Daily Blogs : thread

How to Add Thread Mid-Project: Tips and Video

Michelle M. — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:43:00 GMT

Though many beaders do it, I don’t like working with long thread. It tangles, it knots, it snags under the casters on my chair, or reels in my cat as she plays with the nest of excess at my feet....(read more)

The Secret to Perfect Thread Tension

Michelle M. — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:03:00 GMT

“It has been taped, cut short, knotted, stuffed into a baggie, wrapped on a spool, and just plain ignored.” In the August/September issue of Beadwork, Master Class author Nancy Cain urges us not to forget about our little ol’ tail thread. In fact, Nancy teaches that utilizing our tail thread is the key to keeping thread tension tight. We all know how frustrating it can be to finish a design and see thread showing between beads or, even worse, end up with floppy, loose beadwork. ...(read more)

Beading Thread 101

Michelle M. — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:20:00 GMT

Many seed-beaders don’t realize that beading threads have different widths, strengths, and qualities and blindly buy their thread based on price, color, or availability. But the type of thread you buy is just as important as the beads themselves. Thread truly is the backbone of an off-loom or loomed piece of beadwork, so should be considered carefully. ...(read more)

Thread is Cheaper Than Frustration and 4 More Thread Tips

Michelle M. — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:07:00 GMT

"Thread is cheaper than frustration." That was some recent advice I received from Bead Expo Philadelphia instructor Liz Smith. I laughed when I read her email because it reminded me of when I started to learn beadweaving. Coming from the world of expensive beading wire, I was afraid of wasting thread so I used these ridiculously short pieces two and three inches long. I struggled to learn the various stitches until one day I used the exact amount of thread (something like 4 feet!) that a project recommended. I couldn't believe how much easier that made everything! That was a big lesson for me: don't be so afraid of wasting thread that you waste a lot of time!

Here are four more thread tips from Bead Fest Philadelphia instructors. Click on the instructor names for more information about them and their classes.

Preparing Your Thread

Many problems with thread can be avoided with a little preparation.

"Easy, breezy, quick and clean way to prepare your beading thread--simply take your working length and PULL it at full strength for a short moment. This slight stretching removes the thread "memory" to curl and provides a straighter fiber, causing far fewer tangles while you work. For those us who dislike the sensation of beeswax or thread conditioners on our fingers, this simple trick can reduce the potential for tangles significantly!"--Christina Vandervlist

At left: Triangles Bracelet by Debi Keir-Nicholson and Christina Vandervlist is being taught at Bead Expo Philadelphia.

Knotting

Dottie's tip on knotting is useful for any type of stringing material whether you're knotting pearls on silk thread or stringing chunky plastic beads on ribbon. I use this tip all the time!

"To get that knot right next to the bead when stringing pearls or doing macrame, try this: Tie a loose overhand knot close to the bead. Insert a T pin or the point of an awl through the center of that knot. Grasp the cord and use the awl to push the loose knot down against the bead. Pull the knot tight around the awl point and pull the point out. Then give it one final push, holding it between your fingers, against the bead. Works every time!"--Dottie Hoeschen

Avoiding "Whiskers"

If you've ever had little bits of thread stick out of your beadwork instead of staying neatly tucked inside the beads, you'll want to try Liz's advice. Start by watching where you cut your thread. Liz recommends that you try not to cut the thread at the knot as "that is a weak spot where the thread could pull out."

"When nearing the end of your thread (and leave at least six inches to play with because thread is cheaper than frustration), make a few half-hitch knots between beads. You can also weave an X as you normally would end a thread. Then string three or four beads next to your last knot (following the thread path), dab a little clear nail polish on the thread, and pull the thread slowly through the beads. The idea is that the glue holds the thread inside the beads so that the whiskers don't pop out. After a few moments, zap the remaining thread. Later, if whiskers do emerge, just pat them gently with your zapper to melt them down."--Liz Smith

Double Crystal Cuff by Liz Smith is being taught at Bead Expo Philadelphia.

Keep Pets Safe

When you've finished beading, make your cleanup quick and safe.

"Make sure to keep needles and all forms of beading thread away from your pets. Even a short length of a few inches of thread can be deadly. I always wrap leftover lengths of thread around two fingers and then cut the coil so the thread becomes harmless. It only takes a moment and can save your pet's life."--Judy Walker

How do you keep thread from tangling or fraying? What kind of thread works best? Share your tips on the website.

Coming This Week: On Wednesday, Jean Campbell will share the special meaning behind gemstones and on Friday, I'll share a free bead embroidery project.

Free Project Library Update: It's spring cleaning time! We will be moving some of the older free projects (May 2007 and earlier) into the Project Store so that designers will be able to earn royalties on those designs in the future. Please take some time this week to download your favorite older projects from the Free Project Library.

Michelle Mach shares beading news, contests, reader galleries, and other beady stuff every Monday on Beading Daily. If you have comments or questions for Michelle, please post them on the website.

The Dangers and Joys of Braided Thread for Beading

Editor — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A First-Aid Kit for Beaders?

How's this for an idea? Beaders should keep a first-aid kit near their workstation. I am constantly running to the medicine cabinet to get a bandage. You know like when you're trying to get at a particularly tricky place in a piece of wirework and the chain-nose pliers slip and nick the skin on your knuckle? Or you jam a needle underneath your nail? Argh!

My current injury--and I should have learned to avoid this by now--is pinky slashing. You might be prone to this if you do beadwork like me, using the pinky of your dominant hand to provide resistance when you pull the thread tight. I often use braided thread --a.k.a. fishing line--like FireLine and Power Pro. It's really tough thread, so my pinky is usually slashed to bits. Come to think of it, braided thread really shouldn't be allowed on airplanes.

Code red!

Tips for Using Braided Thread

Braided thread is red-alert dangerous but at the same time quite divine. Supple yet strong; doesn't fray. I love it. Here are a few tips on using it:

It can be hard to make a clean cut from the spool, but you can do so by slightly opening a pair of Fiskars scissors and pulling the thread over the bottom blade where the blades meet. This works better than actually holding the scissors and cutting the thread with both blades, which frays the end.
Some braided threads are a total hassle to thread. A needle threader can help, or if you're really having a hard time, use a Big Eye needle. I have luck by pinching the very end of the thread between the fingers of one hand while I place the needle down on the thread, feeding the thread up through the eye at the same time.
Most braided threads come in clear, smoke, moss, and white. Clear works really well if you're working with crystals or light-colored seed beads. I end up working with smoke a lot because the dark color recedes into the beadwork. The nice thing about white is that you can color it. I learned this trick from another beader: First cut your thread length. Place a piece of cardboard on your work surface with the thread end on top; touch a permanent marker in the color you're aiming for (Sharpies come in a huge array of colors) to the end of the thread and pull the thread through. Instant colored thread.
Some braided threads have a bit of a greasy residue that can leave black marks on your hands. It probably won't mess up your beadwork, but if it bugs you, just hold a Kleenex or paper towel in one hand while you pull the line through with your other hand. It will take the coating right off.
Braided thread works well for bead weaving, but you can make strung pieces with it, too. I usually use a 4 to 6 lb weight for my beadworked pieces because it's a little thinner. But you could use a 10 lb or even a 20 lb weight for strung pieces that include really heavy beads.
You can get braided thread at most bead shops, but you can also pick up some at a sporting-goods store.

Oh, and don't forget to wear a Band-Aid on your pinky.

Editor's Note: Where can you find pink FireLine? Who has the best price? See what other members have been saying on this topic ("Beginner Project: Peyote Stackable Rings") and join in the conversation!--Michelle Mach

Jean Campbell writes about beading and life every Wednesday on Beading Daily. If you have comments or questions for Jean, please post them on the website. Thanks!

Beginner Project: Peyote Stackable Rings

Editor — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, Jean Campbell talked about not wearing her beaded rings until she was inspired by artist Frida Kahlo who apparently lived by the jewelry motto "more is better"! I confess do not wear my beaded rings either. (I'm sensing the start of a support group here . . . Beaders Without Rings.) Instead, I keep my rings in a little paper box by my office phone because they are fun to play with during those dreaded telemarketer calls. I don't know why I don't wear them. What I do know is that they are fun to make. Even if you decide later that you don't want to wear your rings either (or you just want to join the Beaders Without Rings support group and eat my homemade brownies), you still might want to try one for fun.

A Great Beginner Project

For me, a great beginner project is not just one that is easy in terms of actual steps, but also one that can be completed in a relatively short period of time. I think an hour or two at most is perfect, which is why I never understood the push in knitting to make scarves beginner projects!

Each peyote stitch band is composed of two rows. By wearing more than one ring on your finger, you give the illusion of wearing a ring with a wider band. You also have the option of switching the order of the rings any time you please, giving you a whole new look with minimal effort. The instructions show you how to make a two color band like the rings shown here. However, once you get the basic technique, you'll be able to create your own unique variations.

Free Project: Peyote Stackable Rings by Cathi Tessier

A Word about FireLine

This ring project uses FireLine, which is a thermally produced fishing line that is popular with beaders.

FireLine one of those things you'll either love or hate. (I happen to love it, myself.) One of the benefits of using FireLine is that it's easy to hold onto and so stiff that you may be able to use it without a needle for some projects. This is one of the features I especially like since I tend to drop my needles into the sofa cushions!

I asked Leslie Rogalski, editor of Step by Step Beads, for a few hints about using FireLine. Leslie notes that it is "suitable for almost anything" and comes in different weights. For projects that don't need to bear weight (like earrings), Leslie uses 4 lb. For projects needing power to hold beads together as in bracelets or bails, she uses 8 lb, which she also uses in her rings.

Here's what else you need to know about FireLine:

It has virtually no stretch.
It works well for stiffer beadwork or designs with crystals. (Leslie recommends using it doubled and in projects where the FireLine exits the bead holes straight, so that the edges of the crystals do not have a chance of abrading the thread.)
It does dull scissor blades, so designate a pair of scissors to use for cutting.
It may leave black marks on your fingers, but those wash off easily.

Next Wednesday Jean Campbell will have some additional tips about using FireLine and similar products like PowerPro and Dandy Line. In the meantime, feel free to post your comments and questions on the website. Do you love FireLine? Hate it? Never used it?

Glass Bead Design Challenge

Have you submitted your challenge entry yet? Design a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings with any type of glass beads (including lampwork, Czech pressed glass, or crystals) and you could win a cool new beading book or this beautiful starfish lampwork pendant by Stephanie Sersich. Deadline is Sunday, March 2, 2008. Enter the Glass Bead Challenge.

NEW Free Peyote Stitch Pattern eBook: Our first free beadweaving pattern e-book features 5 peyote stitch projects, plus two full pages of step-by-step illustrated instructions on even- and odd-count peyote, and a sheet of peyote stitch graph paper for creating original jewelry designs. Download Peyote Stitch Projects with BeadingDaily: 5 Free Peyote Stitch Patterns

Michelle Mach shares free beading projects and tips every Friday on Beading Daily. If you have comments or questions for Michelle (including suggestions for future free projects), please share them on the website. Thanks!

Are you up to The Challenge?

Editor — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:00:00 GMT

The First Beading Daily Challenge

I'm SO excited to announce the first challenge for Beading Daily members! I was supposed to wait until Friday to announce it, but frankly, I thought I might explode if I waited any longer!

The theme: It Takes Two Earrings Challenge
For this challenge, combine two--and only two--different techniques from the ten techniques below to create an original pair of earrings.

bead embroidery
brick stitch
Dutch spiral
ladder stitch
macrame
netting
PMC (precious metal clay)
square stitch
stringing
wirework

The Rules

You must be a Beading Daily member to participate. (Your email address will be used to verify that you are a member.) It's free to sign-up if you're not already a member.
Only one submission per person.
Deadline: November 2, 2007.
Winners will be announced November 30, 2007.

To enter, please send an email to: beadingdaily@interweave.com and include:

a high-resolution photo (JPG, 300 dpi) of your finished project
your name
your email address
your phone number (this will be only used to notify you if you win)
project name
the two techniques you used
in the subject line, please include: "earring challenge"

Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Prizes

The editors will select their three favorite entries.

First Place: A $50 gift certificate from Interweave Press.
Second Place: An autographed copy of Mastering Beadwork by Carol Huber Cypher, plus a $10 gift certificate from Interweave Press.
Third Place: An autographed copy of Create Jewelry: Crystals by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett
The winning projects and their designers will showcased on Beading Daily.

More Beading Challanges

If the first Beading Daily challenge doesn't interest you, don't worry. I'm hoping to have many different types of challenges in the future and there is sure to be one that you'll love! In the meantime, here are two other challenges to consider:

You still have time to enter the current Stringing challenge. The theme is "Double Trouble" and the deadline is October 29, 2007.
Beadwork magazine is having a drawing where one lucky reader will get an challenge kit in the mail and create a challenge project that will be published in the magazine. Deadline for the drawing is November 5, 2007.

Coming on Wednesday: The results of the latest poll on favorite metals, the Bead Arts Awards, and more about this week's featured project.

Thanks to Beading Daily readers Suzanne, Myrna, and Linda who suggested that I use a marker to color my white Nymo thread (see A Case of Bead Doom). That never occurred to me! It seems a little sacrilegious--like writing in a library book. Does anyone else do that? (Color your thread, not write in library books. I don't want to hear your tales about writing in library books!)

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She is currently writing instructions for a bracelet with beaded beads that will be available for free to Beading Daily members.

A Case of Bead Doom

Editor — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:00:00 GMT

A Case of Bead Doom

On Wednesday ("Make Your Own Pendant"), I wrote about creating the Love Birds Necklace, my Beadwork challenge piece. After finishing the pendant, I thought the necklace needed something more--like individual seed bead daisies attached to a handful of the beads in the necklace.

Warning: If you're the type of person who thinks that editors are just naturally perfect (and want to keep that illusion), please skip down to the next section ("Thread Tip").

For the rest of you . . .

I was working on the necklace on a Sunday night (yes, it was due on Monday!) and had limited thread options at hand: white Nymo or brown embroidery thread. Can you see my dilemma? The Nymo would have been a better thread choice, but the white was not aethestically pleasing against the dark beads. So, I went with the brown embroidery thread. How bad could it be? Ugh! It was so hard to handle and kept fraying. Once the piece came back from photography, I did end up redoing it with brown Nymo. So here's bead tip number one: resist the temptation to use embroidery thread for beading!

Here's the second tip: While the thread used on the pendant is neatly stitched into the satin cord, the thread on the individual daisy-embellished beads is exposed to the elements, making it the weakest part of the piece. (Dustin Wedekind, author of Getting Started with Seed Beads, calls this thread exposure "bead doom.") Since this necklace was just for me--and I have a habit of taking things apart when I get tired of them--this was not a major concern for me. If you are designing a similar piece to give away or sell, or you want an heirloom piece to hand down through the generations, think about covering the leading and exiting threads with additional seed beads, choosing smaller pearls or nuggets so that less thread is exposed, or eliminating the embellishments altogether.

Thread Tip from a Beading Daily Reader

"Always start a new thread when you are starting to do a totally new step like attaching a clasp, making fringe or edging, or adding ornamentation or loops to the top of the work. Using a separate thread ensures that if this thread breaks, the whole piece doesn't unravel in your hands." --Mary Alexander

Two New Beadmaking Projects

Go with the Flow Polymer Pendant

Check out these new projects from the editors of Step by Step Beads:

Go with the Flow Polymer Pendants by Christi Friesen
To create these pendants, you'll need blue, green, and yellow polymer clay, gold leaf, 28-gauge craft wire, and beads like pearls or crystals to use for embellishment. Visit www.cforiginals.net to see more polymer creations by Christi Friesen.
Playground Bracelet Beads by Kerry Bogert
Get your torch ready to make these bold and colorful lampworked disc and bubble beads. More work by Kerry Bogert is available on her website: www.kabsconcepts.com.

Have you voted yet?

What's your favorite metal to use when designing? Voting will end on Sunday, October 7. I'll share the answers next week.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the voting for free projects. We will be doing this again with another set of projects--stay tuned!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. On her bead board: an unfinished necklace and an unfinished pair of earrings. Are you sensing a theme?