Ask A Bead Babe
Do pearls need to be knotted?
Q. Is it always necessary to knot pearls? If I'm using other beads (for a necklace), can I just string them along with
others?
- Judith, Brattleboro, Vermont
A. Pearls don't have to be knotted at all. It used to be the standard, and it's still a good idea if you're using very
expensive pearls. The delicate surfaces can get scratched when strung together or with gemstones, and you risk
losing them if they're strung without knots and the strand breaks. We love the look of knotted pearls, but everyone at
The Bead Shop incorporates pearls into their designs. So yes, you can absolutely string them with your gemstones.
Just be sure to use a good stringing wire like Softflex, and you'll be fine.
Q. Is it always necessary to knot pearls? If I'm using other beads (for a necklace), can I just string them along with
others?
- Judith, Brattleboro, Vermont
A. Pearls don't have to be knotted at all. It used to be the standard, and it's still a good idea if you're using very
expensive pearls. The delicate surfaces can get scratched when strung together or with gemstones, and you risk
losing them if they're strung without knots and the strand breaks. We love the look of knotted pearls, but everyone at
The Bead Shop incorporates pearls into their designs. So yes, you can absolutely string them with your gemstones.
Just be sure to use a good stringing wire like Softflex, and you'll be fine.
How to protect shell?
Q. I picked some wonderful shell pieces from the shores of North Carolina. What I should use to seal natural shell
pieces?
-Brenda
A. You'll need a sealant. Almost any craft or hobby shop will carry one specifically for shells. If you can't find it, an
alternative is clear nail polish. The polish will do the job, but you have to be more careful that it is applied smoothly
and evenly.
Q. I picked some wonderful shell pieces from the shores of North Carolina. What I should use to seal natural shell
pieces?
-Brenda
A. You'll need a sealant. Almost any craft or hobby shop will carry one specifically for shells. If you can't find it, an
alternative is clear nail polish. The polish will do the job, but you have to be more careful that it is applied smoothly
and evenly.
Am I crimping wrong?
Q. Occasionally I'll have a necklace/bracelet that'll break. It breaks or slips where I have crimped it. What am I
doing wrong? I have never used a crimp cover, would they help with this problem.
-Debbie, Austin, TX
A. Your wire might be breaking and slipping because of a few reasons. One, are you using the correct crimps for the
wire? Different sized wire require different sized crimps. The standard wire used for most stringing projects is
softflex 0.014 (diameter). This, along with any other wire ranging to 0.019 (diameter), is typically crimped with a
2 x 2 crimp bead. You can also use a 1 x 2 if you prefer, just be sure that the diameter of the tube is 2mm. A 2mm
crimp bead can hold up to 6 strands of the 0.014 softflex. If you're using a crimp that is larger than this, your wire
will tend to slip. If you are using a 0.010 (diameter) wire, unless you are using multiple strands, you need a
micro-crimp bead. Again, if your crimp bead is too big for your wire, it will tend to slip.
Two, are you using the appropriate wire for your beads? If you are using heavy beads, you need to use thicker
wire. The label on the package should specify how much weight it can sustain. The 0.014 softflex can hold up to 10
pounds and the 0.019 softflex can hold up to 25 pounds.
Finally, are you crimping properly? Are you using a crimp tool? The wire can tend to slip with just a flat crimp.
With a crimp tool, you can double crimp creating a stronger crimp by eliminating the excess space for the wires to
move. In both cases, be sure to crimp properly. You want to use alot of pressure to get a tight crimp. However, I've
notice that, when you apply too much pressure, the crimp can be flattened to the point where it creates a sharp
edge. This will cut your wire. When using a crimp tool, be sure to place the crimp bead in the designated grooves
and is comfortably sitting in the grooves. Again, if you don't, crimping will create these sharp edges.
I hope that at least one, if not all, of these tips helps you.
Q. Occasionally I'll have a necklace/bracelet that'll break. It breaks or slips where I have crimped it. What am I
doing wrong? I have never used a crimp cover, would they help with this problem.
-Debbie, Austin, TX
A. Your wire might be breaking and slipping because of a few reasons. One, are you using the correct crimps for the
wire? Different sized wire require different sized crimps. The standard wire used for most stringing projects is
softflex 0.014 (diameter). This, along with any other wire ranging to 0.019 (diameter), is typically crimped with a
2 x 2 crimp bead. You can also use a 1 x 2 if you prefer, just be sure that the diameter of the tube is 2mm. A 2mm
crimp bead can hold up to 6 strands of the 0.014 softflex. If you're using a crimp that is larger than this, your wire
will tend to slip. If you are using a 0.010 (diameter) wire, unless you are using multiple strands, you need a
micro-crimp bead. Again, if your crimp bead is too big for your wire, it will tend to slip.
Two, are you using the appropriate wire for your beads? If you are using heavy beads, you need to use thicker
wire. The label on the package should specify how much weight it can sustain. The 0.014 softflex can hold up to 10
pounds and the 0.019 softflex can hold up to 25 pounds.
Finally, are you crimping properly? Are you using a crimp tool? The wire can tend to slip with just a flat crimp.
With a crimp tool, you can double crimp creating a stronger crimp by eliminating the excess space for the wires to
move. In both cases, be sure to crimp properly. You want to use alot of pressure to get a tight crimp. However, I've
notice that, when you apply too much pressure, the crimp can be flattened to the point where it creates a sharp
edge. This will cut your wire. When using a crimp tool, be sure to place the crimp bead in the designated grooves
and is comfortably sitting in the grooves. Again, if you don't, crimping will create these sharp edges.
I hope that at least one, if not all, of these tips helps you.
Earring construction
Q. I feel like I missed out on the secret to having all the parts face forward when I am making a pair of earrings. A
good example is I have a couple of different beads on the eye pin and then a charm hanging from the loop of the eye
pin. I just cannot make them all line up nicely without fighting or fiddling with them for a long time. Is there a way I
should be looking at the project before I attach the parts? HELP ME!
-Bernadette, Redding
A. It is a tricky thing. You do need to lay out your design before constructing the earrings. The immediate things
you should look for are how each component, ear-wire(or post), the pin, and the charm, are going to connect. The
ear-wire(or post) and the charm will have the loops on it already. Pay attention to the direction of these loops. Some
are facing forward, some are facing sideways. These will always vary in different components and charms. To
attach them together, so they lay right, you can adjust your pin accordingly. When using an eye pin, hook the charm
into the pin first. Then, thread your beads. When making your loop to attach to the ear-wire (or post), be sure to
determine which way you need the loop to face. Does it need to be forward or sideways? If you're making
wire-wrapped loops, as opposed to rosary loops, be sure to note that when you thread the component on the pin, it is
turning its position. Be sure to look at the position of your charm before you wrap your wire. If it's backwards, back
your component out slowly off the wire and reverse it.
Q. I feel like I missed out on the secret to having all the parts face forward when I am making a pair of earrings. A
good example is I have a couple of different beads on the eye pin and then a charm hanging from the loop of the eye
pin. I just cannot make them all line up nicely without fighting or fiddling with them for a long time. Is there a way I
should be looking at the project before I attach the parts? HELP ME!
-Bernadette, Redding
A. It is a tricky thing. You do need to lay out your design before constructing the earrings. The immediate things
you should look for are how each component, ear-wire(or post), the pin, and the charm, are going to connect. The
ear-wire(or post) and the charm will have the loops on it already. Pay attention to the direction of these loops. Some
are facing forward, some are facing sideways. These will always vary in different components and charms. To
attach them together, so they lay right, you can adjust your pin accordingly. When using an eye pin, hook the charm
into the pin first. Then, thread your beads. When making your loop to attach to the ear-wire (or post), be sure to
determine which way you need the loop to face. Does it need to be forward or sideways? If you're making
wire-wrapped loops, as opposed to rosary loops, be sure to note that when you thread the component on the pin, it is
turning its position. Be sure to look at the position of your charm before you wrap your wire. If it's backwards, back
your component out slowly off the wire and reverse it.
Hypo-allergenic Options for finishing jewelry
Q. I have a friend who's VERY allergic to base metals, sterling silver and even most gold. I'd like to make her a
necklace, but I don't know what to use for a clasp.
-Laura, Vancouver
A. I think the only options for a clasp will be either fine silver (.999 silver with no base metal content) or as close
to pure gold as possible. You could also try finishing the necklace with ribbon. You can crimp larger loops of Soft
Flex to string ribbon through, instead of crimping onto large soldered loops which may set off her allergies. A
ribbon finish can look really pretty, you can make it as discreet or eye-catching as you wish and there's no risk of a
reaction. You can see a sample of one such necklace at
http://site.beadshopboutique.com/images/designtips/designideas/necklaces/pink1.jpg
Q. I have a friend who's VERY allergic to base metals, sterling silver and even most gold. I'd like to make her a
necklace, but I don't know what to use for a clasp.
-Laura, Vancouver
A. I think the only options for a clasp will be either fine silver (.999 silver with no base metal content) or as close
to pure gold as possible. You could also try finishing the necklace with ribbon. You can crimp larger loops of Soft
Flex to string ribbon through, instead of crimping onto large soldered loops which may set off her allergies. A
ribbon finish can look really pretty, you can make it as discreet or eye-catching as you wish and there's no risk of a
reaction. You can see a sample of one such necklace at
http://site.beadshopboutique.com/images/designtips/designideas/necklaces/pink1.jpg
Attaching Clasps to Fine Chain
Q. What is the best way to attach a clasp to a thin chain?
A. There are a few options for finishing fine chains. You can wire wrap with thin gauge wire, 26 or 28, where
possible for a strong finish. For beading chains, or where you don't want to wire wrap, try a small crimp end. All
our crimp ends are available at http://www.beadshopboutique.com/components-crimps.html Be sure to use the
appropriate size crimp for your chain. Your chain should easily slip into the crimp. It should also not be too loose.
Therefore, when you press down with your pliers the crimp holds the chain comfortably without little room to slip.
Attach a clasp to the loops provided using jump-rings or a wire wrap.
Q. What is the best way to attach a clasp to a thin chain?
A. There are a few options for finishing fine chains. You can wire wrap with thin gauge wire, 26 or 28, where
possible for a strong finish. For beading chains, or where you don't want to wire wrap, try a small crimp end. All
our crimp ends are available at http://www.beadshopboutique.com/components-crimps.html Be sure to use the
appropriate size crimp for your chain. Your chain should easily slip into the crimp. It should also not be too loose.
Therefore, when you press down with your pliers the crimp holds the chain comfortably without little room to slip.
Attach a clasp to the loops provided using jump-rings or a wire wrap.
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