Color

• How much it will show?

Rule of thumb: Use the largest diameter wire that

will go through the smallest hole in your design.

Stringing options

For most stringing projects, lexible beading wire is the way to go. Flexible beading

wire is made up of multiple strands twisted together and coated with nylon. The

strand quantities 7, 19, and 49 refer to the number of wires twisted together. Flexibility

increases with the number of strands. 49 strands is the most lexible and will have the

best drape. 7 will hold its shape better. The .012, .014, and .015 refers to the diameter

of the beading wire. For example, .012 wire measures .012 inches in diameter.

Beading thread drapes and knots nicely and comes primarily in silk and nylon.

Silk is used to string pearls (other stringing materials may harm delicate pearls) and

gemstones and beads with very small holes. It’s not recommended for beads with

sharp or abrasive edges because silk will fray in time and the piece will have to be

re-strung.

Nylon is more durable than silk and is recommended for any kind of stringing except

pearls. Nylon thread is sometimes sold with a beading needle already attached.

CREATIVE TIP #2

The polished holes and rounded edges of CRYSTALLIZED™ beads and pendants

will protect whatever thread you use. Visit WWW.CREATE-YOUR-STYLE.COM

Cord

Cord comes in a number of materials including silk, hemp, leather, and

suede. Satin, elastic, and monoilament are probably the most popular.

Satin cord comes in rattail (2 mm), mousetail (1.5 mm), and bugtail (1 mm).

Rattail is often used for Chinese knotting. Otherwise, obviously the look you’re

trying to achieve and the size of your beads is the deciding factor. It’s slippery,

but easy to knot, and comes in a range of colors.

Elastic cord is a good choice when you have a one-size-its-all project or if you

want to avoid a clasp. It is sometimes not the most long-lasting choice and

elastic knots are more likely to come undone than other material. Square knots

are best — and a drop of super glue doesn’t hurt. Elastic cord usually comes in

diameters of .5 mm to 1.5 mm, so very-small-hole beads aren’t an option.

Monoilament (ishing line) in 6- or 8-pound test is often used for beading.

FireLine is one popular brand among beaders. On the plus side, monoilament

is very inexpensive. On the minus side, the color choices are limited.

Monoilament drapes and knots well, but may kink if handled carelessly. A

bonus: Asking the guys at the sporting goods store to help you ind the correct

ishing line for beading is pretty entertaining.

How much do you need?

When cutting a piece of stringing material for a necklace, add 6 inches to the

desired length of the piece for inishing. For a bracelet, add 5 inches. If you’re

an expert at inishing you may be able to get by with less.

If the strands will be twisted or knotted, it’s usually a good idea to add 75% to

100% more to the desired length before adding the inishing amount. Add more

or less depending on how much knotting or twisting is involved. Always err on

the side of more.

Beading wire basics

Diameter

Best for

.010

seed beads, freshwater pearls, and smaller gemstones

.012/.013

crystal beads, seed beads, freshwater pearls

.015/.018

medium to heavy beads and gemstones, crystals, seed beads, glass and

metal beads. These are the most common sizes for making jewelry.

.020/.021

large, heavy gemstones with unevenly drilled bead holes for medium-

weight designs

.024/.026

large, heavy beads with large holes

.030/.036

large, chunky, heavy beads, large crystals

Source: Beadalon

BDS-NB1108

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: