Finishing knotted silk necklaces

I have this vision for a necklace I want to make, and it involves
knotted silk cord... you know the stuff that's like rolled, dyed silk
ribbon? I have two related questions; one, do you have any experience
knotting this stuff between beads... is that an OK idea, or will it
stretch? Is there a better natural material I could use? It has to have
that "look and feel" of silk, is the only thing. It also has to be at
least a little sexy-sounding, LOL!

Second, more crucial question... the necklace will be fairly heavy and
I'd like to finish it with a high-quality safety clasp, maybe even 18k
gold, but I don't know what to do with the ENDS. I want something that
will be really durable, but I have *no* experience with finishing this
sort of thing. Do you know what a good finishing method might be, or
have any pointers for researching some? Bead tips with glue kind of
scare me... are they *really* strong enough, would they withstand the
test of time? I've also seen cord crimp tips... they're pretty too, but
are they going to hold up?

I will certainly have to do some practice knotting, so I may do a couple
of test-run necklaces with silver clasps before I try to finish "the
one". Any feedback on this project is welcome... it's been stewing in
the back of my mind for I think going on two years, and it's TIME.

Thanks!

-Kalera

Second, more crucial question... the necklace will be fairly heavy and
I'd like to finish it with a high-quality safety clasp, maybe even 18k
gold, but I don't know what to do with the ENDS. I want something that
will be really durable, but I have *no* experience with finishing this
sort of thing. Do you know what a good finishing method might be, or
have any pointers for researching some? Bead tips with glue kind of
scare me... are they *really* strong enough, would they withstand the
test of time? I've also seen cord crimp tips... they're pretty too, but
are they going to hold up?

Hi, Kalera,

Eni Oken has a tutorial on her site at
http://www.enioken.com/jewelry/lessons.html with a great free lesson on
how to finish leather cord, which would also work well with silks.

I am planning to try some variations on her lesson to do leather and
other cords. It looks like a very useful system.

Make sure to post photos?

-Su

www.tillermanbeads.co.uk
www.britishlampwork.co.uk

Silk will stretch - so especially if your pendant is big, that might
not be such a good idea. Rayon will take dye very nicely, and is very
silky feeling, so I would be tempted to go with that.

Karin

If the holes are big you can use satin rattail.
I have used it. I used some ribbon clamps for the ends but they are only
plated ones.
Shirley





In message , Kalera
Stratton writes
I have this vision for a necklace I want to make, and it involves
knotted silk cord... you know the stuff that's like rolled, dyed silk
ribbon? I have two related questions; one, do you have any experience
knotting this stuff between beads... is that an OK idea, or will it
stretch? Is there a better natural material I could use? It has to have
that "look and feel" of silk, is the only thing. It also has to be at
least a little sexy-sounding, LOL!

Second, more crucial question... the necklace will be fairly heavy and
I'd like to finish it with a high-quality safety clasp, maybe even 18k
gold, but I don't know what to do with the ENDS. I want something that
will be really durable, but I have *no* experience with finishing this
sort of thing. Do you know what a good finishing method might be, or
have any pointers for researching some? Bead tips with glue kind of
scare me... are they *really* strong enough, would they withstand the
test of time? I've also seen cord crimp tips... they're pretty too, but
are they going to hold up?

I will certainly have to do some practice knotting, so I may do a
couple of test-run necklaces with silver clasps before I try to finish
"the one". Any feedback on this project is welcome... it's been stewing
in the back of my mind for I think going on two years, and it's TIME.

Thanks!

-Kalera

--
Shirley Shone

http://www.allcrafts.demon.co.uk

But you can pre-stretch silk. I do. I tie a mug (or other heavy
object) to the ends, place a towel over the top of a door, and put my
cord over the towel with a mug on each end. I leave it overnight or
longer.

``````````````````````````````````
karin wrote:
Silk will stretch - so especially if your pendant is big, that might
not be such a good idea. Rayon will take dye very nicely, and is very
silky feeling, so I would be tempted to go with that.

Karin

I think Kalera's talking about the matte-finish silk wrinkley ribbons
(they're misnamed "cords") that are sweeping the market here in the US.
They're totally different from rattail.

Kalera, I wish you were HERE -- I'd show you how to finish it using
beadcaps and other stuff -- strong, too. BLEAGH! POO.

`````````````````````````````````````````
Shirley Shone wrote:
If the holes are big you can use satin rattail.
I have used it. I used some ribbon clamps for the ends but they are only
plated ones.
Shirley

That is something else that has not reached the UK
Shirley




In message .com, Dr.
Sooz writes
I think Kalera's talking about the matte-finish silk wrinkley ribbons
(they're misnamed "cords") that are sweeping the market here in the US.
They're totally different from rattail.

Kalera, I wish you were HERE -- I'd show you how to finish it using
beadcaps and other stuff -- strong, too. BLEAGH! POO.

`````````````````````````````````````````
Shirley Shone wrote:
If the holes are big you can use satin rattail.
I have used it. I used some ribbon clamps for the ends but they are only
plated ones.
Shirley


--
Shirley Shone

http://www.allcrafts.demon.co.uk

I bought a kit with silk cords and beads at Bead and Button. Six cords
and three strings of beads. To finish the ends the cord was impaled on
wire and hidden in a sterling silver cone. The wire came out through the
cone, a few beads to match the strings of beads were added then the toggle
clasp attached and the wire wrapped to finish it off.

The nine threads, all in shades of colbalt and turquoise were all put
through a central pendant. No other beads were on the silk cords.

Hope the idea of a cone helps.

Cheers, Jan

Su wrote:

Hi, Kalera,

Eni Oken has a tutorial on her site at
http://www.enioken.com/jewelry/lessons.html with a great free lesson on
how to finish leather cord, which would also work well with silks.

Oh, thanks, Su! That looks like a possible avenue.

I am planning to try some variations on her lesson to do leather and
other cords. It looks like a very useful system.

Make sure to post photos?

I will, for sure!


--
-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.bridgetownglass.com
On eBay: http://www.snurl.com/1sfe

Jan G wrote:
I bought a kit with silk cords and beads at Bead and Button. Six cords
and three strings of beads. To finish the ends the cord was impaled on
wire and hidden in a sterling silver cone. The wire came out through the
cone, a few beads to match the strings of beads were added then the toggle
clasp attached and the wire wrapped to finish it off.

The nine threads, all in shades of colbalt and turquoise were all put
through a central pendant. No other beads were on the silk cords.

Hope the idea of a cone helps.

Cheers, Jan

Hmmmm, cones sound pretty and professional-looking. I will see if I can
find them in gold. Thanks Jan!


--
-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.bridgetownglass.com
On eBay: http://www.snurl.com/1sfe