**Jewellery makers - help quick!!**

[zephyrcat]

My Dad has just sent me some crystal pendants from Australia and I'm on a website ordering some silver beads, leather etc to put the pendants on. I have absolutely no idea about what I need to fasten it though!! I'm looking at crimps and connectors etc and have no idea what I need!! Please help before I order!!

Anyone this morning?

Hi Zephyr. Sorry can't be of much help here. I have only done some basic beading.

I ordered some thonging, but it was too thin! and is sitting unused in the box.
I have recently been looking at rattail too but was unsure of what clasps to use on it.

Crimps, I have seen used but never actually done them myself. They are mainly used for holing beads etc in place and are "squashed" into place with, preferably, special crimping pliers.

All I can suggest, unless someone else comes along with some help (for both of us! is to phone the suppliers. Jillybeads have a very good reputation, and have good clear pictures on their site.

Funny enough I made up an order to them over the weekend but put it to one side until I rang them.

Good luck hunny!

...that should be "holding beads!"

Are you using leather thongs to hang the pendants? If so you need "thong ends" and then whatever fasteners you like (I usually just use a hook to go through one of the thong ends)

you can see what thong ends look like on this page

Thank you

From what I can see they don't sell those thong ends on the website I'm on - typical!! Have emailed them to see what they advise.... and here was me thinking "How hard can it be?!"

Not everyone calls them thong ends ZC. Be aware you can get them in different sizes to account for different thicknesses of thonging too, just to add to the confusion!

I usually use this type although I have used the ones that look like a little spring that you squash onto the end of the thong.
I think the first type look neater

I got an email from them saying I could superglue plated cord ends on..... does that sound right? I want something that is going to definately stay on forever and not fall off if it gets wet or something!!

She also added that they will be too small for 2mm thong lol

They do look neater Whizz, you are right!
Do you glue them on as well?
Link to the suppliers page that you are using ZC. Not sure what plated cord ends are (but she says they are no good anyway!!!)

TheSilverCorporation

This is where I've been looking - a friend of my Mum uses them and makes/sells her own jewellery which is something I'd love to do.... some of their stuff is lovely. As a newbie though I'm on the lookout for similar to broaden my horizons!

I haven't used glue but I do tend to use the thicker type of cord which makes it easier to firmly squash the ends down to hold it secure. For the thin stuff I tend to use barrel fastenings & then use strong beading thread to almost sew the ends of the cord onto the barrel fastening (wind thread round & tie off)

I use the thicker stuff too... but can never be 100% certain the ends will stay attached. Will try the ones you use next time.
Zephyr.... just as an idea, I get the vast majority of my beads from charity shops (strung but often broken). You can get some really good bead bargains this way (only buy glass or metal beads though)

So how easy is rattial to work with please? Was looking at this here under findings/stringing material/ribbons

I have also been told the plain squash end clips are better than the spring ends, it's just making sure I get the right size though!

Ive used it without any problems. In fact I used a lot of things without knowing what they were called !! I like the rainbow colours on the link!