Focal bead doesn't lay flat

ttyson76 wrote

on May 19, 2012 3:57 PM

Hi Everybody!

I have a necklace I made with a focal bead that doesn't lay flat because the hole was drilled at "true center."  The focal bead is a white quartz disc about the size of a half dollar with reticulated black tourmaline running through it.  The disc wants to "table out" when I wear it.   Any suggestions?  I don't want to use body tape.

KipperCat wrote

on May 19, 2012 9:01 PM

I have a few thoughts, but it would really help to see a picture of the necklace, or at least to know how it is constructed.  Is is strung with beads on either side?  If so what size/type of beads?  Is it made with a beadweaving stitch?  These kind of things will make a difference in approaching this.

ttyson76 wrote

on May 19, 2012 10:13 PM

Any help is appreciated.

KipperCat wrote

on May 19, 2012 10:39 PM

Oh, that is lovely.  Not so sure my ideas wouldn't detract from the lines, but I'll be back i n a minute

Hookfu wrote

on May 19, 2012 10:43 PM

You might try changing the orientation of the drill line and use a decorative headpin. But... that would change the look of your wonderful necklace.

KipperCat wrote

on May 19, 2012 11:09 PM

The best option I can think of is to glue a small weight on the lower back of the focal bead.  You could experiment with taping something there, then glue if it works.  I've no idea if a penny would be heavy enough.

This is sort of what I had in mind before I saw your necklace.  Tiny beadwoven strips or rows of seedbeads should hold the focal in place.  They would need to run behind the bead also.  Something very similar could be done with wire. 

Best of luck - please let us know what you find to handle this.

SEllen 2 wrote

on May 20, 2012 11:07 AM

ttyson

I think I have an idea that might work... but I need to know if you can work with wire.

Do you make your own findings?

ttyson76 wrote

on May 20, 2012 1:10 PM

I'm learning how to make some of my own findings, but shying away from a torch.  I have limited experience with wire-wore the finish off the metal on one of my pieces.  Novice at wire working.....

ttyson76 wrote

on May 20, 2012 1:15 PM

Thank you for suggesting this as an option because the piece is called "Night and Day."  Reworking the piece and changing the orientation of the focal bead would actually make the rutilated tourmaline look like clouds on the full moon white quartz.  Originally I didn't want to drop the piece into a headpin, but after the bead started turning when I wore it, it changed my perspective.  Many thanks!