When you have a mind to make a nice litlle beaded strap for a purse or a cute little bracelet or even a flashy hip belt, you have to string your own beads and that too securley, so that it doesnot come apart as you go about your business.
What to string the beads on?
You can use a variety of threads to string your beads.
The cheapest is always a fishing line. It is sturdy as a plastic thread (better than normal sewing thread) but the problem with fishing line is that it can harden and break off after some time.
So it is always better to use waxed nylon threads. These are recommended as a very sturdy and long lasting thread for stringing beads. Other options are Jewelry wire of size: 0.012” (0.30 mm), waxed cord, soutache cord, Polyester thread used for crochet, micromacrame and kumihimo etc.
Silamide Beading Thread is a pre-waxed 100% double twisted nylon thread. Super-Lon is another waxed nylon thread brand. Another recommended brand is Toho.
Choose stringing thread according to the hole of your beads. If the bead has very large hole, you will need to use thicker stringing material or make big knots in between. If your beads are of different sized holes, then choose according to the smallest hole.
How much thread should be taken for stringing?
Decide on the desired length of the beads; add 4 inches or 10 centimeters. This is for normal stringing. For knotting you will have to take more.
How to string beads
Get the bead and thread ready
Turn the edge of the thread in the shape of a loop as in the picture above. If you are going to use seed beads, You should know that 5 grams of 11 size seed beads equals approximately 1000 beads.
Insert the thread
Insert the looped side through the bead.
Tighten Through the loop
Bring the other side of the thread through the loop.
Pull it tight
This will create a loop over the thread
Stringing variations
You can string beads in different sizes and shapes for interest. One or two or multiple small beads can be strung between big beads.
Using bead hardware
Usually crimp beads are used to keep the end of the thread in place and attached to the clasp. To use the crimp bead, insert the crimp bead on the beading thread and then the clasp, and then go back through the crimp bead with the beading thread. Crush the crimp bead with pliers. Now start stringing the beads.
Knotting technique
When you have delicate pearls and you want to string it to make a chain for a bag or as jewelry it is better to make a knotted stringing. This involves making small knots between the beads. This will add strength to the chain and also protect the beads from hitting each other and the surface glaze wearing off.
Something like this.
If you are stringing beads or pearls of varying sizes you may need to layout the beads on a bead designing board. This is convenient so that you do not get confused.
You can make simple knots in between the beads or make double knots.
Single knots between the beads
To make a simple knot, just make a simple loop and tighten the knot. You may have to use a plier or tweezer to get the loop close to the bead as you tighten it, otherwise the knot will be made away from the bead. The knot will have to be as close to the bead as possible, this cannot be stressed enough
You can also checkout the post on making other basic knots.
Double knots between beads
Making a double knot may be necessary if the hole of the bead is bigger. Or to make the knot look prominent.
To make this kind of double knot, make two loops on the thread.
Insert the end of the thread from under the loop to the top.
Bring it all the way up.
Tighten the thread.
Make your first knot.
String the beads on either side of the knot.
And then start to make the next knot. For that, make a loop close to the bead.
Then make the next loop on top and then bring the other end of the thread through under the loop and tighten to make the next loop.(The same method as earlier).
Related posts : How to make Bead embroidered flowers ; Bead embroidery stitches ; Names of beads ; Make a Double woven Bead chain : Tutorial
