When I'm doing a multi-strand necklace I use the little sized paper clamps. They work fine, are small, but strong enough to hold on the wire without coming loose.
Hi Smiletu, I use children's hair clips to hold my projects - they work great. Also, you can string right on to the wire roll that you're using and not cut it until you're finished.
Seems that all I did was to finish off the strand and continue until I was finished with however many strands I wanted..
What I find works great is a bead stop, an item made specifically for that purpose. It's a small coiled spring which pinches open/closed on the end of your beading wire. Here is a link for FireMountainGems, so you can see what it looks like. If the link doesn't work, just use their search engine with "bead stopper". Hope this helps:)
view link
If you don't have any of those things around a piece of tape wrapped around your wire works also. Just be sure you put the tape far enough up the wire so it does not slide off.'
You certainly are a great group to work with, THANKS for all your suggestions on this matter. I believe one has caught my eye and will try it.
Recently new in creating jewelry and have two earrings in the beginning stage and it is exciting...
I find the searching and trying to find bargains on beads etc. is the most exhausting part of this or anything in-fact. Whew.
Anxious to look over many of your creations and enjoy your part in this journey....
I order a lot through FireMountain (I don't work for them) and have found this company to be very competitive with prices. I have also used Hobby Lobby on occasion but they have really closed down their jewelry area in my local store to just a row of items and the selection is not that great. I've found cool stuff at Wal-Mart (once in a while) but you have to keep your eye out as they too have cut down on space and items. I've found a couple of really nice pendants there that I built a necklace around.
Hello - I have shopped around for bead & finding bargains ever since I started beading 10 years ago. I found the bead shows that come to our city offer the best prices on strands of beads, pendants, findings, etc. However the bead shows don't come to our city but maybe 4 times/year and in the meantime I have found www.Etsy.com to offer good prices on separate groups of beads (called destash) and findings. Some sellers sell only beads and findings and can offer the best prices. No, I don't own stock in Etsy but I do have an Etsy shop www.nardiesarttowear.Etsy.com and so does my daughter www.moonlilydesigns.Etsy.com - check them out.
Thanks goldy I will watch out for bead shows whenever they come to Indy.
Girls had a time yesterday working with ear-rings and my eyes got so tired. I figure today I need to purchase a nice standing magnifying glass to see better while working and also a light much closer to help ease the tiring of my eyes...is this the method you all use???
So far the creating is fun, learning from each new mistake I make. I completed one set of ear-rings to best of my try....I am sure it gets better and looks more professional as we move forward? Has small gold base, with hearts within, and with dangle purple heart, gold heart, a bead that picked up colors and making the rings from post is a hoot...but learning each time. Taking pictures of each new creative piece, will share later when my personal scanner is back up..THANKS
*Gardenfairey, I found lots of bargains in an area fabric shop and was exciting to pay only 50 cents worth $3.99 or $2.99 pack...great huh?
SMILETU, i use a visor that I got for setting gemstones. Has magnifer lenses and sets on my head - like a hat. I can still wear my glasses and with the visor, can see pretty darn good close up. The visor swivles so I can push it up out of the way when I don't need it. Also, have and use a solder "extra-hand" goodie with an attached magnifying glass which works really good for soldering jump rings.
We don't get bead shows here but I do have a gal-pal on Etsy so I am familiar with it.
I'll check out Jo-Ann fabrics the next time I'm in San Antonio.
Thanks!
