Another stringing question!!

Soft Flex is more like Tiger Tail, it's stiffer, and you just string the beads without a needle, use crimps to attach clasps. Soft Touch is more flexible, can be knotted or used with crimps, and there are needles that SoftFlex Co sells you can thread it thru - although you may have difficulty stringing beads with small holes with the needle. I like the Soft Touch b/c it drapes so nicely, yet gives you the protection of covered wire - I knot AND crimp to ends for extra protection as well.

One design tip is to string a row of beads on either type of beading wire, attach the desired clasp, then use this base to bead from with Peyote or some other off loom stitch. It gives the necklace more strength and structure - also makes it possible to string thru a pendant or beaded bezel.

My daughter is terribly rough on jewelry - she is my "test pilot" for my designs - a lot of them don't survive her wearing them! LOL That's why I started using Soft Touch with a knot AND a crimp, and a dab of glue! HTH

Jerri, Karleen's given you a great summary of the differences. I've only used Soft Touch a few times, mostly for pearls, and it does drape nicely with lightweight beads. I don't believe it is as strong as Soft Flex, as I remember, one of the necklaces I made with Soft Touch broke and I haven't used it since. It was a LONG time ago, and my memory is not what it used to be (it pains me to admit that). I know beaders who swear by Soft Touch though. Some bead stores sell each of these by the yard. If yours does, why not buy a yard of each and see which one you like best? Patti

Argh! I am missing posts and can't see Karleen's. Could someone repost it or send it to me?

Patti, thanks for the suggestion. Next time I'm at the LBS, I'll see if they sell them by the yard. That's a great idea.

Soft Flex is more like Tiger Tail, it's stiffer, and you just string the beads without a needle, use crimps to attach clasps. Soft Touch is more

flexible, can be knotted or used with crimps, and there are needles that SoftFlex Co sells you can thread it thru - although you may have difficulty stringing beads with small holes with the needle. I like the Soft Touch b/c it drapes so nicely, yet gives you the protection of covered wire - I knot AND crimp to ends for extra protection as well.

One design tip is to string a row of beads on either type of beading wire, attach the desired clasp, then use this base to bead from with Peyote or some other off loom stitch. It gives the necklace more strength and structure - also makes it possible to string thru a pendant or beaded bezel.

My daughter is terribly rough on jewelry - she is my "test pilot" for my designs - a lot of them don't survive her wearing them! LOL That's why I started using Soft Touch with a knot AND a crimp, and a dab of glue! HTH

Thanks for reposting, Patti!!

this is why I switched to google. I never got Kalera's at news.hawaii.edu

- and I know that mine don't show up there at times either, which is especially funny when posting to Hawaii related newsgroups ...

mine (Ben Franklin, which is kinda like Michael's, but it's the only one we got other than Walmart) doesn't. At least they have both, but it's 30 yards and up.

(I didn't see Patti's reply though, only the repost, thanks, Jerri, for posting Patti's reply)

I just looked at those this weekend, finding myself unable to decide - especially if you have to pay about $12 just to try something and then may be stuck with 30 yards of it and not like it. -

Maren Palms, Etc.: Tropical Plant Seeds - Hand-made Jewelry - Plants & Lilikoi

Soft Touch is meant to be woven..If you have a design using a sharp bead like a Swarovski in which thread won't hold up, Soft Touch is the answer. Soft Touch is not meant to be used for stringing designs with heavy beads.

One time the Soft Flex company sent me FREE samples for my beading group - go to their website and ask! They might do it again...

Thanls Karleen! (will try that)

Maren

Karleen/Vibrant Jewels wrote:

what I'm looking for is something that can be knotted but will go through Job's Tears without a beading needle (trying to avoid beading needles as well as crimping). Is there even anything like that? (Can this be done?)

thanks,

Maren

"Patti" wrote: ... ...

... ...

I've been wanting to ask about re-stringing some freshwater pearls ... I have Soft Flex as well as some thread from a bead store. Is Soft Flex too hard for pearls? Many thanks in advance!

It depends on the diameter and strand count. 19 strand is less flexible than 49. I string pearls and crystals on 49 strand SoftTouch all the time and it drapes well.

Barbara