Beaded Dangles Questions

[brad]

My plan presently is to hang 3 beaded dangles from silver pendent-with the gold filled wire wrap.  Presently considering Heishi beads of Pueblo tradition. So, if I string the beads on wire, I worry about the dangle wire getting bent all the time.  So, if I string the beads on string, what do I do for stop at the base of the dangle?  What string do you suggest?  I have watched a video on a knot to attach to the jump rings, but will have to YouTube search again?  
I would much appreciate your suggestions on a good construction of my dangles.
Thank you, Brad

[caeterle]

I would have used headpins myself, no jump rings. If you can get jump rings through, you can also get headpins through and if you use the right gauge, they won't bend all the time.
Doing the loop nicely takes some practice, though (and some people still don't always manage, no matter how many hours they practice (moi), while others become masters at it (Dawn)).

[brad]

Thank you, I have been practicing headpins and the end pins on 18 ga soft copper wire I have. I followed a YouTube vid. What gauge wire would you suggest? I used to make my own pins for the back of brooches, tricky as well.
Yes, I thought by wrapping around the jump ring, I have the option, to attach dangles to rings, or pull them to use headpins. I imagine making that headpin on the piece is much trickier than just practicing with loose wire, eh.
Brad

[caeterle]

It really depends on the size of the bead hole, something between 24 and 20 ga, I would say, but 20 ga more for lampwork beads with bigger holes. You know you can tumble your headpins to make them harder even for a smaller gauge.
I'm sure Dawn will have better info, nowadays I only use my headpins for knitting needles in my yarn baskets My dangles these days are usually beaded.

You do what you want to do. I just feel the jump rings might distract a bit from the beads themselves.
You are right, a headpin on the piece is trickier, especially with beads on the pin. At least for me.

[Irith-Rita]

I usually use fine silver wire which I melt at one end with my torch. It creates a small ball which is larger than the rest of the wire which enables it to serve as a stopper. Then I thread the bead on top of the ball and wind the rest of the wire on top of the bead. Of course, as Cat wrote, it depends on the size of the bead hole. The thickness of the wire I use is 0.6 millimeters for a hole that is 0.7- 0.8 millimeters.

[brad]

Thank you. Yesterday, I put in my first bead order: some round sterling balls, and a variety of southwest heishi beads and some spacer beads, and a couple lengths of various silver wire. I am not sure what my dangles will be yet, until I get them all in and do some designing with different looks. I bought enough beads to make some bracelets or necklaces with. I hope the beads are as nice as the pics online.
I did splurge on a strand of vintage unused turquoise beads from I believe a now defunct mine in Arizona, that are much different than Kingdom Mine. Others from Kingdom Mine and a Nevada mine, I believe. Brad

[brad]

I was at my storage unit/annex shop cutting some copper for cuffs, when I remembered my “Boy Scout” box was hiding in there. I found my Indian necklace-bolo and my beaded head band. I was so proud of making that headband on a loom! The bolo (and yes, we had plastics by the time I was in the Scouts) was a leather pendent I punched to put the leather thong through, my Indian name writ ten on with a pen, the Eagle was big deal to earn, but I don’t remember what. Same with the beads. I see I even have a plastic Heishi bead. I guess this bolo has a lot of influence on my present silver project. Brad

[DawninCal]

Little late chiming in, but I agree that headpins would be your best bet for the dangles.

You can make your own by torching the end of the wire until it forms a ball. After that, you can tumbled and polish the wire to shine it up and harden it. If you don't want to bother with tumbling, a few gentle taps with a hammer will also harden the wire.

You can chose to make either simple loops or wrapped loops to secure your headpins to the pendant.

Here is a short video of how to make a simple loop. I cut my wire to 3/4 inch and I also recommend that you don't let the wire fly as they did in the video. In order to get the same size loop every time, mark the tip of your round nose pliers with a sharpie and use that as your guide.



And, here is a video of how to make a wrapped loop:



This isn't quite how I do it, but I couldn't find a video with my method. Maybe I should make a tutorial! This is close to how I do it though. Your wraps should lie neatly next to each other. If you find they are not, you can use your pliers to snug them up to next to the loop.

I generally prefer simple loops as I like the look best and they are plenty secure for most things. If a more secure wrap is needed for something that is going to get hard wear like a bracelet or if the piece is on the heavy side, that is when I choose to use the wrapped loop. Wrapped loops are also better for wire that is over 22 gauge and up as those higher gauges are on the flimsy side. My go to gauge is 20 unless the holes in the beads are too small to accommodate 20g, in which case I go for whichever wire fits the bead.

If you are not familiar with making loops, I suggest you practice on cheap wire as these techniques are not as easy as they look unless you don't mind if your loops are wonky. Many people don't care, but I'm a neat freak when it comes to wrapped loops.

How cool that you still have your Boy Scout necklace. You did a great job on it; you were destined to play with beads and metal!



Dawn

[brad]

Dawn. Thank you , for the suggestions and vids. I will study what is next, after my new bead stash arrives. I fear this new rabbit hole of beads I have become aware of over the years of following posts here. I hope to get organized on the git-go with bead storage and labeling. Brad

[caeterle]

*whisper* Come over to the bead side, Braaaaad, we've got pretties and cookies ......

[DawninCal]

Careful, Brad. You are about to go over to the dark side...



Dawn

[caeterle]

You can look at our precioussssss ....

[brad]

Ya’ll scarin’ me now! I will be nice. I am sure a few questions may come. Brad

[DawninCal]

Don't be afraid, we won't hurt you...

[caeterle]

No, just his wallet ...