Me again!!!!! HELP!!!

On Mon, 3 May 2004 14:10:29 -0400, Sheri Shanks wrote (in message ):

You want Spectra or Dyneema fiber, same thing with different trade names. The big brand names are PowerPro, FireLine and SpiderWire. This type of line is made of recycled plastic, spun into incredibly thin strands and braided into a line which is darned near impossible to break, compared to similar diameters of monofilament fishing line or any thread. I personally do not like Spiderwire, because of the texture, but which line or lines you choose among Spectra lines is simply a matter of preference.

Some of the larger fishing supplies vendors are coming out with Spectra lines under their own labels - the Cabelas' line we discussed is one of them. Fishing departments and tackle shops are the only practical sources for these lines, because the bead store version of the same stuff is unconscionably expensive. I can get 125 yds of White PowerPro from Cabelas for the same price as 10 yds of "Beading" Power Pro from a bead store. It's the exact same stuff with a different label.

If you want to move to wire later on, you want to use one of the 49 strand wires, not Tigertail or other 7 strand wires that you'll see in craft stores. The 7 strand wire kinks and doesn't hang as well as the 49 strand wire. But I can't say how strongly I feel about your waiting a while before using wire. One of the Spectra/Dyneema fishing lines I described above is more than adequate for stringing and beadweaving. With a proper knot and a dot of nail polish, you'll have what amounts to a permanent piece of jewelry.

Spectra lines do require one tool: a pair of Children's Fiskar scissors. Not adult scissors, not embroidery or any other fancy scissors, Children's Fiskars - available in the crayon aisle of any discount store. Should set you back a dollar or so. This is the *only* tool that will cut a Spectra line cleanly. Anything else will give you headaches.

Wire stringing requires crimp beads (no other stringing materials require crimp beads), and crimp beads have a learning curve - if I'm at all typical, there will be some swearing involved. Make sure you like beading before making the investment in good wire, precious metal crimps and a quality set of crimping pliers. The less expensive versions of these materials will only give you headaches - it's one of those cases where you really have to buy the best to get the items to work at all.

Plated crimps and "bargain" crimping pliers are worthless. You might as well light your money with a match, because it would be less stressful than tryng to work with these things. Plated crimps crack and break, and don't fold properly, and really don't grip the wire well. Bargain pliers will not align properly and will make a weak crimp, even if it looks okay. I learned this from bitter, bitter experience. The last thing you want is for a piece of your beautiful jewelry to spontaneously destruct just because a five cent piece of metal decided to fail.

Use the PowerPro line for at least a few months. If you decide you're ready to make the jump to stringing wire, we can help you master the crimps. In the meantime, you will be much happier with tiny knots in fishing line. (I use a surgeon's knot, which is a modified square knot. Very easy, and hold well)

Off my soapbox,

Kathy N-V

I see that Kathy gave you lots and lots of information but if you're looking at the Cabela's catalog, look for Cabela's Ripcord thermofused. It's their spectra fused line. I really like the 8# test in smoke for stringing. I can thread it onto a size 12 needle (not easily mind you!) but it's stiff enough to not require a needle for most stringing. And it definitely crimps well.

HTH

I wrote it all down... and will go looking soon for it!!! I want to have all the right stuff for when my daughter when she gets her so I can redo her bracelet.... I'm even thinking of getting new stones for the bracelet.. I might wait till she gets it and let me know what she thinks about it.....

She gave me the answers I was looking for.. thanks!!! I looked thru my Firemountain Gems catalog today at work... and found a lot of things I want.. ... now I have to get another job to pay for my hobby!!!

On Mon, 3 May 2004 21:18:35 -0400, Sheri Shanks wrote (in message ):

Hon, you can do a lot better shopping places other than Fire Mountain. Spends a half an hour browsing through the web sites at

the weekly specials at and abeadstore.com (but avoid the Indian glass beads)

If you're determined to do one stop shopping and needing a catalog, call the nice folks at Shipwreck beads. Great catalog, and a good company to work with.

You'll find nicer items for a _lot_ less money.

If there is some off the wall item you find yourself needling, let us know. People like me have huge stashes of beads, and I'm willing to share.

Kathy N-V

the help I receive here never seems to end!!! I'm trying to find more places to send me catalogs..... Firemountain was the first one that I got.... (the only one I got right now).... and I'm not to worried about one stop shopping... but what I really am trying to find is some very nice alexandrite beads..... would love Swarovski 8mm beads...... but it's getting to the point that I'm taking almost anything!! I'm not real fond of e-bay... no real reason.. I guess it's just a "hangover" from when they first started and people didn't get their stuff.... I was reading the firestone catalog and really getting into the meanings of different gemstones and had some ideas for some necklaces for myself and others as far as using the stones to help with problems..... I don't have a computer at work so right now all my "shopping" has to be done when I'm home....

What Margie and Kathy said are great. I can attest to the Cabela's brand. Margie sent some to me and I love it. My MIL purchased some for me and I love it.

I guess I have some shopping ahead of me!!!

where can I get a Carbela catalog??

Google is your friend and mine too. :=)

That's Cabela's online catalog and brings straight to the specialty fishing lines.

Sheri,

Mj has a bunch of alexandrite at her eBay Store. Although it's technically on eBay it is really a store (no auctions, a nice shopping cart).

you are just way to good to me!!! (i use google.. just forget I have it bookmarked sometimes!

I have bookmarked her "store" .. I really wish I had a computer at work!!! I have a lot of down time at work... and right now I play games on my palm pilot and sometimes I take in cross stitch to do.... if I had a PC.. I could do all kinds of shopping!!!

On Tue, 4 May 2004 18:25:15 -0400, Sheri Shanks wrote (in message ):

Borrow a beading techniques book from the library. "The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving" is widely available. I think "Beading with Ruby" is better for beginners, but is harder to find. Then, get some big old 6/0 seed beads and anything you like for thread and teach yourself some stitches. Your whole practice kit could easily fit in an Altoids tin.

You'll be amazed at the world that opens up to you with just a few minutes of learning time each day. Once you have a stitch down, that same Altoids tin can hold a small project you can pick up and put down whenever you have down time at work.

You have a leg up on most new beaders, because you can follow a counted cross stitch chart. You'll be able to adapt your existing patterns to beads, and there are loads of beaded patterns just waiting for you. (You're gonna love this, take my word for it)

Kathy N-V

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kathy N-V :

](You're gonna love this, take my word for it)

**grin** and another one is assimilated!

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

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

Several years ago I made bracelets and pins from kits that Mill Hill put out using seed beads... I have several (probably almost every color of beads) Mill Hill makes, and I also did some beading on sweatshirts.... but I have never used the gemstones and such that I want to get into now. I've got some basic info... just have never branched out into what I want to do now..... I'm thinking of taking a few of the kits that I have.. that I have done and take them to work.... at least it's something different than playing solitaire!!!!

I feel like I might have been "recruited" by a cult!!! LOL

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Sheri Shanks" :

]I feel like I might have been "recruited" by a cult!!! LOL

you thought otherwise????????

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

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

well.. no.... I don't think I thought otherwise!!! (does this mean I get a whole new name?!?!?!??!) LOL

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Sheri Shanks" :

]well.. no.... I don't think I thought otherwise!!! (does this mean I get a ]whole new name?!?!?!??!) LOL

absolutely - take your pick! there are lots of those here.

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

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.