[Nerida]

Hi everyone - just thought I would post some pics of the lovely strand of FW bead nucleated pearls that I bought from Druzy Design as an unstrung strand. I have used 22K vermeil beads and findings (thanks Sheri!) - I loved the pearls before, but now they are just gorgeous!! Still might take it apart and do it again - not entirely sure I am happy with the crimps - notice I haven't given you any closeup shots of the business end of the piece yet!

Thanks all for the encouragement - I didn't even think I would get the "bug" to do this - I thought I just loved pearls!!

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Nerida

[la_corsetiere]

Beautiful, Nerida!!!

Sheri

[pattye]

Great necklace! Nobody will check out the "business end" when there are gorgeous pearls like that to admire! You did a great job of choosing complimentary spacer beads and clasp.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[knotty panda]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Still might take it apart and do it again

Nerida

Sorry to burst your bubble, but those are the magic words. Once you even CONSIDER taking something apart and redoing it, you are sunk. You'll never be anything other than one of us lowly beaders ever again. BTW, great job! Those vermeils are nice, aren't they!

[Sueki]

That is so, so lovely Nerida.

[Nerida]

Thankyou everyone for your kind comments. Sheri - I love the vermeil findings and beads etc. I think particularly for the type of surface that these pearls have, it complements very well. I originally put an s clasp on this piece, but it was just too long and didn't sit flat, so I did it again.

I am trying to make some earrings to match - again on vermeil findings. Now my inexperience shows!! I didn't check the "pair" of pearls I selected to ensure that the head pin would go through each of them - first one is great, second one I just can't get the head pin (which is very fine - can't remember what grade) through! What do I do?? I have offset the pearl with a smaller druzy (rosebud?) pearl - looks gorgeous. I did think I could use the one that I have as an enhancer instead, but that would require taking out the centre spacer, which would change the way the necklace looks when worn alone... Such angst!

Knotty - thanks for the laugh - you are probably (certainly?) right - you ladies have definitely changed my thoughts on where I am going with my pearl obsession!

[GemGeek]

Nerida, the pearls are really lovely and you did a great job. Perfectionism has driven many of us to re-do until perfect!

[jerin]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Thankyou everyone for your kind comments. Sheri - I love the vermeil findings and beads etc. I think particularly for the type of surface that these pearls have, it complements very well. I originally put an s clasp on this piece, but it was just too long and didn't sit flat, so I did it again.

I am trying to make some earrings to match - again on vermeil findings. Now my inexperience shows!! I didn't check the "pair" of pearls I selected to ensure that the head pin would go through each of them - first one is great, second one I just can't get the head pin (which is very fine - can't remember what grade) through! What do I do?? I have offset the pearl with a smaller druzy (rosebud?) pearl - looks gorgeous. I did think I could use the one that I have as an enhancer instead, but that would require taking out the centre spacer, which would change the way the necklace looks when worn alone... Such angst!

Knotty - thanks for the laugh - you are probably (certainly?) right - you ladies have definitely changed my thoughts on where I am going with my pearl obsession!

One possibility would be to order new head pins with a higher gauge (24) should be thin enough to get it through

possibility 2: a dremel so you can make the hole larger

possibility 3: go to a jeweller who has equipment to drill...

[Nerida]

Thanks again Inge. I tried with a reamer (?) but I felt it was going to make the hole huge. Ordering findings is an online thing for me, so there is a significant delay factor, but I am friendly with my local jeweller who may be able to help... hadn't thought about that.

[la_corsetiere]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Thanks again Inge. I tried with a reamer (?) but I felt it was going to make the hole huge. Ordering findings is an online thing for me, so there is a significant delay factor, but I am friendly with my local jeweller who may be able to help... hadn't thought about that.

If you go slowly and gently with the reamer, from first one side of the hole, then the other, you might be able to enlarge the hole enough to fit the headpin through. Another possibility, if the headpin does go in part way, is to take a smaller piece of wire and stick it through the hole and go back and forth a bit. Sometimes there's just a little burr inside the hole that can get in the way.

Good luck!

Sheri

[JWei]

Originally Posted by jerin

One possibility would be to order new head pins with a higher gauge (24) should be thin enough to get it through

possibility 2: a dremel so you can make the hole larger

possibility 3: go to a jeweller who has equipment to drill...

possibility 4: go to dentist to ask for help.

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by JWei

possibility 4: go to dentist to ask for help.

Now there's a great idea! I'm not sure it would be worth hearing the sound, though!

[Nerida]

Okay, so the reamer has worked to get through this pearl, but I still haven't gotten back to finishing the earrings.

However, I have managed to KNOT my first strand ever!! I used Griffin silk, size 3. I'm not sure if this product is good bad or indifferent. I have also bought some Powerpro, but wanted to try silk first. Anyway, any comments, hints, suggestions to "go back to my day job" etc. all happily received. The pearls are some WILD, HUGE, OUTRAGEOUS, STUNNING, IRRIDESCENT, keishis from you know where - expensive but oh so lovely.






By the way, can I join the beaders' lament in why are not drill holes created equal? These were fairly difficult! Also, perhaps should have chosen round, symmetrical pearls with no up or down side, right or wrong direction etc. to start practising on!

I am fairly happy with the knots as a first attempt, but still not so happy with the clasp attachment. I followed Caitlin's very practical tutorial, but obviously just need more practice!

[la_corsetiere]

[By the way, can I join the beaders' lament in why are not drill holes created equal? These were fairly difficult! Also, perhaps should have chosen round, symmetrical pearls with no up or down side, right or wrong direction etc. to start practising on!

I am fairly happy with the knots as a first attempt, but still not so happy with the clasp attachment. I followed Caitlin's very practical tutorial, but obviously just need more practice![/quote]


Nerida, you did a wonderful job! Congratulations on joining the club

Sheri

[Caitlin]

Hi Nerida
That turned out great.

Actually with the two gold beads, you should be able to double back and knot behind each of those. Then no problems with having to enlarge holes. I have had one back knot come undone, but never two knots.

I don't use a drop of glue or good clear nail polish(which Bernadette says is much better than glue), though if you use one of those, you probably wouldn't have to go back through two beads.