The Instructions for Beading With an Elastic Cord
Elastic cord beading material is a flexible stringing solution for both beginner and advanced jewelry artists. The stretchy beading cord is available in a few colors, including clear, pearl, red and black to suit a variety of necklace, bracelet and ring jewelry projects. One of the most important instructions for beading with an elastic cord involves preparation. If you neglect to prepare the cord, your jewelry designs can become longer over time.
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Things You'll Need
- Elastic beading cord
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Clasp
- Beads
- Jeweler's glue
- Paper clip
Instructions
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Knotted Clasp Method
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Cut a length of elastic beading cord 4 inches longer than the overall length of your jewelry design. The added inches are for knotting the material. Pull the ends of the cord in opposing directions to stretch the material. It's necessary to prestretch most elastic beading materials so that the jewelry does not lengthen over time. Elastic beading cord is available in a variety of thicknesses, from .5mm to 1.8mm. Select the .5mm material if you are using smaller beads, select thicker elastic for larger beads.
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2
Thread 2 inches of one end of the elastic beading cord through the metal ring at the base of one section of the clasp. Tie the elastic to the clasp using a triple overhand knot. Stretch the cord at the base of the clasp after tying each knot.
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3
Thread the beads in your choice of pattern over the open end of the elastic beading cord. Slide the first few beads over both cords exiting the knot at the clasp. Add beads up to 2 inches from the end of the elastic cord.
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4
Tie the end of the beaded cord around the metal ring at the base of the remaining clasp section. Feed the excess elastic down through the beads. Cover the knots with jeweler's glue. Allow the glue to dry before wearing the jewelry.
No Clasp Method
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5
Cut a length of elastic beading cord 2 inches longer than the overall jewelry length. Prestretch the cut cord.
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6
Attach a paper clip to one end of the elastic, 1 inch from the end. Thread beads onto the cord, up to the paper clip. Leave 1 inch of cord bead-free at the open end.
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7
Remove the paper clip. Tie the ends of the elastic beading cord together in a triple overhand knot. Stretch the cord after tying each knot. Secure the finished knot with a drop of glue. After the glue dries, cut the excess cord exiting the knot and slide the knot inside a bead.
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