Show Me Your Fancy Color Metallic Freshwater Pearls!!

[BWeaves]

Oh, I have that problem with big pearls, too. When I'm taking the strand apart, I try to pull out pearls that have larger holes, especially for the ends. But that only works if the pearls are all the same size. And then I still struggle with the very last pearl. I use a hemastat to grab the end of the needle and yank it through.

I love your necklace. You'll have to give us neck shots!

 

[86Corvettegirl]

Beautiful necklace, Parrot Lady! I love the color!!

 

[Parrot Lady]

Thanks gemandpearlover and 86CG. I get more comments and compliments on that giant fireball than any of my other pearls.

 

[CricketBug]

At risk of being gauche, what is the size of the giant fireball pearl? I've never seen one in real life.

 

[CBPearllover]

Still, the knotting at the beginning and end is a hot mess.

View attachment 65494

Well in this picture it looks great! What size thread did you use? I was planning on knotting a necklace of smaller pearls (3-3.5mm) to use as a chain, and planned on using the thinnest Beader's Secret. Now I'm wondering if I have the patience...

 

[Parrot Lady]

At risk of being gauche, what is the size of the giant fireball pearl? I've never seen one in real life.

CricketBug, the fireball is 32mm x 22mm. It's a big one!

 

[CricketBug]

CricketBug, the fireball is 32mm x 22mm. It's a big one!

Ooooh, that *is* a biggie! On-screen, it looks like a monster size. LOL! When it comes to pearls and sparklies, for me, bigger is often better. Love how you've put this together!

 

[Parrot Lady]

CBPearllover, I used #40 Beader's Secret and it was tight. Although the doubled thread went theough the pearls easily, beginning and ending the strand where the thread was quadrupled was no fun at all. I had to spend a lot of time with a pearl reamer trying to enlarge the holes and even then it was tricky. (Not to mention I reamed my finger numerous times.). I think I'd use wire for 3-3.5 pearls.

 

[Katbran]

I find such small pearls to be so difficult ! I try to avoid anything under 5mm lol I'd use wire as well or even string with a small bumper instead of a knot every 10 pearls or so.... I've never used anything that small except gemstones and I use wire for them .

That said , it's a lovely lovely necklace !!

 

[CBPearllover]

CBPearllover, I used #40 Beader's Secret and it was tight. Although the doubled thread went theough the pearls easily, beginning and ending the strand where the thread was quadrupled was no fun at all. I had to spend a lot of time with a pearl reamer trying to enlarge the holes and even then it was tricky. (Not to mention I reamed my finger numerous times.). I think I'd use wire for 3-3.5 pearls.

Oh wow, yeah that does not sound like fun. I've never used beading wire, but I've been needing an excuse to try. I know it's necessary to ream out pearls sometimes, but I've only done larger ones. And those reamers are so sharp WHOA Good information, thanks for the heads-up.

 

[amti]

Such a beautiful combo Parrot Lady. You did a great job on the stringing. Not sure I want to string anything that tiny, but I may have to soon. I just love tiny pearls!

 

[JerseyPearl]

Stringing tiny pearls can be a challenge. Last summer I redesigned a 9 row pearl choker into a bracelet (9 rows on each side of a platinum and diamond centerpiece). I ended up using Beader's Secret #40 and removing one strand from the 3 ply. The pearls were super small, all under 3.0mm.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

JerseyPearl, please add that tip/trick to the stringing tutorial thread sometime!

 

[CricketBug]

JerseyPearl, please add that tip/trick to the stringing tutorial thread sometime!

I second this request, pretty please!

 

[JerseyPearl]

JerseyPearl, please add that tip/trick to the stringing tutorial thread sometime!

If I can remember to do it! It was a life saver...otherwise I would have had to use silk thread (which comes in super tiny diameter). I don't mind silk per se, but I have a very strong preference for using Beader's Secret.

 

[pattye]

If I can remember to do it! It was a life saver...otherwise I would have had to use silk thread (which comes in super tiny diameter). I don't mind silk per se, but I have a very strong preference for using Beader's Secret.

Wow, I can't even imagine the drill hole size, so small! A useful tip for sure, with the other knotters, looking forward to your technique.

 

[Gemandpearlover]

This necklace is a work in progress. I keep adding pearls I like and removing ones I don't. Yesterday I re-strung the necklace adding a pewter raven accent piece.

 

[JerseyPearl]

Just an FYI, while she was in HK Katbran took a photo of an amazing strand of gem quality cultured freshwater pearls that's up on her Instagram. While they aren't technically hers (she didn't purchase them), they are amazing and worth a look see!

 

[seoulite]

my first purchase from etsy..
i really like the color of some of the pearls.. but it feels too heavy on my neck (60cm),.,..
thought it would be delivered within a week as I live just next to china..but i had to wait 3weeks..

 

[Abi]

Seoulite: Maybe you can re-string it so it'll be lighter and keeping only your favorite pearls on it . Which vendor did you get it from?