Working with supplies and tools to help string beads is probably the first thing on your mind when you become more interested in crafting jewelry items and other beaded creations.
But more than the tools to help string beads, you also need to develop the technical talent to precisely working with such small components. Today’s blog will focus on troubleshooting different scenarios while creating bracelets and necklaces, but you will also be able to use these techniques on other beaded creations.
To reduce frustration and increase the overall value and beauty of your beaded creations, don’t forget that Xinar has been happily serving generations of beaders and crafters for over twenty years. Right now would be a good moment to delve into gold-filled beads, gold-filled clasps, rose gold-filled beads, rose gold-filled findings, and other durable options for jewelry and accessories that will easily stand the test of time.
Tools to Help String Beads on Necklaces and Bracelets
What are the everyday bracelet and necklace lengths?
If you’re crafting or sewing items to give as gifts or to sell, you’ll need to know the range of lengths that fit most individuals. For example, a tape measure is central to tools that help string beads.
Typically, bracelets range in length from 7″ to 8″; 712″ is a suitable length that suits many individuals. Keep in mind that the larger the beads, the longer the bracelet will need to be to get the exact fit since larger beads require more space within the stretched bracelet. You can measure a bracelet when unfastened, but the measurement obtained after it is secured more helpful. Using a bracelet mandrel, the wearing length of a bracelet may be determined. Mandrels made of steel or plastic are offered as jewelry-making equipment, but you may manufacture your own.
There is a typical range of necklace lengths. But where a necklace falls on a woman’s body depends on her neck and shoulders.
Some ladies choose short necklaces that are visible in headshots. Others choose a long necklace so they may play with it throughout the day. A lady with a big chest may select a necklace that does not extend past her breast shelf. Here are some length guides:
- Choker = 15 to 16 inches
- Princess equals 18 inches
- Mid-chest or matinée equals 24.”
- 30″ to 36″ and longer for opera or rope
How can I create a bracelet with the correct length?
Finding the ideal bracelet length may need some trial and error. It is helpful to measure a bracelet that fits well to choose an appropriate length for your wrist or someone else’s. This is the length that will be targeted.
Include any rings that will connect the clasp to the bracelet you’re designing when you measure the planned clasp. Subtract this amount from the desired bracelet length. Allow 3/16″ to 14″ at either end for the crimp and loop if the bracelet will be strung and attached with crimps. The remaining number represents the length required to thread or weave the bracelet before applying the clasp.
What’s the ideal way to identify the correct size of a bracelet with a toggle clasp?
To precisely determine the length of a bracelet with a clasp, consider how the clasp overlaps or secures when the bracelet is closed. For a toggle, the bar lies just inside the inner edges of the ring; therefore, the bracelet should be measured from the inner edge of the post to the inner edge of the outer ring.
How do you measure your worth with large or broad round beads bracelets?
Measuring an existing bracelet’s length may not be accurate if the bracelet you’re building is extra-thick, broad, or strung with bigger beads. That’s why you need accurate tools to help string beads. Because the thickness or size of the beads affects the bracelet’s inner diameter, the replacement bracelet will need to be longer to fit the same manner around the wrist.
The bracelet mandrel facilitates this measuring. A mandrel enables you to measure the interior circumference of the bracelet, which is the area left for your wrist. A jewelry seller offers a low-cost plastic alternative.
You may also construct your bracelet mandrel out of a big plastic drinking cup by following the steps below:
1. Remove the base of the cup.
2. Create an opening on the cup’s side.
3. Overlap the cut edges and tape them to create a mandrel the size of a bracelet.
4. Place the bracelet that fits best on the tiny end of the cup or mandrel and record the size of the cup immediately under the bracelet. Multiple sizes can be marked on a single cylinder.
Use the appropriate line on the cup to establish the optimal bracelet length. As previously, remember to give sufficient length for the clasp and any rings. This technique is far more precise than measuring a bracelet when it is resting flat.
When it is challenging to visualize a bead pattern on a bracelet or necklace, what do you do when it is challenging?
A bead board, also known as a design board, is convenient for developing a new stringing design. For instance, you may have five lovely Venetian beads from your grandmother’s necklace and wish to create a new necklace with them.
On the bead board, you may experiment with spacing with the five beads and then fill in the spaces between them with beads of various sizes, shapes, and hues to create an amicable arrangement. The groove trays are offered in both short and extended lengths. If you want to create pieces longer than 26 inches, get the longer board to avoid purchasing two different sizes.
When you have some ideas for stringing the item, the next step is to pick up 1 to 2 inches of each design concept with the end of your beading wire to see how they appear. Use tools to help string beads. This will help you to discover your preferences and adjust, as well as generate other ideas. Depending on the complexity of your item, you may choose to incorporate many designs in various places of the necklace:
- A simple or complex pattern is repeated down the length of the necklace.
- Larger or more significant beads (focal beads) are set in the middle, with lesser beads and patterns tapering outwards.
- Each bead is divided by a tiny bead of a different size.
There are infinite design possibilities ready to be unlocked by your creativity and desire to experiment. For example, after deciding on a pattern, you may thread the beads on flexible beading wire and secure the ends with crimps.
Remember that you are not destroying your grandmother’s beads by creating a piece. You could wear it for a year before breaking it up and redesigning it to match your new thoughts and skills.
What can you do when protruding wire from a necklace scratches the wearer’s neck?
Never cut the wire soon after the crimp to avoid wire ends from protruding from the necklace. It is essential to continue stringing the end through multiple beads (12″ to 34″) following the crimp, preferably with a close fit to ensure that the end remains concealed. Snip the wire end between beads, so it remains concealed within a bead.
Can a necklace be completed without a clasp?
You may make your basic clasp by inserting a big bead or button at one end and crimping or tying many knots between the beads to anchor the other end firmly. On the opposite end, crimp or tie a knot to secure a loop of seed beads that will fit over the button. Remember to use tools to help string beads.
- You may also create a necklace with no clasp. A 24″-long string will fit over most heads. Here’s how to proceed:
- Attach two crimps to one end of the design.
- Pass the second end through the crimps in the other way and continue through many beads on either side of the crimps.
- Adjust the tension and fasten the crimps.
Troubleshooting Beadwork
What could be the problem if you end up with a stiff necklace even after using a high-quality beading wire?
Usually, the generic directions to “tighten the beads” often result in complications. It just lacks specificity. When stringing beads onto the flexible beading wire, it is essential to give sufficient space for the beads to move. If not, the necklace will not curve gently around your neck, regardless of how fluid or flexible the wire is.
To prevent restringing the item, you may want to attempt my technique to eliminate a crimp to offer more ease. After removing the crimp, it will be necessary to thread a new one and adjust its ease before attaching it.
If you have previously cut the second end, you may be able to gently shorten the necklace so that you have a working end. However, if shortening it damages the piece’s symmetry, you may need to start with a new wire. This section of wire can be saved for a shorter necklace or bracelet.
How different are eyeglass strings from regular necklaces?
An eyeglass string or leash is created similarly to a necklace; only the clasp is replaced with eyeglass components. As is customary, string beads on flexible beading wire (at least .019 and 49 strands, as eyeglass strings are frequently abused) adjust the tension and crimp the ends. Use tools to help string beads to make the project easier.
How difficult is it to make floating necklaces?
Because the beads appear to float in thin air, this necklace is sometimes called an illusion necklace or a floating necklace. This is not a problematic stringing task. Individual beads or groups of beads strung on transparent illusion string or fishing line are secured with crimps at either end to get the correct spacing.
Since the wire only goes through the crimp once, a very tiny crimp may be used for this task (unlike at a clasp, where the wire must pass through twice). Try the 1 1 mm micro-crimps, which dissolve almost entirely after crimping. Also required is a micro-crimper for flattening and folding the crimps.
Cut a plastic coffee stirrer or drinking straw to the necessary length between beads or groups of beads for a straightforward method of determining uniform spacing. One side of the tube must be slit to remove it from the wire after crimping.
Here’s how that’s done:
- Slide the straw onto the rope following the final bead.
- Add a crimp, the next bead(s), then a second crimp.
- Secure the crimps to secure the beads.
- Slide the straw off the rope along the slit, then move it to find the next position.
Can I construct a necklace or bracelet that floats without a fishing line?
For other floating effects, you can use flexible beading wire, which gives greater strength, especially for bracelets and beads that are hefty or sharp.
This method may be highly stunning when executed with gold- or silver-plated wire and wire coated in bronze, purple, red, white, or black. Use a multi-strand clasp, with some strands longer than others, to create an interconnecting, floating pattern, such as the bracelet seen above.
Another technique variant uses silk or organza ribbon, silk cord, or waxed linen cord strung with knots to secure each bead or cluster of beads. Again, choose the materials to suit the desired style, whether breezy and athletic with seashells and linen or glisten with crystals strung on silk.
What makes a completed necklace durable?
When jewelry is brought to me for repair, I am always curious about how and where it broke. It is nearly always the thread that has frayed, the monofilament that has dried out and grown brittle, or the bead tip that has been repeatedly bent. However, if the item is strung and crimped correctly on beading wire, it has a greater possibility of lasting much longer.
To evaluate the durability of a necklace or other piece of jewelry, I find it helpful to consider its weakest link. This component is the most likely to fail first. Therefore, I always scrutinize a piece of jewelry to see where it is most likely to shatter. I may utilize this knowledge to reinforce the region so the item will last longer. Develop the practice of inspecting every piece you create for any of the following possible flaws:
Your rustic stone beads have sharp edges and holes that will eventually saw through the too-thin beading wire. This is more possible if the strand was packed too tightly before crimping, and there is no room for the beads to move.
A crimp with crossed wires or one that was never sufficiently flattened.
The clasp’s un-soldered jump ring or split ring was sprung open during manufacture and will never shut again, enabling thread or wire to pass through.
In this examination, it seems sensible to consider how often the item will be worn. A ceremonial necklace, such as one for the wedding, is not likely to be worn frequently. But if your product is one of those beautiful bracelets you grab for whenever you wear black, it must not just withstand being banged about on a mouse pad all day but also be worn day after day, week after week. I wear my favorite items daily and expect them to endure for years. Consider the work-life of a piece of jewelry while evaluating its durability.
The weakest link on an eyeglass string is typically the little rubber loop on the eyeglass finder. These rubber parts deteriorate and break far before the beaded strand wears out. My approach is to add a split or spring ring to the rubber loop and then connect the flexible beading wire to this ring. Thus, if the rubber finding breaks, you may replace it without having to restring the entire necklace.
How can you tighten bracelets so the clasps don’t end up on top of one’s hand?
The optimal placement for a bracelet’s center or focal point is on top of the wrist. The law of gravity dictates that if the focal region of a bracelet is heavier than the clasp area, the bracelet will flip over, and just the clasp will be seen. If you’re bored of constantly rotating your bracelets, the solution is to create one that is appropriately weighted, so gravity will let it hang with the clasp at the bottom.
To make the laws of physics work for you rather than against you, the focus region of the bracelet should be lighter than the clasp area. Experiment with arranging lighter beads like wood, seed pods, bone, cork, amber, polymer clay, metal mesh, or Bali beads with filigree in the focus area. Place heavier beads on either side of the clasp, such as stone, solid metal, or glass tube beads with wire wrappings.
Using these concepts, you can create bracelets that look equally stunning on your wrist and a table. In addition, several alternative expedient options are viable in a pinch:
Bracelets can be strung on the stretch string, so they do not readily turn over.
Design a bracelet with no “right” or “top” side, so it looks fantastic in any orientation, such as one strung with memory wire.
Use a beautiful clasp designed to be seen so that it may serve as the bracelet’s center point.