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Posted by Anna Draeger · June 30, 2008
Q How can I keep the twist in a twisted necklace? A I have received this question more than once, and I had to play around with the idea for a while. I have decided that the easiest way to keep a twist is to work with wire instead of flexible beading wire. Multiple strands hold their shape when wire is the stringing material used. After many failed attempts and some lame outcomes, I decided that there is a reason I don't do much stringing. But...
Posted by Anna Draeger · May 30, 2008
Q How do you come up with designs for beaded jewelry? A I've been asked this question countless times while teaching a class, or at the Bead&Button Show. Crystals are my favorite design element Most of the time when I sit down to create a new pattern, or incorporate a cool new style of bead into a design, the act of just working with the materials ends up resulting in some sort of jewelry. Not right away, of course, but if I work long enough...
Posted by Anna Draeger · May 13, 2008
Q I have been attending gem and jewelry shows for a while, and it is really hard for me to buy pearls. I always find myself wondering what is fake or just low quality. Often strands of pearls look the same, but the price points are starkly different. How does a beader buy the best pearls and know she is getting quality? Andrea L. Dono Falls Church, VA A That is a really good question, Andrea. There are several things to consider when buying pearls...
Posted by Anna Draeger · March 31, 2008
Q I know some glass seed beads are color dyed. Besides doing the sunlight, chemical, and detergent experiments I've read about, is there any way to know if a bead is dyed? By manufacturer? By glass type (opaque, color-lined, transparent)? I especially want to bead some breast cancer awareness ribbon pins, but all the pink beads I find look "fishy." Question #2: Is it possible to read all the questions and answers in Ask Anna? Lori Williams...
Posted by Anna Draeger · February 29, 2008
Q I bought a 2 x 1-in. (5 x 2.5 cm) gold-foil glass pendant, but I can’t find a bail that is large enough to fit the thickness (about ¼ in./6 mm). Can you suggest a solution besides stringing a cord through the hole? Thank you, Dorothy Siu Leandro, CA A Thanks for your question, Dorothy. I have a few ideas for you. Use wire-wrapping techniques to make a customized bail that is as simple or elaborate as you like. Or you could string a few beads on...
Posted by Anna Draeger · February 1, 2008
Q I would like to make a ring using good quality stretch material. Can you tell me what to buy and how to use it? Thanks, Donna Klotch Hampton Falls, New Hampshire A That is a good question, Donna. Whether you are making rings, bracelets, or other elastic jewelry, here are two kinds of elastic cord that should be used for beading. The first cord has a single filament, which is mainly used with larger-holed beads. You string the beads directly on the...
Posted by Anna Draeger · January 4, 2008
Q I recently purchased a broken liquid-silver necklace from a jeweler friend who was going to melt the beads down. I just couldn't let him do that with all those gorgeous silver beads. I need to restring the beads, but I am not sure what to string them on. They are very tiny, and I want to make the necklace as strong as possible. Any suggestions? Thanks, Paula Lawrence A I don't blame you for rescuing these tiny treasures. The appearance and...
Posted by Anna Draeger · January 3, 2008
Q I purchased some angular stone beads at a show, only to get them home and realize they weren't beads - they were cabochons. Can you give me some tips on bezeling these with peyote stitch so I can incorporate them into a necklace? - Samantha Mitchell A When working with sharp angles, the sizes and styles of beads is important to consider. Here are a few examples of what I came up with using seed beads. In photo a , I worked the first two rounds...
Posted by Anna Draeger · January 3, 2008
Q I am trying to stitch a necklace with that includes several focal beads with about six inches of spiral rope on either side. The overall length will be about 18 inches. Here is my problem-I want to end the spirals at the point where the glass beads begin, but I can't make it flow. What should I do? - Debbie Melter A In order to stitch a fluid design in spiral rope with a section of focal beads, you need to start with a base row. Secure one end...
Posted by Anna Draeger · January 2, 2008
I have been designing beaded jewelry and accessories for 17 years. In that time, I have concentrated mostly on off-loom beading techniques, although I have made loomed amulet bags and countless bracelets. My favorite stitches are Peyote, Ndebele herringbone, and right-angle weave, but I love the versatility of all the stitches. When I first started beading, I learned one stitch at a time, making projects until I felt comfortable with it. Then I tried...
Bead&Button Associate Editor Anna Elizabeth Draeger answers your questions about beading techniques - stitches, tools, design, and more - in this monthly column.
Click here to submit your question.
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