Beads rotating on headpins

[Sheen]

This has been mystifying me for some time, I like to make earrings that use flat coin beads, these need to face one way, how do you stop them from rotating on their headpins and ending up facing in different directions? I have used wrapped loops to attach them to earwires, this applies pressure to stop the bead rotating but how do I do it if I want to use just a rosary/plain loop. I have some beautiful modern resin beads that I want to use a rosary loop on. Is there a special jewellers technique?

[Dennis]

If you are using resin already, there is no reason for not adding a drop of Loctite Powerfix Superglue, to stop rotation. It is a gel in a dispensing bottle available everywhere. Dennis.

[Sheen]

Thanks Dennis, my local bead shop is a big fan of zap gel superglue, I have some some of this and I imagine it must be the same as loctite. I take it a wrapped loop or glue are the only ways to stop bead rotation? Sheen.

[CJ57]

Have you asked at the bead shop, she is probably has more experience of this? She despaired at how long it takes me to string some beads because I'd rather do some really complex bit of soldering:/ I'd use glue as I don't know how else you'd stop it spinning without putting it in a setting.

[Dennis]

Thanks Dennis, my local bead shop is a big fan of zap gel superglue, I have some some of this and I imagine it must be the same as loctite. I take it a wrapped loop or glue are the only ways to stop bead rotation? Sheen.

Yes, the glue is similar. To stop them rotating beads can also be mounted on very tight wires, or by making tight loops where the wires exit.

You can also file a short groove in the hole with a bead reamer and flatten part of the wire with pliers to fit, or tighten a loop against it or, or a hundred and one things.

That said I don't use beads much as, for colour, I tend to go for mounted stones. Dennis

[Sheen]

Thanks Dennis, that opens up the possibilities for future trail and error. You've got me thinking. The short groove idea, what part of the wire are you flattening? Is it the end of the loop?

[Sheen]

Have you asked at the bead shop, she is probably has more experience of this? She despaired at how long it takes me to string some beads because I'd rather do some really complex bit of soldering:/ I'd use glue as I don't know how else you'd stop it spinning without putting it in a setting.

Thanks Caroline, I asked my local bead shop Bead Crazy some time ago but she had no answers. Have you ever been to Bead Crazy? It's well worth it just to experience the riot of colour she has in there. She mainly specialises in leathers and all manner of beads.

[Dennis]

Thanks Dennis, that opens up the possibilities for future trail and error. You've got me thinking. The short groove idea, what part of the wire are you flattening? Is it the end of the loop?

I'm sorry to be a little vague Sheen, as i have no way of actually visualising your work. But if you file a short groove in the channel which passes though your bead, then the wire which ends up there can be pinched to stop rotation.
Similarly any loop which partially ends up there will do the same.

For me this is a game of blind man's buff until you post picks, but fun all the same. Dennis.

[CJ57]

I've only been to the one that back onto the North Inch, she is a fund of info. Don't think that's the same shop. I so seldom use beads unless I feel a necklace would really be better with a pop of colour rather than silver. It's Precious Sparkle on Charlotte St, she runs classes so she must know surely. I didn't know about the George St shop, will have a look if can get up.
Had a look at their website and they don't seem to do semi precious which the other shop specialises in

[Sheen]

I've only been to the one that back onto the North Inch, she is a fund of info. Don't think that's the same shop. I so seldom use beads unless I feel a necklace would really be better with a pop of colour rather than silver. It's Precious Sparkle on Charlotte St, she runs classes so she must know surely. I didn't know about the George St shop, will have a look if can get up.
Had a look at their website and they don't seem to do semi precious which the other shop specialises in

No bead crazy doesn't do anything semi precious. Know precious sparkle well. She taught me how to use crimps. She's been very busy moving shop to one opposite the concert hall.