Bead Threading

Day 10 Felicity's Challenge.
I absolutely love beads and buttons. I find them very tactile. If there is an opportunity to repair necklaces I'm there! Many many years I was taught how to re-string Pearls, I now use the instructions for any beads, and I thought I would share the instructions with you.

First of all if the beads are of a complicated design draw the design or take a photograph, cut the thread. I always wash glass beads in hot soapy water, for this I use a cereal bowl. Swirl them around with your fingers then leave them to soak for a least an hour or better still overnight. When ready to start re-stringing tip the beads into a fine sieve and drain, tip out on to a towel and rub gently with the towel to dry Trust me they are much nicer to handle when washed!

Lay the beads out as they were originally

Take the thread and cut a piece four times the length of the laid out beads.
Knot and place a safety pin (an important piece of equpment for all beaders!)
at the knot, if you don't you will be forever threading beads
because they have fallen off the end!

String the first few beads

Then add a knot cover finding and a seed bead

Go on a return journey

but do not go through the seed bead.

Pull gently till the thread is tidy.

Pick up the rest of the beads and repeat with the

knot cover and seed bead, then go on a

return journey till you get back to the safety pin

pulling gently to tighten the thread.

Don't cut the thread.

Remove the safety pin and tie the ends together

Thread through the ends through a few beads and

carefully cut the thread

Squash the knot cover over the seed bead and add clasp.

I was requested to use a magnetic clasp, but please

remember to check with the owner of the beads that

they do not have a heart pacemaker, these clasps cannot

be used by these people.