Show Us Your Pearls In Action!!!

[jeg]

@jeg How do you arrange the pearls? I feel lost with this kind of thing, but have some I need to string. Do you have a system that you start with? Are there any pearl arranging principles that you can share? I am assuming it takes a couple of tries until you like it but, any starting tips would be greatly appreciated!​

Hmmm, I’m not sure I have a system as I tend to rely on what appeals to my eyes, but maybe there are a few things I think about. I use a bead board and start with what I want to use for the center pearl. Then I choose some of the pearls that I want to draw the eye to and place them along the sides around where they would hit by the collar bone or just below if it’s a short strand. If it’s going to be an opera or rope length, then I place them lower than that, but still higher than halfway down the rope. Then I start filling in from there, thinking about contrasting colors next to each other and random sizes. I really like randomness, so I typically don’t create any sort of pattern with the sizes. Or maybe it’s because I don’t have exact numbers of pearls in each size to create a pattern. I like the mix of colors, sizes and shapes because I think it draws the eyes all around. I hope this helps. I’ll have to think about what I do the next time I’m putting together a strand.

 

[jeg]

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

Wearing a pendant from Maui Divers, Hawaii, little h studs of golden SS’s lined with yellow sapphires, and golden SS jackets and a strand I put together.

 

[Happy Huku]

It has been a while... I look and lurk almost daily but haven't logged in for months and months. Love all your amazing creations and seeing such beautiful pearls in action, thank you for sharing the loveliness.
Happy Holidays!

 

[A Breaker]

Hmmm, I’m not sure I have a system as I tend to rely on what appeals to my eyes, but maybe there are a few things I think about. I use a bead board and start with what I want to use for the center pearl. Then I choose some of the pearls that I want to draw the eye to and place them along the sides around where they would hit by the collar bone or just below if it’s a short strand. If it’s going to be an opera or rope length, then I place them lower than that, but still higher than halfway down the rope. Then I start filling in from there, thinking about contrasting colors next to each other and random sizes. I really like randomness, so I typically don’t create any sort of pattern with the sizes. Or maybe it’s because I don’t have exact numbers of pearls in each size to create a pattern. I like the mix of colors, sizes and shapes because I think it draws the eyes all around. I hope this helps. I’ll have to think about what I do the next time I’m putting together a strand.

That is perfect!!! Just a good starting idea is what I needed. Thank you so much!

 

[Happy Huku]

Sun, seafood and pearls for lunch the other day...

 

[jeg]

Looking forward to seeing what you are working on, A Breaker!

So Happy to see you pop in Happy Huku! And ahhhh, sun, seafood and pearls! How lovely!!!

Tahitian studs from Kamoka with two rope lengths I put together- one baroque and the other off rounds.

 

[A Breaker]

Thanks Jeg!! I love, love this thread for all the lovely ways to wear & string pearls! I have Tahitians that are too short for my neck, while I have lost weight, they are still too short, but I have a tahitian mixed bracelet that would help. I THINK I am going to restring the bracelet on the 2 sides of the decorative clasp so that I can have either a more plain grey necklace (the clasp & goldens hidden) or the clasp & goldens showing at side or front. I really appreciate seeing pearls both on people & off in display. It really helps when I think about putting pearl necklaces together!

 

[BWeaves]

Visiting Dad today. It's been nice and warm, mid 70s F with windows open. I have to find an excuse to wear a hat, so I'm going flapper today.

Tahitians from Kojima, Kamoka, and Ocean's Cove.

 

[Pomelo]

Hmmm, I’m not sure I have a system as I tend to rely on what appeals to my eyes, but maybe there are a few things I think about. I use a bead board and start with what I want to use for the center pearl. Then I choose some of the pearls that I want to draw the eye to and place them along the sides around where they would hit by the collar bone or just below if it’s a short strand. If it’s going to be an opera or rope length, then I place them lower than that, but still higher than halfway down the rope. Then I start filling in from there, thinking about contrasting colors next to each other and random sizes. I really like randomness, so I typically don’t create any sort of pattern with the sizes. Or maybe it’s because I don’t have exact numbers of pearls in each size to create a pattern. I like the mix of colors, sizes and shapes because I think it draws the eyes all around. I hope this helps. I’ll have to think about what I do the next time I’m putting together a strand.

This is excellent advice, thanks @jeg !

I’m thinking of restringing some of my strands with gemstones, à la @BWeaves style…!

 

[jeg]

Thanks A Breaker and Pomelo! I’m happy you found this helpful since I really just work on the bead board without thinking much about a process. I did have another thought about the pearls that catch my attention. I never or rarely put them right next to each other. I think that takes away from their individuality. I place the center pearl on the bead board first, then place some of the interesting pearls along the sides, then fill in trying to compliment and contrast the colors. This also works to draw the eye around the strand. I pulled up pics of an old project that I think represents the idea of drawing the eye around the strand by not placing my pearls of interest right next to each other and choosing contrasting colors. I had originally made a long rope of Fiji pearls but I found it too heavy for my liking, so I took it apart and used some of the pearls for this more choker length strand and bracelet. I hope this example helps.

 

[Mary-Contrary]

Thanks A Breaker and Pomelo! I’m happy you found this helpful since I really just work on the bead board without thinking much about a process. I did have another thought about the pearls that catch my attention. I never or rarely put them right next to each other. I think that takes away from their individuality. I place the center pearl on the bead board first, then place some of the interesting pearls along the sides, then fill in trying to compliment and contrast the colors. This also works to draw the eye around the strand. I pulled up pics of an old project that I think represents the idea of drawing the eye around the strand by not placing my pearls of interest right next to each other and choosing contrasting colors. I had originally made a long rope of Fiji pearls but I found it too heavy for my liking, so I took it apart and used some of the pearls for this more choker length strand and bracelet. I hope this example helps.
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It helps very much! You hit the perfect balance between too symmetrical and too chaotic. It’s just right!