Naomi knows: Multistrand necklacesTips on finishing with connectors, cones, and multistrand clasps
by Naomi Fujimoto
Published: April 11, 2011 Hi everybody. Welcome to my first "Naomi knows" column! I'll be answering your questions once a month. So if you're stumped about techniques, design, or anything jewelry-related, send your questions to me at nfujimoto AT beadstylemag DOT com. Thanks!
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This month's question comes from Terry Lynn Fourtner:
"I create a lot of three-strand and five-strand necklaces. Most of the time I bring them together into cones; but I'd like more ideas on how to gather the multiple strands together. And once they are gathered, what length do you recommend for the beading from the gathering to the clasp? I've purchased multiple strand connectors, but they seem to poke me in the side of my neck."
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Hi Terry! If the multistrand connectors are poking you, there are a few things you could try. First, make sure you string the wire back through an adjacent bead and trim the wire ends close to the bead after you crimp. It's possible that the wire ends are sticking out from the crimp beads. Diagonal wire cutters will help you get in close to trim the excess wire.
Second, make sure the multistrand connectors don't have any sharp edges. If so, file them with a metal file or emery board.
It may be that the strands may be too heavy, pulling on the connectors. So you may want to still end with connectors — but just string them so they fall closer to your collarbone rather than at the back of your neck. Then attach a single strand of beads or chain on each side, along with a clasp (like Lauren Hadley did in "Balanced drape," February 2008).
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Another option: Attach
strands to a large soldered jump ring or decorative metal link. Jane
Konkel did that in her "Colossal pearls" project (January 2011). She
attached each end link of chain to a round link, then attached a chain
segment and a clasp.
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When you use cones, your necklace will drape differently than if you use multistrand connectors. So it may be worth experimenting. Also, there are a lot of new cone styles. I like the squared off, matte finish cones from Saki, the enameled ones from C-Koop Beads, and the gorgeous glass cones from Sonoran Beads (shown at right).
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When I finish a multistrand, I like to allow 3–4 in. (7.6–10 cm) for the finishing. It's always easier to end with a lobster claw or hook clasp on one end and a 3-in. (7.6 cm) chain extender on the other. It's a forgiving method in case your strands don't fall exactly right!
That said, if you don't like cones or connectors, you can use a multistrand clasp. In my "Multifaceted multicolored multistrand" (November 2009), I wanted to showcase the flower clasp from Claspgarten. If you go that route, just make sure the clasp is strong enough to support the strands.
Happy beading!
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