printer friendly versionQ.
As a water media artist, I am new to beading. I am confused by all the choices. I am painting portraits on small round pieces of wood. Some have become brooches; I want to make some as necklaces. Do I need to use fine wire or silk thread or something else for the necklace part, so I can add beads? If I use wire, can I make jumprings from it in order to attach the painting to the necklace?
- Paula
A.
Of the many choices you have for stringing material, many customers prefer to use Accu-Flex® professional quality beading wire, it's flexible, strong and easy to work with. Finish the ends using crimp beads and a clasp.
This type of beading wire is different than the type of wire used for jumprings, and comes in a variety of metals including brass, sterling silver and gold-filled types.
If the wood pendants have holes drilled in them, attach a jumpring (which you can purchase premade or make by coiling round sterling silver or gold-filled wire then cutting the coils into rings), ice-pick or pinch bail through the hole then incorporate the jumpring or bail into your strung beaded design so the pendant hangs properly.
If the wood pendants are not drilled, there are a few options you can choose from, which will allow you to incorporate your painted designs into a beaded necklace:
This type of beading wire is different than the type of wire used for jumprings, and comes in a variety of metals including brass, sterling silver and gold-filled types.
If the wood pendants have holes drilled in them, attach a jumpring (which you can purchase premade or make by coiling round sterling silver or gold-filled wire then cutting the coils into rings), ice-pick or pinch bail through the hole then incorporate the jumpring or bail into your strung beaded design so the pendant hangs properly.
If the wood pendants are not drilled, there are a few options you can choose from, which will allow you to incorporate your painted designs into a beaded necklace:
- Round, half-round or square sterling silver or gold-filled wire can be used to create a freeform wire wrap, capturing the pendant securely. Finish the wire wrap with a coiled, simple or wrapped loop at the top to form a bail you can use when stringing.
- Glue on flat-pad or fold-over bails using Loctite 454® gel or The Ultimate! Adhesive.
- Pendant settings are designed to hold different types of stones, beads and other materials using fabricated prongs, bezels or adhesives and are finished with a loop on top.
- Jumprings
- Bails
- Glue on flat-pad bails
- Glue on fold-over bails
- Accu-Flex® professional quality beading wire
- Crimp beads and crimp tubes
- Clasps
- Settings
- Loctite 454® gel adhesive
- The Ultimate! adhesive
