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Newbie Q about Thread and Metal Beads

Hi,

I'm a hobbiest who mostly beads pieces as gifts; I've dabbled in knotting pearls and stringing on wire, but I haven't done anything with small beads on thread. I now have an idea and want to know if it's feasible.

Basically I'd like to make a bracelet using gold-filled or plated beads (maybe silver in there too) where the thread or wire will need to pass through the bead holes twice, as in a right angle weave. Is this workable? My armchair research (assisted by google) tells me C- Lon is a great thread to use, because it's supposed to be strong enough for metal beads, doesn't stretch, and doesn't need to be waxed (low maintenance is perfect for a hobbiest like me) and I can get it in a color close to silver or gold. It's also thin enough to pass through the bead holes twice, while if I get a wire thin enough the wire will likely not be strong enough to hold up. My concern is, will the thread be likely to break if I'm using it to do fancy bent things, like a RAW, using metal beads, or should it be strong enough to hold up?

Thanks, Jeanne

Reply to
JeanneP
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Hi Jeanne,

I like C-Lon, and have used it a lot with glass beads. Usually size D. It fits in most size 10 needles, barely into some 11s and a few 12s. On the size 11 needle I can usually make three passes of a single strand of thread.

But for my best stuff I prefer a Spectre line, like Spider Wire or PowerPro. I think what I've got is Spider Wire 10 lb in a fused line. It's a little heavier that size D C-Lon, but I can squash the line (only on the fused style) with smooth flat pliers and it will then fit into my size 10 needles.

I personally don't care for the covered wire stringing material, but lots of people do. If you choose it be sure to get a very high number of strands for strength and suppleness (49). Soft Touch is best, or SoftFlex. Expensive stuff.

You'll want to use golf filled. Gold plate wears of quickly; even if it's vermeil which is silver plated with gold. Also remember that high karat gold is softer and so wears faster and thus in many applications is less desirable than 14k.

Since you will be putting a lot of effort into this, go ahead and use the best materials you can. On the other hand, if this is a new technique for you, you might want to try it first in something less expensive and larger beads. Like maybe using 6mm round druk glass beads on nylon thread. Or maybe grey spectre line (like PowerPro) with sterling. The grey or very soft olive would blend well as the silver ages. If you practice with seed beads, remember than seed beads are not round and will fit together differently.

Sounds like a great project.

Tina

Reply to
Christina Peterson

[snip]

Thanks Tina!

Can you tell me what you think about the importance of matching the thread color to the beads? I had read descriptions of the other stringing materials you mentioned but they don't come in gold color so I'd kept looking and found C-Lon. However, if the other materials are stronger than C-Lon and the color of the thread doesn't really matter I'll choose one of those. My goal is to have something that looks like "real" jewelry, if you know what I mean.

I have a few leftover beads from previous projects (mostly making simple necklaces altering 3x6mm oval shaped semiprecious beads with spacers) and I was thinking of practicing with those. If it works I'll get a funky bracelet that coordinates with my necklaces. *grin* Since that one would have varied colors I would choose a neutral colored thread.

Glad to see this group isn't *totally* overrun with spammers, Jeanne

Reply to
JeanneP

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