[Caitlin]

Hi Danachit
I like gimp. It gives a nice finish to any necklace. I use sterling except when i have to use the gold plated. If you gently pull it tight, it generally doesn't fray or burr. I have seen some that do, but most I have seen the gimp is not the reason for the restring.

As for the GIA pearl stringing course---Jeremy is the one who said "Don't take it!" Besides I think they teach the "one thread" method, which is really hard to get the knots seated correctly......

Down this LINK are some tiny niobium coil findings that are never called 'gimp' but seem to fit the specs. Has anyone tried them as gimp? Just remembered of those and this thread browsing for wearable earwire.

[knotty panda]

Just from the picture, it looks awfully stiff for gimp. And the coil that fits 12 ga. wire? Waba! Wish the colors were more visible.

[Cathybear]

The gimp I use is made in Switzerland, Griffin and A & F. I get it from House of Jewellery in Sydney. They tell me it's the best (though they said that about Griffin silk, and I much prefer Guderbrod, though of course I can't get that in Australia, so I buy in bulk from the US). I tried (much cheaper) Beadalon gimp, and think its rubbish. Whatever Griffin and A & F are they feel totally different.. much heavier. I'm working towards buying a bulk lot from Firemountain (have to get lots to make the postage worthwhile)

[knotty panda]

Griffin and Beadalon are the same thing. I never heard of A&F. Does anyone have a Rio Grande catalog? That's why I've never ordered from them. I have to pay for the catalog then, what if I don't buy anything ever?

[Cathybear]

There must be different qualities then. The lot I got labelled Beadalon was flimsy and light, the unlabelled boxes they said are Griffin have a much heavier and more 'liquid' feel (and cost 3 times as much as the beadalon)

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Just from the picture, it looks awfully stiff for gimp.

Now that you mentioned, it does!

How does one resist the urge of beading along?

[knotty panda]

Ok, I'm laughing! Baaaaaaaaaaaad! LOL

[Cathybear]

Originally Posted by Cathybear

I tried (much cheaper) Beadalon gimp, and think its rubbish. Whatever Griffin and A & F are they feel totally different.. much heavier. I'm working towards buying a bulk lot from Firemountain (have to get lots to make the postage worthwhile)

Oops sorry I'm wrong, I just stumbled accross the gimp I don't like, it's Beadsmith not Beadalon (the needles Caitlin reccomended are Beadalon... I got some of those and they're great!)