Multicoloured SS & Tahitian strand

[pattye]

You might try a temporary stringing if you already have various gems on hand--just use a fine wire, like beadalon, instead of the actual knotting thread you will eventually use for the final necklace. You would get a good idea of just how it would look.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[GemGeek]

You might try a temporary stringing if you already have various gems on hand--just use a fine wire, like beadalon, instead of the actual knotting thread you will eventually use for the final necklace. You would get a good idea of just how it would look.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

Great idea Pattye!

 

[Nerida]

I agree - that is a fantastic idea - thank you very much! Then I won't have to keep waiting for the PowerPro! I have ordered from 2 suppliers - one 2.5 weeks ago and just got the shipping notification to say it left the US today -not happy at all!

Pattye - you're a whiz!

 

[Sueki]

You might try a temporary stringing if you already have various gems on hand--just use a fine wire, like beadalon, instead of the actual knotting thread you will eventually use for the final necklace. You would get a good idea of just how it would look.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

Hi Pattye,
That's exactly what I do. I find it's the best way to play around with ideas until I'm happy. I start in the middle and work my way towards the ends, then tie the ends off when done and put them away until ready to complete the finished piece.

Just be careful to keep a firm grip on the wire ends while designing - I've lost count of the number of times I've let go and the whole lot slide to the floor......

And here's something that drives me nuts - with bead-nuked pearls, occasionally I find that the bead has shifted slightly within the nacre, and I spend ages trying to re-position it...
This happened again yesterday to two of those Josh pearls.
Does anyone else have this happen ?

 

[pearlescence]

Hi Sueki
The nuke has shifted..? can you explain that more? do you mean that the whole round nuke has rotated so that the drill hole is out of alignment? Is Josh using silicone nukes?,

 

[jerin]

Just be careful to keep a firm grip on the wire ends while designing - I've lost count of the number of times I've let go and the whole lot slide to the floor......

Sueki,

what about using Alligator clips or those spiral formed rings, where you pinch the thread so the pearls, beads, gems or other can?t fall off!

 

[Sueki]

Hi Inge,
Thanks for the tips. What are the spiral formed rings please ?
Alligator clips is a good idea, but I'm always too impatient to keep clipping and unclipping them......
Oh, and congrats. on your team's win last night

Wendy,
- " the whole round nuke has rotated so that the drill hole is out of alignment" -
yes, that's exactly what has happened a few times.
Not just with the Josh pearls either; it's happened with South Sea pearls too.
And I can't remember clearly, but I have a feeling I encountered the same thing with one or two Cortez pearls.
I cut the temporary strand, lay the beads on the mat and simply pick them up one by one and string them.
And with the occasional pearl the nucleus has shifted slightly.

You don't want to know how frustrating and time consuming it is to re-align the thing..

 

[pattye]

Hi All,




Here they are in two sizes, from www.beadstopper.com. I bought from a bead store, but need to order more. They have saved me so many times from complete catastrophe! I have also used tape across the beading wire, when they are strung, but awaiting a clasp.

Sueki, I am glad to know you use this method also. I have not yet had the nuclei shift. However, in some of the fw the drill holes seem a little tight in the middle of the pearl, like they didn't quite line up. But I don't think that is what you are talking about.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[Sueki]

Hi Pattye,
Thanks for the info. - I'll put some of those on my next order and give them a go.
I always tie the wire off when I've finished putting together a style, so everything's secure.
But it's while I'm doing the temporary wire strands that I sometimes forget to keep a hold of both ends.......

But designing using the wire is the best method for me, as I find I can't accurately graduate sizes if using the bead board.
It's easier for me to hold the strung pearls up to the light to check the sizing is right, and it's also easier to see if this bead goes with that pearl etc. when using the wire.

Yes, I too have found freshwater pearls where the drill holes don't quite align.
If you string from the wrong side, the needle or wire hits a kind of ledge in the centre of the pearl.

But this shifting of the bead nucleus is a different kettle of fish.
It doesn't happen often, but when it does it drives me nuts.

 

[jerin]

Hi Sueki,

Pattye saved me with the bead stoppers, I had forgetten what they are called. But be cautious when getting the thread in one of the rings - if you get it too long down towards the one end, it can be very hard to get it out, so make sure your thread is long enough!

Oh, and congrats. on your team's win last night
What do you mean? What win last night?

 

[Sueki]

Inge, Inge,
Take your eyes off of the pearls for a moment or two....

European Cup; Sweden 2 v. Greece 0

 

[pearlescence]

Are you sure the nuke is shifting Susan? It sometimes happens that the two halves of the drill hole don't quite line up so that when you try to thread the needle through it catches on the raised bit. I find a good shove through with a stiff headpin scares it back into line. Or turn the pearl around. Or upside down. Those things usually do it If all else fails you can shout at it.

 

[Sueki]

Hi Wendy,
No, this is definitely the nucleus shifting - the needle won't go in at all any further than the nacre; when I hold the pearl to the light, you can't see through the drill hole, so then I look through the magnifier and the hole has disappeared. Replaced by black nucleus.
I gently prod and move the bead with a wire needle until the hole is back in line.
I have experimented a little with one of the pearls this happened to and using Beadalon wire I can slide the wire in quite deep between the nucleus and the nacre.

 

[knotty panda]

Ok, that's freaky. Sounds like you're living in an alternate universe.

 

[jshepherd]

And here's something that drives me nuts - with bead-nuked pearls, occasionally I find that the bead has shifted slightly within the nacre, and I spend ages trying to re-position it...
This happened again yesterday to two of those Josh pearls.
Does anyone else have this happen ?

That's common, actually, and incredibly annoying. You can usually shake those pearls and feel the nucleus moving around. This never happens with round pearls. Typically only with baroques.

 

[pattye]

Jeremy,

Why would the nucleus appear black?

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[jshepherd]

If the pearl were baroque it would have deposits of organic residue. This is why they smell so bad sometimes when you drill them.

 

[pearlescence]

How amazing - and thanks for that. It hasn't happened to me yet - no bead nuked pearls -but I am aiming to get some soon, and now I will know what is happening when one tries that little trick on me. Ha - send for Susan - that'll learn'em!

 

[jerin]

Inge, Inge,
Take your eyes off of the pearls for a moment or two....

European Cup; Sweden 2 v. Greece 0

Not being a football fan, I still saw it in the papers, lol oh how happy the Swedes were about this win... But you being English, I think it would be a sacrilege if you were not interested in Football

 

[Sueki]

Thank you Jeremy,
My sanity is saved ...
I'd begun to believe Knotty for a moment there !
Yes, I can feel the nucleus moving around when I shake those pearls - didn't post that bit 'cos I thought that'd really convince folk that I was slightly mad!

And yes, it is indeed incredibly annoying.

Inge, don't tell anyone, but I'm not a football fan; I just can't escape it here.
But at least in the long light evenings of summer I can disappear into the beading room while the footie is on and no-one misses me.