Semi OT: Stringing Material Question....Hi! Long Time, No Post...

Hi all! Been awhile. I had put my beads away for awhile because I hit a = slump with them and nothing would come to me. Seems I'm bored with what = I have left. LOL. But after stumbling across some ribbon, and various = other play things, ideas are coming slowly but surely.

Besides, my bead slump, I've had to become my grandmother's leaning post = since my grandpa isn't really doing any better. I went over there today, = and he couldn't get out of bed, and he had numerous cuts on his arms = from falling in the bathroom. So...I go with her to the store and any = other errands she needs to get done that she couldn't do by herself.

But anyway, sorry for the OT, my question is this, I need an idea of a = material that can be braided, strung, and will stand up to water fairly = well. (i.e. shower) I'd prefer it to be "synthetic natural" that is, = something like rafia or hemp that won't rot over time with continual = wear and tear and exposure to water or sweat, etc.

Any ideas? I've searched the 'net for synthetic rafia, and similar = materials, but am coming up dry. I guess if I wanted to be really = creative, I could hunt down a palm frond, strip it, dry it, then coat = it, but that probably wouldn't work.

TIA- Rachel

Reply to
Rachel T.
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Here is a link for Hemp. You might find something there to suit you.

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Reply to
Sunfire

Hey, Girl! It's good to see you again.

Lots of us seem to be having to deal with our elders getting older now. = This is a good place for support.

How thick a fiber are you looking for? The first thing that comes to my = mind is the Spectra fishing lines. For thicker, I think hemp would be = great. As for the shower thing (I'm like that too), I've used C-Lon, a = nylon thread, but in future will use the Spectra. You know, linen = (flax) would be a good choice too.

Hope you'll keep stopping by.

Tina

Besides, my bead slump, I've had to become my grandmother's leaning = post since my grandpa isn't really doing any better. I went over there = today, and he couldn't get out of bed, and he had numerous cuts on his = arms from falling in the bathroom. So...I go with her to the store and = any other errands she needs to get done that she couldn't do by herself.

But anyway, sorry for the OT, my question is this, I need an idea of a = material that can be braided, strung, and will stand up to water fairly = well. (i.e. shower) I'd prefer it to be "synthetic natural" that is, = something like rafia or hemp that won't rot over time with continual = wear and tear and exposure to water or sweat, etc.

Any ideas? I've searched the 'net for synthetic rafia, and similar = materials, but am coming up dry. I guess if I wanted to be really = creative, I could hunt down a palm frond, strip it, dry it, then coat = it, but that probably wouldn't work.

TIA- Rachel

Reply to
Christina Peterson

Interesting site! Thanks for the link Ilene!

Rachel

Reply to
Rachel T.

Hey Tina!

Well, grandma called like 15 minutes after I posted last night to tell = me that grandpa was on the way to the hospital and he had been talking = to God. Went to see him today, he looks bad, but still putting up a = fight. (literally, he put up one fist and tried to punch me playfully, = lol)

Anyhoo...something about the size of hemp. I have some waxed linen cord, = but somebody made the comment that it shoudn't be worn in the shower. = (can't remember who)

I'm the type that if I have a necklace I like, I don't want to have to = take it off all the time.=20

Thanks for the suggestions. I have some ideas to search the net for now!

Rachel

Reply to
Rachel T.

Waxed linen cord is my all time favorite stringing material, for ease of stringing, and for micro macrame, but it does stretch easily. Especially if it gets wet repeatedly. Hemp, however, gets better with age..the more you use it, wear it, wash it (yes, you shold wash your hemp, in mild shampoo and use conditioner!) the softer it gets, without losing it's durability.

Hope that helps! :)

~Candace~ your local hemp goddess :)

Reply to
Candace

Thanks Candace! I did know about the hemp. Made a few necklaces from it. If you can stand it long enough to get past the itchy part, then it's smooth sailing. But I didn't know about the shampoo and conditioner part. Imagine-instead of the standard "I have to wash my hair" excuse, I could just say "I have to wash my hemp."!

Now the waxed linen cord...I could try that. Maybe I'll just dampen it and stretch it a few times as a test run to see how it holds up.

Rachel

Reply to
Rachel T.

No problem, Rachel:) I was just pleasantly surprised to even see a question with hemp in the topic somewhere!

~Candace~ your local hemp goddess :)

Reply to
Candace

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