Making Beaded Jewellery - Part IV @ Jewel Info 4 U
By: Bina Shaji Kurup
Threading Options II
A mind boggling range of cords,
threads and wires are to be had for
the creative beader - bright colors,
braids, thin, thick, natural,
synthetic and much more - making a
choice is not easy. Some of the
popular options in synthetic cords
are listed below to make it easier:
Polyester Cord: The polyester cord
is strong but prone to fraying.
Although, pre-waxed the wax tends to
come out while beading, making it
slightly difficult to thread through
the beads. Available in many sizes,
the polyester cord can be used with
even small size beads and larger
metal beads as well.
Elastic Cords: Elasticity
in the threading material makes it
easy to create the jewellery, just
string in the beads, tie up the two
ends and voila the necklace or
bracelet is ready for use. Made
popular by designers who have
created jewellery, especially
bracelets, anklets, armbands etc, to
fit everyone which is the main
advantage of Elastic cord - the
ornament can stretch to fit anyone!
The beaded piece also becomes
multi-functional - for eg. an anklet
can also become a bracelet since the
cord stretches. Elastic cord can be
cut by sharp edges and will also
loose its elasticity over time so it
is not a good choice for beads with
sharp edges. Elastic cord is sold in
many colors and sizes and it does
not fray which makes beading easy.
Unlike other materials this does not
require clasps, hooks etc at the
ends making is a great option for
quick to make beaded jewellery. Some
of the brand names it is sold under
is Stretchalon, Stretch Magic etc.
Memory wire: A steel
elastic option, sold under several
brand names. Just like the elastic
cord, the memory wire remembers its
shape and size hence the name. This
product is very strong and special
pliers are required to cut it.
Unlike regular cords, Memory wire is
not sold in spools but is sold as
continuous loops in several sizes.
It takes the shape and size of the
wearer due its elastic nature making
it easy to create pretty beaded
jewellery - even by children.
Illusion Cord: If your
design has the appearance of beads
strung together without any visible
cord, almost floating around your
neck or ear or wrist then choose the
Illusion cord. This monofilament or
nylon cord is transparent and has a
slight elasticity to it. Making
knots is difficult and many beaders
use tiny crimps to ensure beads stay
in one place. Unlike a Memory wire,
it is preferred, that Illusion cord
jewellery be tied together with
clasps at both ends.
Nymo: A cheaper
alternative to natural silk threads
is Nylon. It is stronger than silk
and does not stretch as silk does,
but it does get cut when used with
beads with sharp edges. Also called
Nymo, this product is composed of
several strands of monofilaments
giving it a tendency to fray. Waxing
it will reduce the fraying and
pre-waxed nymo is also available.
Easy to knot, the thinner sizes of
Nymo can be used to string pearls,
heishi and other lightweight beads,
heavy beads are not suitable to this
cord. A similar cording material
with some modifications, called
C-Lon has been also been launched.
Bonded Nylon Threads:
Another version of Nymo are the
Bonded Nylon threads - stronger,
more resistant to fraying and
abrasion. Even gemstones can be
strung on Bonded Nylon without the
fear of the cord breaking. Both Nymo
and Bonded Nylon are available in a
range of colors and need a needle
for easy beading. Silamide, which is
waxed nylon twisted thread. It is
quite strong and flexible.
Braided Cord: Yet another
option for beaders is a heavy,
strong, braided thread sold as Power
Pro / Fire Line and other brand
names. The waxed braid ensures
minimal fraying and it can be
threaded through a needle for easy
beading. Even beads with sharp edges
like gemstones, metal beads etc
cannot easily cut into this cord.
This material is a great option for
pieces where the threading material
is hidden from the outside view
especially since it is not available
in too many colors. Easy to knot,
with a minimal stretch, necklaces
created with this thread look great.
The flexible nylon coated cords
range from thin cords with just 5 or
7 strands up to more than 49
strands. Coated and non-coated
versions are widely available under
brands called Tigertail, Softflex,
Beadalon, Accuflex etc. It is a
stiffer threading option and does
not hold knots well, crimps are
normally used to keep the beads in
place. The main advantage of these
cords is its strength and resistance
to fraying. Some of these are coated
with real gold or silver.
Craft wire is not recommended for
important beading projects since it
cuts very easily and is mostly used
in amateur crafting projects.
Copper, German Silver wires have
also caught the fancy of jewellery
designers. The technological
advances in making threading
material is so advanced, it is
difficult to guess which cord is
actually a wire and which one is a
natural thread. Only after the
thread is used to make the
jewellery, will the differences
between each of the various
threading options be visible.
The interested beader can choose
from the exciting array of varied
threading options.
Making Beaded Jewellery Part 1,
Part 2,
More Threading option
Jewellery manufacturing
Related Links :
|
 |
Belly Button Piercing
The Egyptians, the Indians and many other cultures pierced this humble button to show the significance of the person sporting a pierced navel - Royalty, Warriors, exceptional Beauty. |
|
|
|
|
|
