to glue or not to glue?

[Narcissa]

Just used Beader's Secret for the first time, with new-to-me 2 strand knotting (big thank you to Marianne for showing me the different clasp attachment this requires at the beginning of the strand). Back-knotted 3, used a drop of superglue -OOPS- way too much, made a glob, cut it apart and started over, feeling lucky to have not plugged up a pearl with glue.
Having had 2 strands of mine fall apart at the end knot recently (one I found outside in the grass, not even realizing it was missing) I am all for a little more security. I'm following with interest to hear if back-knotting 3 will be enough with Beader's Secret, or if my no-such-thing-as-too-much-cheese approach to glue needs to go on a crash diet. I have 2 strands at the moment, knotted & finished but with the threads still flailing wildly out waiting for the answer, or the courage, to glue, or trim without glue.

 

[Katbran]

I find the GS Hypo Cement to be really useful...it has this tiny needle nose and it's very hard to 'over do it' . The downside..is that it has this tiny needle nose and you have to fit the even tinier needle plug back into the nozzle. lol But then I do the glue stage using my head piece magnifiers and that's the only way I can get the little needle plug back into the nozzle. But it's a softer glue than superglue. I find superglue to be too stiff and if it's too stiff it can create a weak area as the thread works against the glue hardened knot.

 

[LLoydsJewelry]

One technique with glue is to make a needle awl. Insert a very low diameter sewing needle into the eraser end of a pencil. Use the barrel of the needle instead of the point to remove excess glue from the pearl after gluing. It can also be used to smooth the cut thread end into the glue on the knot. I use GS cement on last knot of three.

 

[Katbran]

Good idea !

 

[jmd]

A little late to the game on this one, but think I've found a good approach using Beaders Secret. I had sent a note to Pattye asking about her technique since I noticed that with glue the Beaders Secret cut fibers seemed to swell. While Hypo hardened them for neat cutting, there was still a bit of fuzz near a trimmed note. Pattye recommended pulling through another pearl and then cutting as flush as possible to allow the thread to recede into the hole, then using a drop of glue. That worked pretty well and if you use enough pressure you contain the ends inside the hole. So far I haven't seen any dislodge with this method. More recently I used a thread zapper with this method-and since it's polyester, Beaders Secret melts away beautifully eliminating any possibly of that fuzzy end that glue creates. If I use glue at all now, it's a tiny dab on the knot before the last pearl and the thread going into the last hole. But for a regular size strand versus something heavy and baroque, I'm going clueless and back tying four pearls. Pattye sells some amazing smooth 5" needles, and with Beaders Secret they make back tying at start and finish a flash and the quality of finishing highly professional. I'd never go back to single thread twisted silk.

 

[jmd]

There are specific scissors/cutters for PowerPro. They are scored or hatched on the blade. I bought mine online, but understand sporting good stores sell them for cutting fishing line.

 

[pattye]

JMD,

Thanks for sharing all your great tips about using glue in conjunction with Beader's Secret thread! Never too late to add info here; peeps refer back to the Lowly Beaders topics all the time. I just noticed one question about double knotting was started in 2006! The best part is that we do learn from each other. (Still on the hunt for my thread zapper~)

I'm determined to get my glueless pearl bracelet knotted over this long weekend and photo posted. Sunseeker, how are you doing with your challenge piece? Anyone else want to join in?

I have a Cabela's store opening just a few miles from me very soon, and looking forward to seeing what all items I can adapt for knotting and storage.

 

[CathyKeshi]

Oh, great reminder Pattye ... I pass a Cabela's store nearly every week. Storage of any small parts ... fishing tackle boxes work wonders; all those little compartments, and portable too. Still remember the look on husband's face a few years ago when he found out the 2 big brand new tackle boxes were NOT for him LOL. Yes, we went back and got him some for his birthday too Think a stop at Cabela's today is in order for a small new box for Beader's Secret thread and supplies!

 

[pattye]

Cathy, Its been said not only are storage products are less expensive than at craft stores, some have an anti-tarnish feature built in! Looking forward to checking out the tackle boxes!

 

[CathyKeshi]

Pattye, I hadn't heard about the anti-tarnish feature, but it makes sense, especially in salt water fishing environments ... I should have looked last weekend in Maryland. We didn't stop at Cabelas last night, but Tuesday on the way home ...

 

[Katbran]

So...just a question out of interest. There are a couple of ways to use two threads in knotting :

1. String the pearls all onto the thread, using about 1/3 the total length, attach the clasp as normal and then start back through the pearls with the other end of the thread and start knotting back through the pearls by knotting onto the strand holding the pearls.

2. Put the three pearls onto the doubled thread add the clasp and work back through those three, knotting two strands over the existing double strand until you pass the third pearl and then start to add pearls onto that doubled thread and knot using the two threads.

Obviously these are basic descriptions just to set the two styles apart and not to instruct !

I use the second method...but in watching a video of the first I have to say it looks pretty darn easy...the knots must be much smaller as it's only a single thread wrapping around a single thread.
Does anyone use the #1 method ? On everything or just tiny pearls? And is this basically how you do the two needle method?

Just curious