[Hanaleimom]

Hi Caitlin,
I will go find a beginner's beading book to start. Your advice encourages me to try. Hemming skirt is so easy. If I can make my daughter's 1st Communion dress, I am sure I can learn to string pearls.
Is there any book you can recommend? Sorry for the digression.

[Caitlin]

I am looking. Actually Henrietta Virchek teaches pearl stringing with one thread- which I would never recommend, so use her two thread methods.
The trick is in starting and finishing-attaching the clasp.

The actual knotting is overhand knots- the ones you already know how to make. As long as you use a double thread, it will be easy to seat the knot by pulling the threads apart.

I am going to start a "Attaching Clasps" thread. There are several methods, though I favor one.

I just checked out a bunch of websites. About.com has a page called "knotting for cheaters" that each as the two thread method. That is ridiculous, just because using two threads is so fast and accurate compared to pushing a knot with an awl or tweezers on a single thread,(not to mention those confounded gadgets that cost $65 including the video you need to learn how to use it!) it is not cheating. It is the best way to knot because it is guaranteed to seat the knots properly without fail.

[pattye]

Hi Caitlin and All,

I'm wondering if this thread should go under "pearl care and cleaning so it won't get lost--there is so much good info here!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

Done......

[pattye]

AHHH, Caitlin,

You do magic!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[jerin]

Originally Posted by Hanaleimom

But that doesn't stop the thieves from taking the whole box. I am trying to find the best solution too. I have a safe, but it's not good for pearls due to lack of air & humidity. Leaving it in the jewelry box doesn't stop thieves from removing it. The silk pouch is a nice idea but I can't see through the pouch to figure out what's inside at a glance. Does organza work? I am thinking of sewing a few pouches in organza because it's see through. However, organza is stiff, not soft like silk.

She has a point there

[jerin]

I am looking. Actually Henrietta Virchek teaches pearl stringing with one thread- which I would never recommend, and Ruth Poris is a little beater, but teaches other methods that are inferior.

Caitlin,
actually she teaches how to knot with two threads, not only one.
Remember, I learned with the help of her book stringing and she teaches also about clasps, gimp (french bullion) or crimps and beadends and so on...

[Reiah]

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

I hang all my pearls up on pegs. When something stretches I restring it with Power Pro, which does not stretch.

If you are a pearl freak- really consider learning how to restring pearls.

Caitlin,
What a great suggestion! I will learn how to string my pearls, and eventually, maybe making my own earrings. I'll check if my local beading store has classes and materials. If no classes, I am sure I can learn through books or online websites/videos. I pretty much learned how to knit/crochet through books.

If you put your pearls on pegs, are you concerned about security? Someone coming in and taking your pearls?
thanks,
Reiah

[Caitlin]

actually she teaches how to knot with two threads, not only one.

Actually, you are correct. I recommmend Henrietta's book. She has several methods, one of which should suit you.


For those who want other how to books, they are listed in the Pearl Books and Resources- I think.

[WeeGem]

Originally Posted by Sueki

For all those in the U.K., Ryman have a great 5 drawer chest. It's covered with faux leather and the drawers are lined with velour. I just bought one yesterday to store my unfinshed strands in. It's perfect for the purpose, in my opinion.
PG - I wear multiple strands a lot and haven't noticed any ill effects. And I love to hear the pearls clinking together.
And here's how I keep my own pearl jewellery.

Sueki, just got my Ryman's chest today - it's perfect!! LOADS of space! I even bought a second one for other jewelry. Great suggestion, thanks

[Caitlin]

If you put your pearls on pegs, are you concerned about security? Someone coming in and taking your pearls?

I live out in a rural area with a Chihuahua guard dog. He notifies me when anyone comes in the gate.

I like looking at the pearls. The ones I make for sale or giveaways are hung in my workspace-there's a pic of it somewhere here, and the ones I wear hang in the bathroom for easy choosing. The climate is extremely dry here, so I like to let the cooler blow on them in the summer. The kind of cooler we have (swamp box) adds moisture to the air- it doesn't take it away like AC does.

[Caitlin]

Originally Posted by PGDesign

Little silk pouches are a really practical option but having tried it, I'm worried about the pearls scratching each other - they knock together as you remove them/replace them in the pouch and I'm concerned all that rubbing around will eventually dull them. I've mostly gone back to their original boxes so that the pearls aren't touching each other.

For similar reasons I've developed an aversion to wearing multiple strands of pearls (despite some necklaces being bought for specifically that purpose). I cringe as I can hear them clicking around against each other as I move about. Am I being silly?

PG design
Sorry I did not notice this post before. Don't worry about pearls clinking (or clanking or klonking) together. It sounds great and does not harm them.

Doug at Cortez pearls has a pearl he has been banging hard on a tabletop for years to show customers banging them is ok. And don't forget Sarah of Kojima and Pacific pearls has that Tahitian rope with a large tahitian pearl bangle on it. She wraps it many times around her wrist and the bangle pearl bangs several times a day. (I have seen this myself) She says she has worn this bracelet for 7 years, with no ill effects on any of the pearls. And Sarah is a top notch pro.

[laurenb]

I love pearl folders.

I live in a very hot climate and despite my best efforts to keep cool when I'm wearing pearls, I find I need to bathe them in Hagerty's or baby shampoo once a week. The open folder provides a nice nest for drying.

These crimson pearl folders are gorgeous and I suspect the synthetic fabric is very colorfast... red is very colorfast in general, as any clutzy wine or kool-aid drinker knows, but it's so bright that I can't help but worry about color transfer. What do you all think?

[Sueki]

Hi WeeGem,
Glad you managed to get one and even more glad that you like it - great, isn't it ?

[pattye]

In my experience I haven't found red fabrics to be particularly colorfast, my choice would be a light color for the folder, especially if putting damp pearls on them. They are gorgeous folders in the red!