[pearl-man]

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

Maybe we should have a contest to see who is the knottiest. Talk is cheap. I want to see a race.

Easy to knot but 60-80 knots quickly but all done the same and finished off neatly is another matter.

PD

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by pearl-man

Easy to knot but 60-80 knots quickly but all done the same and finished off neatly is another matter.

PD

So when we organize this contest we will have to judge speed and quality? I think what pearl man is saying is. "Sure your fast, But are you good?" Man if that isn't a challange I don't know what one is. I don't know if I'd stand for it.

Keep in mind that my knotting skills would likely leave me dead on the floor strangled in my own thread. But I don't have to be a boxer to enjoy a good fight.

In the immortal words of Mills Lane "Lets get it on"

[knotty panda]

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

I do apologize Panda. You are truly knotty.

You are totally forgiven!

[pearl-man]

Originally Posted by purepearls

I agree with Jeremy. If you can find an experienced stringer in your area, ask them if they would be willing to teach you how to string. You will save money and the one-on-one guidance is also a huge plus.

I agree also...unfortunatley stringing provides some extra income and they may not want to loose a customer....
First thing to master is knotting. When I or my Mother would teach she have them knot all day, with breaks, and once mastered or gotten the hang of tieing off etc was just skills added to the [sp] reptoir. The handiest skill is to repair a half knotted strand, which sometimes will break for all kind of reasons, and continue on with out starting over.

PM
N

[knotty panda]

Originally Posted by pearl-man

The handiest skill is to repair a half knotted strand, which sometimes will break for all kind of reasons, and continue on with out starting over.

Here comes another of my infamous stupid questions. Why would you want to do a "lick and a promise" repair? Is time the determining factor? How much time do you save? Ten miuntes? A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and that sort of repair sounds as though it sacrifices quality.

[flycatcher]

Knotty,

I can see use for it. When I was restringing a set of pearls for my wife about an hour before she was to wear them the string broke with about 6-10 pearls left to knot. I had to quickly start all over and was literally knotting them up while she drove us to the event. I had to finish them up at the table while we sat. Since I did not have time to properly prepare the silk I ended up restringing them yet again (using powerpro). Being able to do this kind of repair job might have saved me a lot of work. I would love to know how that is done. It sounds like a good, last minute, make them wearable again repair job. I would consider it temporary but at least they can be worn for a while.

--Stephen

[knotty panda]

And I think you hit on the right word, Fly, temporary. I don't know any stringers who sell repaired stands in that fashion. Its nice that your wife has her own, resident, stringer available on short notice for any occasion. But my point is, if they have enough time to get the strand to me, they certainly have enough time to wait the extra few minutes it takes to do a proper job.

Actually, I think your example is the exception rather than rule. Most people put restringing on the back burner and the strand sits broken for months. Then, when the holidays come around, they remember.

[flycatcher]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

And I think you hit on the right word, Fly, temporary. I don't know any stringers who sell repaired stands in that fashion.

I hope they would not sell such a strand but these days you never really know unless you know the stringer and their work really well.

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Actually, I think your example is the exception rather than rule. Most people put restringing on the back burner and the strand sits broken for months. Then, when the holidays come around, they remember.

Uuummmm... guilty as charged. Only for me it was the approaching of her birthday and I did not know what to get her. I decided to have her pearls restrung and then decided to try it myself.
That's how I wound up here.

I still want to know how to do that quick repair job though. Does anybody know where I can find out? I know that several people have recommended to others a couple of different books but I have to confess that I have been lazy and have not bought any of them. If such techniques are described in them then perhaps I should just RTFM (Read The Friendly Manual).

--Stephen

[knotty panda]

I've never seen it described and while I wouldn't use it on a full strand, it might have other applications, if someone does know how to do it.

A birthday is a holiday. Ambitious little cuss, aren't you! No hooks involved. I wonder how a strand of pearls decorated with those little feather fishing thingys would look. Hmmmmm, new design challenge!

[Nerida]

Flycatcher, I think that's the nicest thing to do for your wife for her birthday. Trust it was appreciated! And I'm glad you redid it properly again afterwards.

I had a long rope of very inexpensive pearls that I had bought and sold as a finished product. Probably cost me about $20, but sadly they broke after a few wears (another reason why I don't buy much finished jewellery now, but string my own), and I had to restring the whole rope for my customer.... not exactly very profitable from a time perspective at all, but I couldn't bring myself to try to do a repair job only...

[Caitlin]

I thought that technique sounded a lot like splicing which is often used to finish a rope with no clasp.

I think knotty posted the link, but I don't remember where it is.

[knotty panda]

Is this what you are referring to? http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9555/knottedloop.htm

[Caitlin]

Thanks. Indeed it is.....

[Caitlin]

Hi
Those are ball and socket clasps. No magnet. Though Bella's Findings carries a magnetic clasp that slides open like a some of those new cell phones or a drawer. They are easy to use- I can do my own bracelet, but they are only available in SS too
Ball and socket style locking clasp 20x6mm

LINK It looks like a little trailer ball hitch; just insert and snap it locked. Easy to use, hard to lose.
Details

SKU 52200202
Weight 0.01 lbs
Price: $5.90

[pearl-man]

Originally Posted by Caitlin

I thought that technique sounded a lot like splicing which is often used to finish a rope with no clasp.

I think knotty posted the link, but I don't remember where it is.

Caitlin;
You are pretty close. I am impressed with your stringing insite. I am finishing a 21" 17mm
so sea ( get this) with 4 pairs of mystery clasps. Thats 8 holes up to 2.3mm wide and 4mm deep all drilled with 4 or 5 successive larger drills....Thanks for letting me vent.
Splicing can only be done if the necklace is knotted and the thread broken off then trimmed is fit inside the hole. a
knot is put on the remaining side and balance thru" the hole and finish knotted. This is like trying to describe a circular staircase without using your hands. Only temporary but amazing strong.