String Small Size Pearls (or other beads) More Quickly

by Wanda
(Los Angeles, CA)

String Pearls More Quickly

Recently, I strung a five-strand pearl torsade necklace using 5-6mm size pearls. (That's a lot of pearls!)

While stringing the first strand, I discovered a short cut to string the pearls more quickly.

I decreased my stringing time by threading the pearls onto the beading wire before I removed them from their temporary string.

It's so simple, I don't know why I hadn't tried it before.

Directions:

With the pearls still on their temporary string, hold three or four pearls between your index finger and thumb.

With the beading wire acting as a thread, guide it through the hole of each pearl.

Then, gently pull the temporary thread from the pearls in the opposite direction, leaving the pearls on the beading wire.

The next time you're stringing pearls, you'll get done more quickly...How cool is that?!

Wanda
Making Beaded Jewelry

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String Small Size Pearls (or other beads) More Quickly

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time-saver
by: Rena

Excellent tip, Wanda!

That must be light-years speedier than stringing tiny beads one by one.

I'll bet it's easier on the eyes too, for those of us who are of bifocal-wearing age!

Thank you so much for sharing this great beading shortcut, Wanda!

Wonderful Tip!
by: Michelle Buettner

This is a wonderful tip! I have heard it works well with seed beads, too - any tiny beads if their hole is big enough to accommodate the two threads/strings at once.
Thanks so much for sharing this!

That's A No Brainer!
by: Janice

Good grief that's so simple!
I should have thought of that, I take off and put on fresh water pearls all the time...THANKS SO MUCH for posting this.

Janice
Szarina Designs
szarinadesigns.etsy.com

What if you're not using beading wire?
by: Jan

I use .7mm Stretch Magic and stringing seed beads or any other beads for that matter is very time-consuming. But since Stretch Magic is not rigid like beading wire, any ideas on how I can string beads faster? I would love you forever! haha

Thanks for your TIP
by: Elizabeth

Brilliant! Thanks so MUCH. I'm loving it.

Flexible Beading Needle Speeds Stringing Small Hole Beads
by: Wanda

Hello Ladies,

Jan asked an excellent question!

If you're using a 'flimsy' stringing material such as Stretch Magic to string stretch bracelets or bead cord for stringing pearls, try using a flexible beading needle to thread the small hole beads onto your stringing material.

A flexible beading needle is made of finely twisted wire and has a loop on one end. Thread your stringing material through the loop. Then, thread your beads onto the flexible beading needle and down onto the stringing material. The loop will collapse as it goes through the hole in the beads. Continue to string your beads.

When you're done stringing your beads, simply cut the stringing material below the collapsed loop. Now, you have a strung strand of beads to finish as you normally would.

Flexible beading needles come attached to most bead cord used to string pearls, but are sold separately in packages of a few as well.

To be sure it could be done, I just tried this beading technique with .5mm Stretch Magic cord and size 11/0 seed beads. I had to work the seed beads down the cord with my fingers, but I was able to quickly pick up several with the flexible beading needle.

So, Jan, I'm pretty sure that this will work with your .7mm cord. If not, respond back and we'll try something else.

Better yet, if anyone else has an idea let us all know by leaving a tip!

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Submitted by: Wanda

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Hello Ladies, Jan asked an excellent question! If you're using a 'flimsy' stringing material such as Stretch Magic to string stretch bracelets or bead cord for stringing pearls, try using a flexible beading needle to thread the small hole beads onto your stringing material. A flexible beading needle is made of finely twisted wire and has a loop on one end. Thread your stringing material through the loop. Then, thread your beads onto the flexible beading needle and down onto the stringing material. The loop will collapse as it goes through the hole in the beads. Continue to string your beads. When you're done stringing your beads, simply cut the stringing material below the collapsed loop. Now, you have a strung strand of beads to finish as you normally would. Flexible beading needles come attached to most bead cord used to string pearls, but are sold separately in packages of a few as well. To be sure it could be done, I just tried this beading technique with .5mm Stretch Magic cord and size 11/0 seed beads. I had to work the seed beads down the cord with my fingers, but I was able to quickly pick up several with the flexible beading needle. So, Jan, I'm pretty sure that this will work with your .7mm cord. If not, respond back and we'll try something else. Better yet, if anyone else has an idea let us all know by leaving a tip!

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stringing pearls
by: Anonymous

That sounds easy enough but what about the knots
between the pearls. And if you leave them out will that damage the pearls or make them look less authentic???

Stringing Pearls
by: Wanda

When stringing pearls onto beading wire there is no knot between the beads. It's an easier way to string pearls. And, yes it does look less authentic.

So, if you love the knots between pearls, you'll need to use beading cord, not beading wire.

Of course, when simply stringing pearls there is a chance of damaging the pearls over a period of time. But, we are working with freshwater pearls. These are less expensive and more plentiful than say Tahitian or salt water pearls (which we wouldn't dream of stringing on beading wire, would we? :-)).

So, if the strand becomes damaged, simply use any leftovers (or buy more pearls) to replace the damaged pearls.

Ultimately, go with your preference.