Bead necklace broken

lolly5648

I have a nice bead necklace and the string has snapped. I think I have collected all the beads but how do I mend it? Can I use doubled up cotton?

I don't sew or anything so don't have a clue where to go to get new string and how do you thread it through the beads?

I am sure all you Old stylers can help.

tanith

What about using nylon fishing line, its stiff enough to be pushed through the beads and quite strong.. I know you can get things restrung presumably in a jewellers but not very MSE I guess..

rachbc

a crafty friend one told me to use dental floss!

Trazy

I do crafts including jewellery and I would say that fishing line would do the job, they were selling it in poundland

JayJay14

I think that a waxed thread is often used for beaded necklaces as this helps to stop any fraying.

Fishing line will work but may be a bit stiff. A waxed dental floss might be best. I don't think ordinary sewing thread even doubled would be strong enough.

Beeker

A friend used button thread doubled to repair her beads after my toddler snapped them. The beads are still threaded but said toddler isn't allowed to touch them!

kitschkitty

Depending on how expensive (or how much sentimental value) it has, there are a number of ways of restringing a necklace.

For many applications fishing line is actually fine (jewellery makers do use certain brands themselves) knotting it can be a loittle fiddly though. Cotton and other flosses are OK, but just be aware that they can/will wear through again, especially if any of the beads happen to have a hidden sharp edge or are heavy.

Also it depends how confident you are making knots, and how neat a finish you want (I know some of us are a bit perfectionist about these things)!

Unless you are considering taking up making jewellery or doing any other repairs yourself, then for the price of basic materials and tools, it's cheaper to get someone else to fix it. But you don't really want a jewellery shop for that - a friend who makes jewellery would be better.

If you need any extra help feel free to let me know, as well as making jewellery I do repairs, and am happy to help if I can.

lolly5648

Thanks to everyone who replied for your help.

kitschkitty wrote: »

If you need any extra help feel free to let me know, as well as making jewellery I do repairs, and am happy to help if I can.

I would have loved for you to do the repair but as I am going on holiday on Wednesday there is no time. The necklace was in a plastic bag and when I took it out to see if it went with my dress the string snapped.

I will attempt to mend it myself using floss as I have some in the house - if that doesn't work I will try fishing line. I don't understand what you mean about knots - I assumed there was one knot at each end but perhaps I am missing something! As you can tell I am not at crafty and my hands are the equivalent of two left feet.

kitschkitty

Just that some knots hold better than others, (surgeon's knots and reef knots etc) and some materials (fishing line) are harder to knot securely as they can be a bit slippy. It's no biggy though, so long as you knot securely enough to wear it, you can always get a more permanent/professional restring at a later date when you have more time if you feel it's worth it.

I have some necklaces from when I first made jewellery, and some cheap shop bought ones that aren't very well strung, but as they are still holding strong I've just never gotten round to restinging them more neatly and securely (maybe one day when I find the time to get them out and take a look at them)!