can we talk about quality findings and components? (long)

I'm very glad the SS beads I buy aren't stamped. It would be pretty wierd to have a string of sterling beads around my neck all marked with little tooth marks saying 925. If you want you can add a tag stating the it's all SS. A silver tag punched with 925. With the things I make of PMC, I can either punch or lable as FS (fine silver). I don't want to put it anywhere that impairs the look of it though. I'm pretty sure the 925 stamps are easily available and that Rio has them. Have you ordered a catalogue from them yet?

Tina

necklaces...

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@mindspring.com (Lee S. Billings) :

]Good idea! I know I bought things early on in the process of getting involved ]with jewelry that, later, I decided were not really what I wanted or needed. ]Some of them I've found ways to get rid of; others are still cluttering my work ]area. But be aware that this is an ongoing process -- you will probably find ]your interests and preferences changing and growing for quite a while.

SECONDED! you should see the size of the box i just mailed off to April this morning! and i probably didn't get all of it! i've still got some stuff [just because i love the colors] that may still not ever see the light of day . . . because i'm not sure i can trust them!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 22:27:05 -0400, Christina Peterson wrote (in message ):

I've heard that french wire is good. As for me, I generally (eep) run it over the attachment portion of the clasp and weave the tail back into the beads. On silver, it's practically invisible.

Kathy N-V

yes I have ordered my catalog! Can't wait for it to come.

I was thinking more along the lines of the SS or 925 stamp inside the bead or somewhere where it wouldn't show when strung... or on the clasps at least... when I worked at the jewelry store, it wasn't sterling - or we couldn't sell it as sterling, unless there was a mark *somewhere* on the piece saying it was. I'm going to look into what legally I can do to put a stamp on my handmade clasps - I'll let you all know what I find out.

:) Pam

I like Softflex 49-strand, myself.

I would definitely *not* recommend Tigertail. It was the first stringing material I tried, and I found that it breaks, as well as kinks terribly. It also just feels icky to the touch, if you know what I mean. Softflex is very soft and more fluid, and doesn't kink. (There are other types of 49-strand wire too, but I haven't tried them.)

I have been dying to try Fireline! I hear that the larger #lb test weights are fine for stringing - there are folks here who can give you more specific info.

What's the best #lb test for weaving, while we're on the topic? Is there a size small enough to do a spiral piece with size 11 core beads?

I've wondered the same thing. When I buy sterling components, I want to see that stamp - it's a disappointment when I don't.

I use lobster claws a lot at this point, because I'm still mostly beading for a hobby and nice toggles are expensive. I've never had one fail, so I consider them reliable, but they can get boring after a while. I figure they're better than spring rings, which I dislike and never use.

Absolutely. One thing I've gleaned from many people in this group is that the piece itself should be considered when choosing the type of clasp. For example, toggles that work well on the wrist may come undone if used in a necklace. Hook-and-eye clasps may stay secure on the neck but come undone on the wrist if given any slack. And of course you have to consider the weight of the piece etc.

I love the look of button clasps, but I have to use elastic on the loop to be sure that it won't come undone, especially since Silamide will stretch some over time. Perhaps Fireline will help solve this issue for me, since I'm not a big fan of elastic.

I've read about illusion cord from many sources, and the major con I have found across the board is that it yellows pretty quickly with exposure to sunlight. I know that I saw *somewhere*, advertised, a clear cord designed not to yellow or go brittle, but darned if I can remember where. I've never tried it myself, though.

The thing I'm wary about it is that you glue the bead on to it - and if you are gluing it - doesn't that mean you could never re-string it on something else if the string broke or it went out of style or whatever? Had not thought about the yellowing... seems like maybe this stuff would be good for costume/ one off jewelry then - for weddings or proms or whatever.

Pam

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from scaperchick :

]especially since Silamide ]will stretch some over time. Perhaps Fireline will help solve this ]issue for me

that's why i switched from Silamide to Fireline. 4lb should do your bead weaving for you.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

I have the 6# test and it's great for all my seed bead projects. Since I haven't made one and worn it for long, I don't know if it stretches, but it seems from other comments that it's not going to stretch.

I made this tubular peyote necklace out of these teeny tiny little vintage class beads - they were not rounded seed beads more like little tubes. I gave it away already so I can't show it off... but I did find that while it got done and looked great, I did break a bunch of the beads along the way... it was very frustrating. But if I remember correctly - it was the needle, not the fireline that caused the breaking. And the fact that all the beads were just a little different - some large enough to accommodate the needle and thread, other's just too small.

Other than that the 6# has worked great for all the other size seed beads I've used - 11's, 8's whatever.

Hope that helps, Pam

well, that's a whole 'nother thread. Many different healers/shamans do this sort of thing. Elements are usually part of it--Jews use fire to cleanse kitchen things and make them "kosher" or clean, some Indians use a special feather to move the air spirits and catch and remove the bad energies, some people bury things in dirt, or wash with water--Catholics use holy water, Wiccans sometimes bathe ritually, so do Jews, Amerindians make the air visible with smoke and use the smoke to purify and cleanse. Sage bundles work well. Salt in water is sometimes used to wash doorways, windows, etc. My personal belief is that awareness is where it starts, then add symbolism of your choice and belief structure. But I still don't like the feel of wearing gold, so I don't. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

view my auctions at:

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.compuppies (Dr. Sooz) :

]What size needle did you use? (Or do you use, for Fireline seed bead weaving?) ] ]Also, does the Fireline work for seed bead weaving when you make many passes ]through each bead? Because my work is heavily embellished with lots of added ]goop (I mean beads!).....

i used a size 15 with the 4lb Fireline. and yes, it would go through the bead several times - even the 15s.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

The latest issue of Bead & Button shows a technique for stringing those "illusion" necklaces in such a way that the thread holds the beads in place. You have to use 3-bead groupings (1 large and 2 small), but that looks like a better idea to me than either gluing or using crimps.

Celine

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.compuppies (Dr. Sooz) :

]Size 15?!?!?! Holy--- I've never even *seen* a size 15 needle. I gotta go ]shopping. ]How did you *thread* it?!?!? (I have no problem threading a size ]12...but....yikes!)

i got them from Suzanne [Hye] you use your needlenose pliers to "flatten" the end of the Fireline. threads like a charm. HOWEVER - be aware - the Fireline IS stronger than the eye of the needle. if you pull TOO hard, on that last "pass through", the eye will give before the Fireline does. and when you think about it, that's probably a GOOD thing!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

I burn sage and fan the smoke over the item. Then burn sweetgrass and do the same thing to sort of level out the energy. It's best for me to meditate a little before doing that, so my own energy is happy and grounded.

-- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.compuppies (Dr. Sooz) :

]Oh puh-leeze! Vicki, you know tons of things I don't. They're not always the ]things I need to know, that's all. :-)

ROTFLOL!

remember that Czech lampwork we were talking about?

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

It is my understanding that the 925 (or other) stamp on the clasp is supposed to be representative of the whole piece. So if the only part that's sterling is the clasp and it is stamped as sterling, it misrepresents the piece. So it's not stamped when you get it.

Tina

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.compuppies (Dr. Sooz) :

]Wow! (Love the oval olive earrings best)

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.compuppies (Dr. Sooz) :

]I'm *so* transparent.....! :-O

sometimes, yes!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)