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Finishing knotted silk necklaces

I have this vision for a necklace I want to make, and it involves knotted silk cord... you know the stuff that's like rolled, dyed silk ribbon? I have two related questions; one, do you have any experience knotting this stuff between beads... is that an OK idea, or will it stretch? Is there a better natural material I could use? It has to have that "look and feel" of silk, is the only thing. It also has to be at least a little sexy-sounding, LOL!

Second, more crucial question... the necklace will be fairly heavy and I'd like to finish it with a high-quality safety clasp, maybe even 18k gold, but I don't know what to do with the ENDS. I want something that will be really durable, but I have *no* experience with finishing this sort of thing. Do you know what a good finishing method might be, or have any pointers for researching some? Bead tips with glue kind of scare me... are they *really* strong enough, would they withstand the test of time? I've also seen cord crimp tips... they're pretty too, but are they going to hold up?

I will certainly have to do some practice knotting, so I may do a couple of test-run necklaces with silver clasps before I try to finish "the one". Any feedback on this project is welcome... it's been stewing in the back of my mind for I think going on two years, and it's TIME.

Thanks!

-Kalera

Reply to
Kalera Stratton
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Hi, Kalera,

Eni Oken has a tutorial on her site at

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with a great free lesson on how to finish leather cord, which would also work well with silks. I am planning to try some variations on her lesson to do leather and other cords. It looks like a very useful system. Make sure to post photos?

-Su

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Reply to
Su

Silk will stretch - so especially if your pendant is big, that might not be such a good idea. Rayon will take dye very nicely, and is very silky feeling, so I would be tempted to go with that.

Karin

Reply to
karin

If the holes are big you can use satin rattail. I have used it. I used some ribbon clamps for the ends but they are only plated ones. Shirley

In message , Kalera Stratton writes

Reply to
Shirley Shone

Reply to
Dr. Sooz

I think Kalera's talking about the matte-finish silk wrinkley ribbons (they're misnamed "cords") that are sweeping the market here in the US. They're totally different from rattail.

Kalera, I wish you were HERE -- I'd show you how to f> If the holes are big you can use satin rattail.

Reply to
Dr. Sooz

That is something else that has not reached the UK Shirley

In message , Dr. Sooz writes

Reply to
Shirley Shone

I bought a kit with silk cords and beads at Bead and Button. Six cords and three strings of beads. To finish the ends the cord was impaled on wire and hidden in a sterling silver cone. The wire came out through the cone, a few beads to match the strings of beads were added then the toggle clasp attached and the wire wrapped to finish it off.

The nine threads, all in shades of colbalt and turquoise were all put through a central pendant. No other beads were on the silk cords.

Hope the idea of a cone helps.

Cheers, Jan

Reply to
Jan G

I will, for sure!

Reply to
Kalera

Hmmmm, cones sound pretty and professional-looking. I will see if I can find them in gold. Thanks Jan!

Reply to
Kalera

I am going to be knotting it in between beads, and there will be no central pendant... I will pre-stretch the silk, though, just in case. Thanks!

Reply to
Kalera

Oooh I am going to do that. Right now. I don't even have my beads finished yet but I'm eager to get started!

Reply to
Kalera

At the rate I'm going, I might not be get it finished before I have a chance to come down there... and if that's the case, I'm bringing it with me. :)

Reply to
Kalera

It's lovely stuff, I think you would like it:

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Reply to
Kalera

It looks as if it is good from the pictures. Shirley

Reply to
Shirley Shone

Go for the real silk if you can. The rayon satin rattail frays.

I like this company's hand-dyed silk cord very much.

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Reply to
twinkiesmom

Thanks for the link! It looks lovely. Do you think it would knot well, with the cotton core?

Reply to
Kalera Stratton

I like their thin cord very much for knotting. The thick kind is a little too gushy...too much air between the silk and cotton layers.

Reply to
twinkiesmom

I forgot to mention that

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has silver plated and gold plated cord enders.

I saw the l> tw> > Go for the real silk if you can. The rayon satin rattail frays. > >

Reply to
twinkiesmom

Thanks for all the info!

Reply to
Kalera Stratton

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