Hopefully Helpful Hints and Resources

Here are a few quick notes on resources and a few helpful hints.

Resources:

I most often use C-lon nylon beading cord because of its ease of use, and durability. I get my C-lon nylon beading cord from Jewels in Fiber. Her prices are reasonable, and she provides excellent customer service.

Particular beads (and brands) listed (in my patterns) are because they have holes large enough to accommodate project requirements. I get most of my beads from "Fire Mountain Gems". Occasionally, I find some at Walmart or my local Hobby Lobby.

I use Jewelry Glue by Delta, a waterproof glue made for gluing jewels, sequins, etc to fabric. It dries clear and has flexibility. An alternative is super glue, or any glue used to glue gems & jewels to fabric. Glue, buttons, pins, and scissors can be found at Walmart or any sewing supplies outlet.

Work surface: I like my old Puzzle Pad mouse pad, it is 1/2 inch thick and works very well. Alternatives include a cork (bulletin type) board, macrame board, anything that you can secure the top of the piece and the bottom of the holding cords to. Work surface will most likely be found at a hobby store.

Helpful Hints:

To stiffen the ends of the cord, making it easier to string the beads: Snip the ends of the cord on a diagonal (making a point). Brush the ends of the strands of cord with clear finger nail polish. Twist the ends with thumb and forefinger (following the natural twist of the cord). You will get a little polish on your fingers which you can get off with polish remover. (Using fingers helps prevent polish from drying unevenly.) Let dry. Recent tip received from another beader is to apply super glue near the end of the cord, leaving a tail to hold. Twist and hold til dry, then snip the end diagonally. This keeps the glue off your fingers. I have not yet tried it this way, but it sounds good.

Terminology: Knotting cords are the ones used to make the knots, and the holding cords are the ones (usually pinned to work surface) that hold the knots.

Important: For consistency sake, decide your dominant side and always work from that side. I am right side dominant, so I always work from the right and I write instructions accordingly. Exceptions: when the design calls for specific effect requiring reversal. For example, I make all my Half Knots from the right except when making Square Knots. When making Square Knots, I first make Half Knot from the right, then one from the left. When making earrings, work the first one according to your dominant side. When making the 2nd one, work from the non-dominant side.

How to Thread 4 Strands of Cord Through One Bead

Some projects require 4 strands of cord to pass through the hole in a bead. Here is a hopefully helpful hint on how to do this.


This can be a little tricky as the hole is sometimes a tight fit. The first 2 cords are usually easy. On the 3rd and 4th cords through, it is helpful if you lay the cord parallel into the previously threaded cords. Then by slowly pulling on the cords already through the bead, pull the active cord through with them. Use your thumbnail to guide the tip of the cord into the hole of the bead. Resist the urge to push it through, as this usually results in fraying and bunching. If this happens, just snip the end, repaint with finger nail polish and after it dries, try again.

If you find better ways of doing things, please be sure to post comments or contact me. I hope to make this an informative site in addition to showcasing my work...

Note: This corrects the typographical error in "Waves Bracelet Pattern". Sorry.

Slip Knot (for pinning cords to your work surface)

Previously published on 14 Sep 07.

This is the first chapter in a series on "Basic Macrame Knots". As I get time, I will be posting chapters on Square Knots, Lark's Head Knots, etc. Please feel free to leave a question or comment...

Slip Knot - Used to pin holding cords to down to work surface, make them as tight or as loose as you prefer.

Bring cord around pin...











then back over cord, and folding part of the cord, tuck this fold under cord and then up through loop formed.










Pull tight, leaving tail free...











to undo, just pull tail











Tip: If the tension in the holding cord is too loose, or becomes too loose; you can (carefully) pull the pin (with the slipknot still on it) up out of the work surface, and repin it tighter.