Happy New Year Everyone, A friend asked me to restring a
necklace of those tiny silver tube beads intermixed with
turquoise beads and I started to use the silk beading cord which
I have on hand . I do not like the “lay” or “flow” of the
result. It looks bent in certain areas. Would someone with
more beading experience please give me a hint on what to use
instead that gives a quality result? Much appreciated - Thanks!
Sue Danehy
I use Soft Touch, in is in the family of Soft Flex products.
Soft Flex will do the job, but the Soft Touch gives a softer
look. You won’t even need a needle, it is strong enough to
thread with the end.
Happy New Year,Sue -
Is your silk cord too thick ? Simply try a finer weight, perhaps
size “E”. Or you might try a (thin) nylon. Some prefer to use a
Tigertail wire for metal beads. Personally, I avoid the stuff
like the plague except, perhaps, for a temporary mock-up. You
want the tubes to feel a little “loose-y goose-y” and slide down
the cord easily. Maybe try beeswaxing the cord for added strength
and slip.(I would also knot the cord against the turquoise beads
for added security.) Good luck!
Margery Epstein
I’ll tell you the little I know. You probably had to restring
the necklace because it was originally strung on the wrong
material… monophiliment, or something like that… Tiger tail
would be your best bet. It is a wires covered with plastic, it
comes in many gauges, and is very strong, and unless you bend
it or crinkle it, the beading will be a very smooth line.
You can usually find tiger tail in any craft store, make sure
to use crimp beads and a good finding on the ends. If you do
so, your friend will never have to ask you to restring the item
again
Good luck
Amanda White
sue - use a thinner silk thread, or 8-10 lb test mono fishing
line, in the smallest beading needle (not the twisted wire
needle) - you may need to smoosh the end flatter to get it in
the needle eye. secure end with knot, etc. dump beads into
shallow container & use diving motion with needle to push
several beads with each dive. shortcut so you don’t have to keep
re-threading, etc.: use a piece of thread long enough to string
all the lengths at one time, leave extra thread. when you’ve
strung a bunch then measure off the desired length & push beads
forward so you have a bare spot at each end, twist & put on bead
crimp or secure however you want - good luck - ive
In my opinion a product called “Soft Flex Wire” would be a
better choice. It is much more flexible than Tiger Tail, it is
less apt to kink and is stronger. It is also available in a
number of different gauges. Joel @schwalbstudio
Sue, I generally use a very thin tiger tail. The “body” of the
thread will help the flow of the liquid silver. Good Luck,
Vera
I would really have to caution you against using monofilament in
a finished design, meant to be worn. It will degrade with time
and simply give way.We discussed this a while back in reference
to the popular fad “illusion” style necklace. We purchase the
majority of beads temporarily strung on the stuff, and that’s
how I stash my inventory - hung on the walls. Every so often, I
hear a ‘crash’ from the studio - another worn-out strand has
committed suicide! Factor in the likelihood that there are some
rough edges on your (liquid) silver tube beads that will abrade
your line, and you are sure to have one cranky customer… I
haven’t worked with the soft flex yet, but it looks like a very
good choice - better than mono and Tiger Tail -which will break
too! Believe me! Tiger Tail just reeks of “cheap” to me. It will
crimp and break - guaranteed, because you have no control over
the storage and handling habits of your customers.If the piece
is folded or bunched in any way, it will affect the wire, and it
will fail.
Good Luck !
Margery Epstein