tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post6768596144800720947..comments2024-01-29T00:26:27.844-05:00Comments on LINDA'S ART BARN: TIPS ON HAND-KNOTTED PEARL NECKLACES, PART 3Linda K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-67922615180493300752021-08-24T21:39:00.601-04:002021-08-24T21:39:00.601-04:00Thanks for reminding us about being able to purcha...Thanks for reminding us about being able to purchase French wire at riogrande.com. I'm happy that my tutorials have been useful to you.<br /><br />LindaLinda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-37344910307189999782021-08-23T11:01:01.309-04:002021-08-23T11:01:01.309-04:00Also — French wire can be found at https://www.rio...Also — French wire can be found at https://www.riogrande.com. They are a large jewelry supply company in New Mexico that I have used for years. I am a silversmith (jewelry), but I have fallen inn love with pearls and started stringing a couple of years ago. I was looking for a refresher tutorial because I had purchased a lot of beautiful pearls and want to combine them with my silver fabrications. I really prefer the professional look of the French wire, but almost nobody teaches that and I couldn't remember how to use it — so lucky to have stumbled on Linda's tutorials here! Thanks from Also Linda! :)<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13151503487710275049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-15829208134166316612021-05-11T18:52:16.167-04:002021-05-11T18:52:16.167-04:00I've had the message from Maria Lucia above tr...I've had the message from Maria Lucia above translated to English: "I am Brazilian and I make pearl necklaces for a watchmaker. They look beautiful. I would like to know where I can buy the FRENCH WIRE. In Brazil I have difficulty buying. Congratulations on your explanations! Maria Lucia"<br /><br />Thank you, Maria. I don't know where you would buy French Wire in Brazil. I tried a couple of online searches, but did not get any results from Brazil. French Wire is also known as Bullion or Gimp. Maybe that will help you in your search. Are you able to purchase from the US, and if so, can you do that without excessive costs? These are some of the suppliers that I like:<br /><br />Obrigada, Maria. Não sei onde você compraria French Wire no Brasil. Tentei algumas pesquisas online, mas não obtive nenhum resultado do Brasil. French Wire também é conhecido como Bullion ou Gimp. Talvez isso o ajude na sua busca. Você pode comprar dos Estados Unidos e, se sim, pode fazer isso sem custos excessivos? Estes são alguns dos fornecedores de que gosto:<br /> <br />https://artbeads.com/search-results/?q=french%20wire<br /><br />https://www.firemountaingems.com/shop/french_wire<br /><br />https://beadaholique.com/search?q=wire%20bullion<br /><br />https://www.rings-things.com/Products/Bullion-French-Wire/<br /><br />https://www.beadalon.com/products/cords_and_stringing_french_wire.asp<br />Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-70305586115318192002021-05-03T16:54:20.723-04:002021-05-03T16:54:20.723-04:00Sou brasileira e faço colares de perolas para uma ...Sou brasileira e faço colares de perolas para uma relojoaria. Ficam lindos. Gostaria de saber aonde posso comprar o FIO FRANCÊS. No Brasil tenho dificuldade de comprar. Parabéns por suas explicações!<br />Maria LuciaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06853154114666050865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-36448838089749402062019-01-23T21:42:01.966-05:002019-01-23T21:42:01.966-05:00You're welcome, Judy. I prefer French wire pa...You're welcome, Judy. I prefer French wire partly because it is the traditional finish for strung pearls, partly because I love the way it looks, and partly because it protects the silk. I do not like clamshells in general, but definitely don't like them with silk thread. I don't believe they protect the silk and, in fact, I think that they could cut the silk where they press on it. If they work for you, then do what makes you happy.Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-7542552447199593392019-01-23T17:36:50.059-05:002019-01-23T17:36:50.059-05:00Thank-you for sharing this Linda, What are your th...Thank-you for sharing this Linda, What are your thoughts on using a clamshell instead of french wire? I have done both methods and I find using clamshells makes a nicer finished ends.Judy Fitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02528067952988278659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-79232252441637761092018-11-18T19:25:29.970-05:002018-11-18T19:25:29.970-05:00How kind of you to say, Laraine. Yes, silk thread...How kind of you to say, Laraine. Yes, silk thread can be pricey, some brands more than others. Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-41632718954799869532018-11-13T22:21:58.674-05:002018-11-13T22:21:58.674-05:00Linda, you have the best pearl stringing tutorial ...Linda, you have the best pearl stringing tutorial of all the ones I've seen. Thanks so much for taking all that time to share it with us. I have just watched somebody string pearls onto Griffin silk thread WITHOUT STRETCHING IT FIRST. Like you, because of all the tutorials that never mention stretching the thread, I've landed up with necklaces that almost instantly starting gathering great gaps between pearls. The Griffin thread is horribly expensive so I was not amused! I think your method of stretching the silk is also the best I've come across. Thanks again.Laraine Anne Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13869300616419407003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-17877316528325543602018-10-22T09:00:37.712-04:002018-10-22T09:00:37.712-04:00For anyone who is curious. I don't speak Spani...For anyone who is curious. I don't speak Spanish. I went to a site that translates Spanish to English so that I could understand the comment above. Then I wrote my answer and used the same site to translate it to Spanish. The wonders of technology!Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-7445235967683973912018-10-22T08:59:19.688-04:002018-10-22T08:59:19.688-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-20782665315339644742018-10-22T08:56:48.929-04:002018-10-22T08:56:48.929-04:00Bendiciones para ti también. Si tienes acceso al ...Bendiciones para ti también. Si tienes acceso al navegador Google Chrome puede ser de ayuda. Abrir mi blog con Chrome y se traducirá para usted.Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-29346179050695114852018-10-21T23:05:22.718-04:002018-10-21T23:05:22.718-04:00Lo siento,no hablo ni entiendo el idioma Inglés. C...Lo siento,no hablo ni entiendo el idioma Inglés. Compré el hilo de seda pero lo usaré en algo más. Me encantan las perlas y me hubiera gustado hacer ese collar.Muchas gracias por todas las bellezas que comparten cada día. Bendiciones. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08086400029498463102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-16290947796436220342018-01-18T15:57:20.298-05:002018-01-18T15:57:20.298-05:00I just found another interesting conversation on p...I just found another interesting conversation on pearlguide.com, with more information on silk buttonhole twist thread.<br />http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?2336-The-Silk-ChallengeLinda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-80145798259240001172018-01-18T15:35:38.306-05:002018-01-18T15:35:38.306-05:00I think that silk buttonhole twist will be fine if...I think that silk buttonhole twist will be fine if it's the correct thickness for the holes in your pearls. You already have it, so test it out and see. There is a discussion on pearlguide.com about silk buttonhole twist. <br />http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?2602-YLI-Button-Hole-Silk-ThreadLinda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-55295012152890872902018-01-18T12:48:23.651-05:002018-01-18T12:48:23.651-05:00Has anyone tried pearl knotting with silk buttonho...Has anyone tried pearl knotting with silk buttonhole twist? I have several wooden spools from my 'tailoring' days. <br />plathsghosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01189456283513718393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-76404629442352441452016-03-02T09:47:53.391-05:002016-03-02T09:47:53.391-05:00Hi Emily, I apologize for the delayed response. P...Hi Emily, I apologize for the delayed response. Please see my response to Amanda in the comments above (February 6).Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-58421879361908150472015-11-30T00:50:19.025-05:002015-11-30T00:50:19.025-05:00Hi Linda - Your blog is EXACTLY what I've been...Hi Linda - Your blog is EXACTLY what I've been looking for! Thank you for sharing so much great information. I"m making a 10mm pearl necklace for my sister - using the Swarovski pearls. Can you recommend a size of silk thread to use for your double knot strategy?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575762545006678454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-70936549412629244552015-11-12T17:39:05.216-05:002015-11-12T17:39:05.216-05:00Marion, I have never reamed my pearls in order to ...Marion, I have never reamed my pearls in order to work the first and last 3. I prefer not to do that for the exact reason that you state. For anyone who hasn't done this, the knots are swallowed up because the reamer is cone-shaped, which makes the hole larger at the outside. Another problem is that if the nacre is not very thick you can have a mess at the ends of the holes where the nacre is totally removed.<br /><br />I would recommend one of two options. Either find a jeweler who can ream an EVEN hole, or (my choice) use a thinner strand of silk.Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-25677120559503998152015-11-12T16:14:46.037-05:002015-11-12T16:14:46.037-05:00Hi Linda,
Your series of blogs on pearl knotting a...Hi Linda,<br />Your series of blogs on pearl knotting are very informative. I plan to order Henrietta's book. My question is about the first and last 3 pearls on the strand. In my experience I have had to ream these pearls to allow the silk to pass <br />through twice. I have used an electric bead reamer with a tapered diamond tip which seems to create a hole that is largest at the surface of the pearl. By the time I get the pearl reamed for the double strand of silk the knot seems to get swallowed up in the reamed hole. Do you have any suggestions on how to remedy this. I have a dremel mounted in a stand. Is there a bit for reaming pearls that would be appropriate to use? <br />Thanks,<br />MarionAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12925456842955131090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-1790199621786442712015-09-10T13:49:35.801-04:002015-09-10T13:49:35.801-04:00One more thing, Lori. I have used gold findings w...One more thing, Lori. I have used gold findings with pearls, as you can see in this blog. In the photos above, you can see that I used a gold-filled box-shaped filigree clasp with gold-toned French wire when I strung the pale pink pearls. I didn't mean to imply that you shouldn't use gold.Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-8152706104789993892015-09-10T13:45:48.333-04:002015-09-10T13:45:48.333-04:00Hi Lori,
My short answer about the 3 pearls at t...Hi Lori, <br /><br />My short answer about the 3 pearls at the end is to read the comments above, where you'll see that I've explained it in response to another question. I'm going to recommend that you follow the beautifully illustrated steps that you'll find in Henrietta's book. <br /><br />There are several sizes of French wire. The size you use will depend on the size of the silk thread or cord that you use. I mostly use the "fine" size (.8 mm) when stringing pearls.<br /><br />Regarding the finish, that's your preference. You will want to match it to your clasp, so one of the gold finishes with a gold clasp and one of the silver finishes with a silver clasp. Vermeil is sterling silver with gold plating.<br /><br />My personal preference is a sterling silver filigree clasp, either the fishhook or square shape. I would use the sterling silver French wire if I had it available. <br /><br />I can tell you that I've used "silver-toned" French wire for my own pearls over the years when I wasn't able to get sterling. I never found the wire to get grungy looking. That said, I'd make sure to use sterling if stringing pearls for someone else.Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-67836983067685593922015-09-04T03:26:43.656-04:002015-09-04T03:26:43.656-04:00Wonderful series!! So helpful and informative!
W...Wonderful series!! So helpful and informative!<br /><br />When using the knotting tool, you say to do the first 3 pearls with the doubled silk thread. I assume I do that with the last 3 pearls of the strand as well.<br /><br />I found your 3 articles after I ordered a Beadalon pearl knotting tool and Griffin silk cord online, so now I’m going to order Henrietta’s book, gum arabic, and French wire. <br /><br />Is there a “standard” size/type of French wire? I found so many options on FMG. This is the condensed list:<br />Gold finish<br />- “vermeil” – 0.8mm, 1mm, 1.2mm<br />- gold-finished copper (includes fancy twist/zigzag/spiral/tub) – 1mm, 1.3mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm<br />- gold-plated brass – 0.7mm<br />Silver finish<br />- sterling silver – 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm<br />- silver-finished copper (includes fancy twist/zigzag/spiral/tub) – 0.8mm, 1mm, 1.2mm-1.4mm, 1.3mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm<br />- silver-finished brass – 0.7mm<br /><br />Thank you!!!<br /><br />(sorry if this posted twice – it ‘hiccuped’ the first time I hit publish)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10246995564240879561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-40841526966921649572015-09-04T03:25:41.530-04:002015-09-04T03:25:41.530-04:00Wonderful series!! So helpful and informative!
...Wonderful series!! So helpful and informative! <br /><br />When using the knotting tool, you say to do the first 3 pearls with the doubled silk thread. I assume I do that with the last 3 pearls of the strand as well.<br /><br />I found your 3 articles after I ordered a Beadalon pearl knotting tool and Griffin silk cord online. Now, I’m going to order Henrietta’s book, gum arabic, and French wire. <br /><br />Is there a “standard” size/type of French wire that's used with pearls? I found so many options on FMG. This is the condensed list:<br />Gold finish<br />- “vermeil” – 0.8mm, 1mm, 1.2mm<br />- gold-finished copper (includes fancy twist/zigzag/spiral/tub) – 1mm, 1.3mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm<br />- gold-plated brass – 0.7mm<br />Silver finish<br />- sterling silver – 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm<br />- silver-finished copper (includes fancy twist/zigzag/spiral/tub) – 0.8mm, 1mm, 1.2mm-1.4mm, 1.3mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm<br />- silver-finished brass – 0.7mm<br /><br />Thank you!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10246995564240879561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-16545374868323753182015-02-06T15:20:34.914-05:002015-02-06T15:20:34.914-05:00Hi Amanda, I'm so sorry for the delay in my re...Hi Amanda, I'm so sorry for the delay in my response. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know how big the pearl holes are. I don’t know of any way to make a measurement which you can compare to the thread size. It’s more of a case of trial and error to figure out. <br /><br />I used Size E silk thread to string my Swarovski pearl necklace and I can be reasonably sure that Size E will work in all Swarovski pearls of that size.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I cannot find the notes I took the last time I restrung my real pearls, which might have been a useful comparison. The best I can tell you is to go to Fire Mountain Gems (online) and purchase their Purely Silk THREAD on cards in sizes B, C, D, and E. They're less than $3 per card, but it's the same THREAD that comes on spools (DON'T BUY CORD). <br /><br />Then follow the instructions in the blog above: "2. Pick Out Your Thread." That will help you to figure out which size works best. Remember that a single strand of the thread must be able to fit through the pearls on each end (6 of them) 4 times. A single strand only needs to go through the rest of the pearls 2 times. Of course, when you actually string your pearls, this thread will be doubled. <br /><br />There are about 20 yards of thread on each card. When you've determined the correct size for your pearls, take as much thread off the card as you need (see blog above) and cut it. Then stretch it according to the instructions in the blog above for silk thread on a spool.<br /><br />I hope this helps. <br />Linda K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01498419059283219622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986635008726328071.post-63777150952267981002015-01-14T20:01:54.117-05:002015-01-14T20:01:54.117-05:00Hi Linda, Thank you for these detailed instruction...Hi Linda, Thank you for these detailed instructions. Best I've seen on the Internet!! I'm restringing the strand of pearls my mother gave me 12 years ago to wear for my wedding day. Going from 18 to 14.5 inches to make it more of a choker. My questions are:<br />A) How do I find out how big the pearl holes are? I also want to use the double string method. Does that mean after I determine the size of the hole, I should purchase string half that size so both cords fit through? <br />B) How do I stretch carded silk thread? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09272223701146198364noreply@blogger.com