Don't Laugh. Okay, You Can

This is my first real "beading" attempt. The only reason I tried it is because I have a favorite pearl necklace with a broken clasp. I can only imagine how much money the jeweler would charge to re-string and re-knot the thing. (Especially after they charged me $15 to replace the battery of my running watch a few months back -- I had the $2 replacement battery, but couldn't remove the backing.) I decided to see if I might be able to learn to do it myself.

Thankfully I was able to find some tutorials and a video on YouTube to get me on my way. As you can see, it's not the prettiest thing in sight, but I was able to practice stringing and knotting.


I think the main problem with this necklace has to do with the knots (even though they were four strands thick). The knots are slightly smaller than the holes in the beads and doesn't keep the beads in place so they slide around a bit. I think I will cut this sucker apart and start over. And see if I can buy another strand of those turquoise beads. I bought the last strand in the store, but I'd like the necklace to be a little longer.

As for the pearl necklace? Well, I have a lot of practice ahead of me before I take it apart.

(The inspiration for this necklace came from here. I really dig the orange + turquoise together. I'm an orange-kind-of gal.)

Comments

christy said…
ooh i like that orange and turquoise ensemble.
keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it.
you should have seen the lady string my pearl necklace in Hong Kong it was amazing to sit and watch her do it so well and so fast. cory is going back, he should get it on video.
1:42 PM EST
Diane said…
one piece of advice . . . jewlery making for dummies (that's me!). Love that cheapo book!
11:00 PM EST
Lori B said…
Love the colors on that. You might look for a new jeweler. Mine replaces batteries for free (I supply the battery).
8:04 AM EST
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reusable Swiffer WetJet Cloths

Image
I promised myself that, when I bought a box of Swiffer WetJet refills at the wholesale club, it would be the last box I bought. Something had to be done. Now, to be honest, part of the reason was to help the environment, but the other part was because I was tired of running out of those darn things. I took some towels, folded them in half cut them into 5" widths. (The towel was just about 25" or so from side to side when flat.) Then I cut two 5" pieces of elastic and serged it all together. Two layers of toweling and two elastic strips. That's it. (The finished piece was approximately 4.75" x 12.") Within minutes I had a stack of eight. Slide them on and mop away. You will have a clean floor and have saved one more thing from ending up in the landfill. Now, if I can just do something about the cleaning liquid ... Something environmentally-friendly, economical, and won't cause further pain to my arthritic back.
Read more

39

Image
It's that time of year again. The one that seems to come faster and closer every year. Yes, today I am 39. (That means I'm almost 40! Aaaahh!) To keep in tradition with years' past , I decided to do a list of things you might not know about me . (My best friend loves these posts, so this is in honor of her. You know who you are.) I ran 1 3/4 miles this morning. I gained 3-4 pounds after Sawyer weaned himself this year. Since starting to run, Joe has said that my thighs are "as tight as when we were first married." I didn't realize my thighs weren't tight. Hmmm. I guess six kids can do that to you. I need a new mattress. We bought our last mattress when I was in labor with Carter . That was ten years ago. We also bought a set of bunk beds that day. I want a new sofa. Actually two new sofas. I'm waiting until Sawyer is potty-trained. I'm planning on training him as soon as school lets out in June. Sometimes I plan ahead. Sometimes I procrasti
Read more

The Big Three

Image
No, I'm not talking about "The Big Three" automakers. I'm talking about my blog birthday ! Today is my third blog birthday. Three. Years . Man, time flies. In honor of my birthday, I am having a giveaway. You don't have one chance to win. Or even two chances. You have three chances to win. I have three snowman dish towels and three bars of handmade chocolate-mint soap that need new homes. Just leave a comment (on this post) for a chance to win. If you can, please tell me how you found my blog, how long you've been visiting, and if you have a favorite/most memorable post, please share it. I will randomly pick three names some time on Wednesday. * * * * * * Wow! Where have you been all my bloggy life? I can't believe all the wonderful comments I've gotten on this post. Thank you! I wish I had 67 snowman towels and bars of soap to giveaway to send to each of you. I used a random number generator to pick the winners of this giveaway. They are as foll
Read more