How to Avoid Bead Stringing Problems and Create Matching Bead Jewelry

As a professional bead stringer, there are few mistakes I have not done. Have you strung and knotted your beads only to come up short of thread? When do I choose a bead cup instead of stringing directly to the jump ring and french wire? How do I get the knots to lay more evenly? Should I string with silk, nylon or tiger tail? Making your own fashion statement with beaded jewelry, necklaces, bracelets anklets and earrings is easy if you avoid these common problems.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beads
• Bead Cord or Silk Thread
• Bead Design Board
• Bead Scissors
• Super Glue Gel
• Metal Findings for Earrings, Bracelets and Necklaces
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire Flex Needles

1. 
    
   Beading Board

   USE A BEADING BOARD to organize and visualize. Sit at a desk, pull out the drawer about 5.” Place a towel on the edge of a desk. Attach a tape measure to the desk edge in front of you. Rest you elbows on the drawer as you string and knot. Posture is important. I can string for hours in this position.
   Check for uneven hole sizes. Use a dremel drill to widen a too small hole.

2. 
    
   Plain Amethyst Necklace with purple silk knots

   CHOOSE THE RIGHT FINDINGS
   Clasp, jump rings, bead cups or French wire. You will need crimps for Tiger Tail. This is a matter of weight, style and cost. 14K yellow or white, silver and brass plate are all available. Only use soldered jump rings. Un-soldered jump rings will pull open easily ruining your jewelry. Bead cups are the easiest to tie ends tightly. Use silk for pearls, nylon to save money and tigertail for heavy beads.

3. 
    

   CHECK FOR APPROPRIATE KNOT SIZE* Before starting to string the entire necklace run quadruple cord through the end 2 beads unless you are using a bead cup ends. change the flex needle and cord until you have the right fit. Most pearls take E size silk. Use B for beads <4mm,FF is most common for larger holes.
   FRENCH WIRE is base metal coil tubing that protects the silk from rubbing through and breaking over time against the jump rings. I always use it for pearls and fully knotted pieces.

4. STRING OR KNOT THE NECKLACE, BRACELET OR EARRINGS
   Cut double +8" your finished length for plain and quadruple for knotted. It is possible to avoid a clasp if your necklace is over 22". For a claspless necklace, tie a knot, add 4 beads, leave 1/4" of cord, then tie another knot. String all the rest of the beads. When you are done run the needle through the first of the 4, slide everything up tight. Tie knot, same with bead #2 and #3. Feed cord through #4.

5. SUPER GLUE GEL ENDS
   I use a glossy magazine page, 3 drops of super glue on it. Using a straightened paper clip, pick up 1 tiny drop of glue. Apply to end knot, 1 drop on each knot between the 2 end pearls . Be careful not to get any on the actual bead. Using quadruple cord, wrap it around the glued knot for a second to soak up extra glue and keep the knot flexible. No glue is needed inside the French wire, only at the 2 knotted beads. Use 2 drops of glue for bead cups, none needed between beads.

Tips & Warnings

• Knotting is like knitting, even pressure is what produces even knots. No need to pull super tight, except at the clasp. Let the tool do the work.

Resources

• Bead & Tool Supplier