Bead stringing thread that won't drive me crazy.

[rpfeikgraphics]

Everything I try breaks, or the knots slip, or is too heavy or the thread frays on the ends while working. What should I use?

[Former_Member]

coat your thread w/ beeswax- it will help make it a little stronger and prevent frays. another trick, use a dab of clear nail polish over your knots so they wont slip.

[rpfeikgraphics]

What variety of thread should I use for starters?

[BirdMadeThis]

what project are you working on? What size/type of beads and what needle are you using?

[TheDangleDiva]

I use Fireline thread (original use was for fishing line). You can buy it much cheaper at Dick's Sporting Goods - or any other outdoor shop - than at a bead store.

[BirdMadeThis]

without knowing what you're trying to do, it's hard to recommend. BUT! Nymo size D thread is a good basic type and size for most seed bead projects. Be sure to wax it with beeswax or thread heaven before you use it (one pass through the wax will do). After knotting (knot several times, look up how to "zig zag" your knots through your work if you're off or on-loom weaving), you can put a tiny drop of clear nail polish on it to secure.

Fireline is good, doesn't need wax, but creates quite a bit stiffer finished product. You have to make sure the knots are pulled tight using it.

With needles, I like "sharps" in size 12 for most things.

[rpfeikgraphics]

I'm making bead "groups" for necklaces. 5 or 6 beads, strung between and knotted to jump rings, that are then to be chained together. Like little, short bead strands.

[Former_Member]

If you are using crystals, Fireline is great because the crystals won't break it. I've tried them all and usually used Nymo or Fireline.

[Former_Member]

What pound test of Fireline are you using? When I weave beaded beads I like to use the 8lb Fireline with a surgeon's knot woven back through then tried off a again in a double overhand then cut the excess off using a thread burner.

When I'm wrapping beads around a free floating piece of metal I prefer to use 22 - 28 gauge wire that's anchored to the metal base. I'll use whichever wire the easily fits through the type of beads I'm using for the number of passes I need to make.

For threading and braiding beaded strands either together or through links, chains, or jumprings I'll usually crimp 49 strand 0.012" Accu-flex to the first segment, bead what I need to bead & thread through then finish with a crimp at the end of that pattern. For beads that will put more than 9lbs of pull on a design I'll go up on the diameter of the wire, but I've never needed anything heavier than the 49 strand 0.019" and that was used on a piece that incorporated 25mm semi-precious puffed coin beads & 8mm Swarovski crystals threaded through between 20mm x 14mm oval hammered link chain with the coin beads done as drops below the chain.

[BirdMadeThis]

I'm making bead "groups" for necklaces. 5 or 6 beads, strung between and knotted to jump rings, that are then to be chained together. Like little, short bead strands.

----

Are they seed beads or larger than that?

You might want to try them on flexible beading wire using crimps on the end, or even linking it all together with wire. Ala http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.78031140.jpg but with more beads per link. Maybe?

[rpfeikgraphics]

I'm going to try the Fireline, I'm getting some tomorrow, so I'll see what happens. I'm using polymer 8-10-12mm beads, BTW. I'd like to avoid using the all-wire-links method, just because I don't want to make my pieces with that look or style.

[rpfeikgraphics]

Here's a sample, but the stringing part isn't either clean enough or strong enough.

http://i56.tinypic.com/106ai69.jpg

[BirdMadeThis]

I'd try using soldered rings and thin flexible beading wire with crimp beads and crimp covers if the thread/fireline is still frustrating. I like the idea!

[Former_Member]

Fireline will not be strong enough to support those beads, neither will Silamide, Dandyline, Nymo, fishing line, silk, or plain nylon be able to handle the weight of that sized beads. Threads like those are meant to be used in weaving where there will be multiple passes of the thread through each bead, or when doing straight stringing through small holed beads or where you need to try knots between each bead. Kevlar thread might be strong enough but it's not all that pretty to look at and knotting weakens the thread so you would need to fuse or adhere the end on to the middle to make it loop over the jumpring.

Looking at that picture I would suggest that you use nylon coated beading wire, like Accu-Flex, SoftFlex, or Beadalon stringing wire. Avoid tiger tail and plain beading wire there's not enough consistency during the production of the wire for it to have a good tensile strength. Get at least 19 strand wire so the drape is flexible enough under the beads, with a thickness of at least 0.018" to handle the bead weight. A crimp will be needed to secure the wire around the jumpring trying is not usually advised for nylon beading wire. Crimps are not always pretty, but you can get some very decorative crimp covers to hide them. Try using a wire guide or french bullion around the wire as it goes around the jumpring for a more finished look.

[Former_Member]

I agree with jewelrydesigns. Stay clear of any fishing line type of wire. I use only 19 strand wire. It is not only strong, but supple and won't kink.

[Former_Member]

It depends on what it is you are stringing, that is, how heavy are the beads, sharpness of the bead hole, size of the bead hole.

For example, sometimes strings break when the thread is pulled too tightly when using Swarovski crystals. The sharp edges of the crystals cut through the thread.

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Can anyone refer me to any good websites, tutorials, resources, etc. to teach onself to make seed bead pendants? I would like to learn the basics to eventually be able to create things like these:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75127275/beautiful-bead-embroidered-ibis-pendant
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81668652/pearl-pendant-beaded-necklace

My current level is understanding flat and circular peyote and daisy chains, and given a nice diagram, I can comprehend easily (very visual-spacial). Yet, I am still missing some very basic basics, like how to start and end your thread when doing beadweaving / beadstitching.

Any and all advice greatly appreciated! Would love a convo if you have time.

Thanks!!

C

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone! This is my first time here, I just joined, but I would like to address withlovefrommontana's questions.

You can find many tutorials for those tpyes of designs on Fire Mountain Gems, FusionBeads, Artbeads, and many other bead sales websites.

Also, two other huge places to look are at About.com, under jewelry making/beading, and YouTube. The ones on About.com are written with pictures, but YouTube are all videos.

One more place I just found is on Facebook, at the Jewelry Making Club. I was just browing there, and went to see what they had in their Discussion section, and people were asking questions and getting very good responses.

I hope this helps! Please, if I have overstepped my bounds, please forgive me and fill me in on my mistakes.

Verna M. Smith, aka Hisdesignjewelry on esty.

[Former_Member]

Thank you! I have seen the artbeads and about tutorials, but I forgot to look at firemountain and have not heard of fusion. Thanks!

This is a lovely response, the best one so far, so don't be shy!

[Former_Member]

I'm so old fashion I still use 30 pound test fishing line. Durable and the knots won't pull, the line stays flexible.

[CarolBradley]

withlovefrommontana - I recommend this tutorial for you: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80559819/beading-tutorial-captured-coin-pendant