Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro

Pattye to the rescue again ... I need to get some of that tape :)
 
Wow this is an AMAZING thread! So informative, thank you Pearl Dreams!

Pattye, perhaps you can consider adding a "starter kit" sort of item in your Etsy store? I'm only a hobbyist/consumer, but interested in giving pearl re-stringing a try. I have some basic tools but not the more pearl-specific findings. If you offer a pearling starter-kit to include french wires/gimp, wire needles, a few selected colors of Beaders Secret, etc, that may be a big help for hobbyists/starters. Otherwise we'd have to buy 5 different things from 5 different websites!

Paula :)
 
Thank you , Paula!

Pattye actually does sell beading needles and gimp in various colors in addition to the silky Serafil polyester thread.

There are many vendors who sell clasps-- and many kinds of clasps. See Bellafindings.com, Artbeads.com, RioGrande etc.

Another source of beading materials is Firemountaingems.com if you want to get your things all from one source.

By the way, Pattye-- I finally restrung my Tahitians yesterday with your Night (dark blue) thread-- I like the result a lot. Have to take photos...will edit to add pics. :)
 
Last edited:
Okay, here they are restrung with Night colored Serafil thread from Pattye. I love this color.
Hmm, you can't really see it so clearly, but it is not black.
(link to Pattye's photo to show the color: https://www.etsy.com/listing/164859623/night-silk-like-beaders-secret-knotting?ref=market)

Tahitians restrung on Night Beaders Secret.jpg
Tahitians with Night Beaders Secret.jpg
 
Another idea for finger saving is called finger tips. These short rubber tips come up short of your middle knuckle. They were used by bank employees to count money. On amazon by swingline. I use them on my 3rd finger of each hand.

Lloyd
Gemologist GIA certified
 
Pearl Dreams, Gorgeous pearls for sure!! I love NIGHT also, and have used it on several custom Tahitian necklaces with blues, was pleased with the result as were the owners.

And thank you, PD, for your reply to Paula. I gardened for most of yesterday and was soooo tired last night I couldn't reply, went to bed at 9pm, most unusual for me.

So Paula, thank you for your suggestion of a starter kit. I have thought of putting something together, and have been observant of what first time buyers choose, to see if there is a pattern. Unfortunately, there isn't any real consistency. So I've kept shipping really low, to just cover, and prices reasonable (hopefully), offering what might have special appeal to pearl knotters in particular.
 
Beautiful PD! I am amazed by all the colors in your strand! I almost ordered night too and took it out at the last minute. Darn! It is a mysterious color and looks great on your strand!

Pattye, I think it might be nice to have a starter kit too. I only ordered odd things because I wasn't sure what I needed. You were a huge help there with the thread, gimp and needles.
 
Very lovely Pearl Dreams ... Night is perfect!

Perennial Thanks! to Pattye for making it so easy and affordable to get started knotting pearls !!!
 
JMO but I think it is better to buy the items à la carte. In any kit people will inevitably end up buying some items they don't need or want.

I do think it's great that all the essentials are available in one shop, though.
 
Last edited:
Well, you could certainly make up a few new starter kits, maybe with printed instructions? (Although the instructions on this site are FANTASTIC) Or alternatively, you could do a menu approach: select three colors, one gimp color, and one style of needle? I will say that I did not feel I needed any sort of starter kit...pattye was very helpful in answering all my questions on what I would need to get started. And just let me reiterate how WONDERFUL she was to deal with!!!
 
Pearl Dreams - you're Tahitian strand is beautiful!!!

Pattye - initially when I first checked out your store, I missed the french wires & wire needles you have listed, and thought I would have to scrub through different vendors for these items! I did find them after Pearl Dreams mentioned that you have them in your store. And I see that the price point would make a la carte purchase quite doable. But, if you want to experiment with a starter kit, yes silver & gold french wire, wire needle, and 2-3 colors thread may be a good start! :)
 
Pattye, your supplies are so affordable, and your advice and help so wonderful, that I didn't mind buying a la carte at all. I do remember having a lot of initial questions etc ... so a simple kit offering might encourage timid or shy buyers, or those pressed for time? I'd say gold and silver gimp, few needles, and 3 - 4 threads. A beginner might be most likely to start with inexpensive FW pearls, so maybe the best ivory for "white" pearls in one or 2 sizes, a light shell pink, and a basic grey blue for beads/gems/Tahitians? A lobster claw clasp in gp or sp and a simple sheet of knotting diagrams and website addresses for videos woul be a great addition. Many find the clasp ends the most confusing ... Just my thoughts :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Camhatch
Fujix Polyester Thread - Has anyone used?
Replies
9
Views
410
A Breaker
A
T
Tale of taking apart two 18-inch Tahitian strands
Replies
4
Views
291
Tiger
T
pattye
Video of Pearl Knotting with no Tools
Replies
7
Views
1K
CortezPearls
CortezPearls
ifutzwithfire
Wrangling long threads when knotting ropes?
Replies
1
Views
353
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Dreams
B
Advice on thread size
Replies
4
Views
594
BWeaves
BWeaves
Back
Top