Stringing pearls

[Charlotte]

Hello everyone! Believe it or not I've never made a beaded necklace, promised my granny I'd make her a pearl necklace for next Saturday, but I'm making the shopping list on cooksons and finding it hard to picture the ends. So I am getting pearls, I have two types of nylon thread at home already (thats ok right?). I like the look of a ring and T bar fastening (nice and easy for granny to do up:D) but how does one attach the nylon thread to the ring and T bar? Is it just a simple knot or is there a fancy knot or some kind of crimp type affair holding the two strands together?

Lol... I can never just ask a simple question, I have to ramble on about it:-"

[Trudy]

You could use sterling calottes over crimps or knots to give it a neat finish, then the clasp would attach to them

[Petal]

The traditional way to string pearls is with silk cord and knot between each pearl, you can sometimes use the cord the pearls are actually strung on! You could put your cord/thread through a calotte, knot it with a surgeons knot, put some glue on it and then connect the calotte through whatever clasp you choose. I have made some pearl necklaces for my mum in law and used magnetic clasps, as they are even easier to open and close (not for anyone who has a pacemaker though!). If you are using nylon thread, I wouldn't crimp, as that may break the nylon.

I'm sure you'll get plenty more suggestions too from others.

good luck
Jules x

[Charlotte]

Ahhh excellent, thank you very much, added a pack to my shopping list. I assume you just bend the end over in to a link type loop? Just a few normal knots and squash the cupped part over?

[Petal]

That's right!

J

[mizgeorge]

I usually use silk (or a silk/nylon mix) for stringing pearls, and I knot them. I use the fine tweezer and overhand knot method, others prefer a needle, or a tri-tool. You can string them too though! Either way, the easiest way to attach the clasp is to drill out the last three pearls at each end (so they'll take a double strand of silk) and use gimp to cover the loop that goes through the ring. I don't get my gimp from Cooksons (sorry guys) because they don't have it in sterling for some reason.

You can also use callottes, but I'm never that happy with how secure they are.

There are a couple of excellent pearl knotting videos on youtube if you want to try doing it that way.

[Charlotte]

Thanks petal, I've added some silk to my shopping list too, thanks for the knotting tips. Is superglue ok or is there something better? I'm quite looking forward to making the set now (clip on earrings, bracelet and necklace).

With the knots between each pearl would I keep the knots as close to the pearl as possible?
:respekt:

[Charlotte]

Thanks George. I saw that gimp stuff while browsing and couldn't understand how it would be used? Is it like a tube made of spiralled metal (image is too small for me to decipher) which you squash on to the cord? Sorry if I sound a bit dim but this is a whole new world to me! Good tip on the bigger holes on the last pearls, I do like things to be nice a neat!:Y:

[Trudy]

Thanks George. I saw that gimp stuff while browsing and couldn't understand how it would be used? Is it like a tube made of spiralled metal (image is too small for me to decipher) which you squash on to the cord? Sorry if I sound a bit dim but this is a whole new world to me! Good tip on the bigger holes on the last pearls, I do like things to be nice a neat!:Y:

It is like a tiny coil of wire but not springy...you cut a little piece and use it over the silk by threading it through at the end...to protect it from rubbing against the metal findings...hope that makes sense :)

[The Bijou Dragon]

Here's a video that shows you what you need and what you need to do :)

YouTube - RioGrande1944's Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/RioGrande1944#play/user/FD7BA32EC47480EB/5/jvZ1FE25AMM)

Gimp is a very fine spiral of silver :)

[bustagasket]

I been string pearls over the summer using the knotting and gimp methods etc, but whilst at the IJL show i got chatting with a lovely lady who was stringing on a stand and using a different technique for the knot which looked far less complicated than the one i was taught and gave a very neat knot

I think a lot of it also had to do with the quality of the silk - just looking at it i could see the quality of it and so she told me what she used Pearsall silk, expensive but iHAVE to get me some

[Petal]

I usually use silk (or a silk/nylon mix) for stringing pearls, and I knot them. I use the fine tweezer and overhand knot method, others prefer a needle, or a tri-tool. You can string them too though! Either way, the easiest way to attach the clasp is to drill out the last three pearls at each end (so they'll take a double strand of silk) and use gimp to cover the loop that goes through the ring. I don't get my gimp from Cooksons (sorry guys) because they don't have it in sterling for some reason.

You can also use callottes, but I'm never that happy with how secure they are.

There are a couple of excellent pearl knotting videos on youtube if you want to try doing it that way.

Thanks for the useful info George! I knot mine using a needle, but its nowhere near as good as that knotting tool.

You mention not being happy with calottes being that secure, what do you (or others) use for multistranded necklaces/bracelets then?


Jules x

[mizgeorge]

I don't get on at all with the tri-knotting tool. I'm told it's fine if you've never used anything else, but I hated it!

Try these (very home-made video, but good technique)

YouTube - Pearl Knotting 101 - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7D7GvsdNEw)
and
YouTube - Pearl Knotting 101 - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiksMZ9MFQo&feature=related)

These show the tweezer method, which for an occasional knotter like me works better, and causes fewer bleeding fingers, than a needle or awl!

To use the gimp, just cut a short length (about 1/4") and thread it onto the silk, then loop it over (it will make a nice round) and thread back into the last bead. Knot, then thread into the next and knot again and finally through the last double drilled pearl and knot, then trim off the extra silk.

Jules, I tend to use cones to cover crimped loops threaded onto a piece wire with a wrapped loop either side of the cone (one inside, one out) for multistrand stuff. The heavyweight calottes with a loop on both sides are better than the thin foldover ones, but I'm still never convinced that they last very well!

[kymbi]

I recently had a commission to string a pearl necklace and bracelet and my heart sunk as I don't do knotting very often and don't like it.

I borrowed a tri-knotter thingymajig off a fellow member and couldn't get on with it. I found the same YouTube videos that George recommended below and found them very good and easy to follow.

I don't like callottes for any of my jewellery so steered clear. I did the classic of drilling 3 pearls at each end and knotted back through. I didn't have any gimp so I made my own with fine gold-fill wire to match the clasp - just wind the wire around a headpin to get a small coil and use as normal. I used griffin silk and the finished jewellery hung beautifully.

George, when you do the ends and go back through the last 3 pearls, how do you get the knot not to unravel when it's trimmed back? I had to add a tiny dab of glue on the final knots as I didn't feel confident with it.

[bustagasket]

George, when you do the ends and go back through the last 3 pearls, how do you get the knot not to unravel when it's trimmed back? I had to add a tiny dab of glue on the final knots as I didn't feel confident with it.

I was taught that the end 3 knots on both ends should be glued as a matter of course, not cos there was anything wrong with the knots.

[kymbi]

Thanks Su, that's comforting to know - I've a friend who knots all time and looked horrified when I mentioned that I'd sealed the knots. I couldn't imagine how they were secure otherwise.

[Charlotte]

Oh my goodness... lol, thanks for all the help, I have a HUGE shopping list, a little scared to click 'check out' but I will! I enjoyed all the videos, I'm feeling pretty clear about what to do, but I'll have to refer to them while making. I think I'll be happier using the tricord tool (unfortunately £15, grrr cooksons!!) and I prefer the finish of the gimp ends (get me with the lingo:-") but I bought the other thingies too (I've lost it again#-o).

To make by Monday evening (using pearls):
2 Necklaces
1 Bracelet
1 pair of clip on earings

Oh... and one or two pairs of cufflinks if I have time (not with pearls).

Lets just hope the delivery is as good as usual and I haven't got the size of the silk wrong and I'll let you know (take photos if I can) in the next few days!

Thanks again everyone, would be totally stuck without you!:X

[Petal]

Ah, thanks for that George!

Jules x

[kymbi]

Good luck Charlotte - looking forward to seeing the finished items :D

[mizgeorge]

I confess. I often glue the last knot with an organic binder or gs hypo.

I have also drilled an extra pearl, threaded the loose end through that and trimmed immediately after the pearl. It doesn't seem to work back through as long as the next knot sits nice and tight.

Good luck with the knotter Charlotte! I must find mine and rehome it sometime :)

[CDW Designs]

Excellent You Tube video. I've couldnt get the knots to work before!! How do you use the gimp? By twisting it around the thread?
Christine - another amateur|!![[]]

[bustagasket]

Excellent You Tube video. I've couldnt get the knots to work before!! How do you use the gimp? By twisting it around the thread?
Christine - another amateur|!![[]]

Gimp is like a very fine tube of teensy wire, make sure you cut it with very sharp scissors or it will catch on your silk and unravel as you move it along :)

[Charlotte]

I can't wait for my delivery... cooksons often do next day delivery if you order before 12 right? Its been a while since my last order and I've never really ordered something I wanted so quickly (due to time I mean, I always want jewellery stuff now!)! Although I get 'new stuff' nerves... when I convince myself I've got all muddled on what I need=:-O

I love that first youtube video, the finished piece is perfect=D>.

[bustagasket]

i get terribly excited about my cookie orders :D

[Charlotte]

I just finished the bracelet! Woooow! Pretty satisfying. Ran in to several problems because the holes in one bunch of pearls were too big for the silk so I doubled it over which made it tough to get the gimp on but I got there eventually! Now wondering why I didn't make my own fastenings but I still have a lot to do so it was probably for the best.

Nice to have another string under my belt:Y:

:ta: For the help!

[The Dragon]

Good for you! =D>

You will remember to let us see the finished articles before you give them away won't you? :)

[bustagasket]

Woot well done Charlotte dont forget the piccies :D

[CDW Designs]

Hi Charlotte
Yes, lets see the finished product. Has anyone got tips in using the gimp? I have some but dont quite understand how to finish off a bracelet or necklace. Any tips?!?!?!
:~::ta:

[Kalorlo]

I actually found a tutorial for using gimp earlier today while looking for something else - French wire at Jewelrymaking Beads Library (http://www.jewelrymaking-beads-library.com/french-wire1.html). It has pictures :Y:

[Charlotte]

Here's the necklace and earrings (clip ons). I'm pretty happy with them, and I think Granny'll like them too;) Still have a finer necklace to make with gold fastenings, I'll put up another pic as soon as I'm done!

[Di Sandland]

If granny doesn't want them, I'll have them. gorgeous.

[agent_44]

They look lovely Charlotte, your Granny will love them!

[Trudy]

They are really gorgeous Charlotte :Y:
I would definitely wear them :)

[bustagasket]

Charlotte that hangs beautifully!! well done hun, looks lovely and evenly knotted :D

[JOOLZ]

Hi, don`t use superglue to seal the knots, it dries stiff, i use clear nail varnish on the last knot that i threaded back from the clasp, (if using the gimp method), apply the nail varnish to the knot making sure it soaks into the thread and leave a tail of thread,wait until the nail varnish is dry, then cut as close as possible to the knot using a craft knife.

[CDW Designs]

I actually found a tutorial for using gimp earlier today while looking for something else - French wire at Jewelrymaking Beads Library (http://www.jewelrymaking-beads-library.com/french-wire1.html). It has pictures :Y:

Excellent Heather, just run out of ink so cant print out but will go back to it. I now understand . Thanks very much. I can now get on with finishings some stone necklaces etc. I needed the inspiration. Thank you again.
Christine :dance:

[CDW Designs]

Here's the necklace and earrings (clip ons). I'm pretty happy with them, and I think Granny'll like them too;) Still have a finer necklace to make with gold fastenings, I'll put up another pic as soon as I'm done!

Charlotte
The necklace looks lovely. My favourite pearls. Your granny will love them. I'll have them if she doesnt!!. Well done.
Christine:">

[pearlescence]

We just made a video of how to string using Griffin, from start to finish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb5_xrWli_g&feature=channel_video_title