THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Reader Question - How to Fix a Beaded Freshwater Pearl Earring

Posted: 09 Jul 2011 04:29 AM PDT

The Reader Question thread is where I pick an email or comment question to answer. I don't claim to know all the answers but I do my best to help.

Linda :This is an inexpensive fresh water pearl earring that my husband bought for me as a 'cheer up' gift during a bad time for me. This has emotional value and limited other value.

The beading thread broke on one earring. I have all the pieces. I have tried to figure out how to re-bead the earring with no success. Could you point me in the direction to repair this?

Pearl : What a thoughtful husband! That's a good thing you have all the beads. The good news is you can fix this even if you have never done beading before.

First, let's see how the earring was constructed. There are two clusters of pearls with a metal bead in between and at each end. Each cluster consists of 2 "tripods" of 3 pearls each sandwiching a third set of 3 pearls (I think!) in a horizontal plane.

The easiest way to reconstruct the earring is to start off with a flat right angle weave and finish with a modified tubular weave for the 3D effect. Work from the top of the dangle down and then up again.

I like to use Fireline for its strength. It is available from the fishing department. The "crystal" color will be better suited than the regular dark grey for the creamy pearls. But as I only had dark purplish pearls of vaguely the same shape as Linda's pearls, I used the grey version.

Cut a 2' length and add a beading needle to each end. Using two needles is not only faster but more importantly, reduces the number of passes you make through each pearl compared to the path you have to take with a single needle. Pearls are finely drilled so no more than 2 passes through each one if you can help it.

Pick up a small spare seed bead and move it to the center of the thread. Now go through the bottom hole of the clam shell finding with both needles. The seed bead will act as an anchor. It will also be used to tie off the thread at the end.Next cross weave a metal bead i.e. go through it from opposite directions.

Pick up 1 pearl on the left needle and 2 on the right needle. The left needle goes through or cross weaves with the extra pearl on the right needle. Proceed down the earring cross-weaving with alternating a metal bead or a pearl. The cross-weaved pearls is the first of the 3 you need for the horizontal set. The other non-cross-weaved pearls form part of the tripod set of pearls.

When you get to the last metal bead, do a cross weave through it and then *add 2 pearls on the right needle. The pearl nearest the metal bead will be the third bead of the tripod. The other pearl will be the second of the 3 horizontal pearls. Take the left needle through one of the tripod pearls going back up the earring (below left).

Add a pearl to the left needle and then pass it through, cross weave fashion through the second pearl on the right thread (above right).

Once you tighten the threads, take what is now the right needle and pass it through the pearl at the bottom, then up again through the pearl sitting on top.

Add a pearl to the left needle and pass it through the metal bead (below left). Remember this newly added pearl. The right needle will also go through it before cross weaving with the metal bead (below right). This metal bead will now have two threads passing through it in opposite directions.

Repeat the steps from * to get back up to the clamshell finding. Pass the needles through its bottom hole again.

Tie the threads around the seed bead. Use a surgeon's knot - this is modified reef knot. Just wrap the right hand end more than once on the second knot. Dot with glue. Let dry and trim the threads. Close the clam shell gently with pliers. Attach the earring to the ear wire and you're done!

My pearls were not as elongated as Linda's but I think the clusters look the same.

There may be better paths through the beads but I hope I have made it simple enough to follow. If for any reason the earring does not quite match the unbroken half, I suggest undoing the latter and remaking it in the same way.

Good luck with the repair, Linda. Perhaps this might make you into a beader!

Before You Go :

For more tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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Vintage Copper and Turquoise Colored Beads Go Together

Posted: 08 Jul 2011 03:00 PM PDT

Earlier this year, beginner beader, Nancy came to our workshop to make some jewelry. She said her skin was so acid that most jewelry did not survive for long!

We suggested she try vintage copper (or brass) because it's been patinated. Our theory being that the patina might provide a barrier.

Nancy chose a wonderful color combination of turquoise with vintage copper window and cathedral beads for her earrings. But she stuck with silver for the ear wires.

The matching bracelet she created also included a pretty clasp.