As someone completely new to pearl beading, I would appreciate any advice for my first necklace.
I decided to take on a rather large project, after seeing a necklace I loved but couldn’t afford. I consider myself quite crafty and thought it can’t be that hard to put pearls on string....not realizing the many nuances involved.
I’m making a ten foot strand of white, round, 2.5mm pearls with French wire. I’ve already invested a large amount into good quality pearls (I think!) plus a gold chain for the ends. I’ve been lurking and gathering info, but I was hoping some of you could clarify some things.
- the holes are meant to be .6 mm. I’m going to try using a double thread. What size thread, after being doubled, should I aim for? Around 5mm, 4mm? Or is it better go tiny, around 2.5, so I can back knot 4 threads through the last few beads when starting and finishing?
The purist in me wants to try silk first, but I’m going to order some beaders secret as a backup.
- What’s your opinions on the best needle for such tiny beads? I was thinking of ordering some big eye needles along with my beaders secret. Or maybe the twisted steel ones? I’m not entirely clear if any of these would fit in my pearls.
- would waxing the silk string cause discoloration? As I’m using white string with white pearls.
- and lastly, I intend to knot every 6 in. Now I’m wondering if I should knot after every pearl since I bought the expensive, high quality ones. But it seems a bit overkill with tiny pearls maybe? Any opinions?
Thank you in advance, your forum has been incredibly helpful and I’ve loved looking at all your creations!
I decided to take on a rather large project, after seeing a necklace I loved but couldn’t afford. I consider myself quite crafty and thought it can’t be that hard to put pearls on string....not realizing the many nuances involved.
I’m making a ten foot strand of white, round, 2.5mm pearls with French wire. I’ve already invested a large amount into good quality pearls (I think!) plus a gold chain for the ends. I’ve been lurking and gathering info, but I was hoping some of you could clarify some things.
- the holes are meant to be .6 mm. I’m going to try using a double thread. What size thread, after being doubled, should I aim for? Around 5mm, 4mm? Or is it better go tiny, around 2.5, so I can back knot 4 threads through the last few beads when starting and finishing?
The purist in me wants to try silk first, but I’m going to order some beaders secret as a backup.
- What’s your opinions on the best needle for such tiny beads? I was thinking of ordering some big eye needles along with my beaders secret. Or maybe the twisted steel ones? I’m not entirely clear if any of these would fit in my pearls.
- would waxing the silk string cause discoloration? As I’m using white string with white pearls.
- and lastly, I intend to knot every 6 in. Now I’m wondering if I should knot after every pearl since I bought the expensive, high quality ones. But it seems a bit overkill with tiny pearls maybe? Any opinions?
Thank you in advance, your forum has been incredibly helpful and I’ve loved looking at all your creations!
