Thread/string advice needed

[Sarahorsomeone]

I've started working on the bracelet now (using Caitlin's method) and am about halfway through, but I've already had to start over once, so fingers crossed this attempt will continue smoothly! I'm quite pleased with my knots this time at least. I'll post pictures when I'm finished.

[Marianne]

Practice makes perfect! We look forward to your photos

[Caitlin]

I do too! Congratulations on giving it try! A bracelet is a good idea!

[Katbran]

I look back on my earlier knotting projects and get so annoyed I want to redo them...had lunch at a friends yesterday and kept seeing the flaws in the knotting in the long necklace I'd made for her quite some time ago. ugh ! But as the others have said, practice does in fact make perfect. The more you do, the better your get. Can't wait to see your photos!

[Sarahorsomeone]

Ta da! All finished. The knots are fairly hard to see, but they're big enough to do the job and stop the pearls rubbing while keeping the bracelet flexible. Thanks for the help .

[pearlescence]

that's really pretty. well done

[pattye]

Sarahorsomeone,

That's adorable, and your photography is terrific! The knotting looks great too. I'm also impressed that you made the pearl berries. Were the berries difficult and time consuming to make? What a silly question! I just checked your art gallery you linked to earlier. You posted that the berries were made with 1x2mm cfwp, and finished at 8-9mm!

[Caitlin]

Very nice work!!! Perfect. And what a creative idea! Thanks for sharing!

[Sarahorsomeone]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone.

Pattye, the berries/clusters aren't too difficult when you've got the hang of it (I'd already got used to the technique making clusters for pendants out of 4mm beads); but they are fairly time-consuming when you've got multiples to make. I'd say they took me about 30-40 minutes each but would take less time if I wasn't so picky about threading the loose ends back through the pearls when it's done and knotting multiple times in different places (so there's no way the cluster will come apart).

There's quite a lot of good tutorials on Youtube; although most use crystals or fake pearls (the regularity of which makes it slightly easier). I used this one when I was learning how to do it: http://mydailybead.blogspot.co.uk/20...bead-ball.html

You can also buy them ready made but I've never seen them smaller than about 11 or 12 mm.

[Marianne]

Beautiful work Sarah! Thanks for sharing with us

[Lulu]

That is absolutely beautiful! I love the contrast in textures. Thank you so much for sharing!

[Katbran]

That's really cute! Very effective use of the bead clusters! Well done!

[Amanda]

how lovely! you are very clever and creative.

[Ramona]

I have just made a 45 inch spinel/pearl rope using doubled Power Pro (10lbs). But the necklace is quite stiff and does not fall nicely. Will Power Pro get more like silk with wearing? I am now thinking of shortening the necklace and use silk instead. Or is there a softer thread that still bears weight that I could use. Would prefer a black one.

[Pearl Dreams]

You must have made very tight knots indeed! Wear it and see if the knots loosen a bit with wear. I haven't had problems with the drape of my PowerPro necklaces.