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Bead necklace broken

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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.

Comments

  • tanith
    tanith Posts: 8,091 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    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..
    #6 of the SKI-ers Club :j

    "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke
  • rachbc
    rachbc Posts: 4,461 Forumite
    a crafty friend one told me to use dental floss!
    People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Trazy
    Trazy Posts: 2,863 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I do crafts including jewellery and I would say that fishing line would do the job, they were selling it in poundland
    If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything. - Mark Twain
    Nappies and government ministers need to be changed frequently and for the same reason
  • JayJay14
    JayJay14 Posts: 1,918 Forumite
    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.
  • 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
    kitschkitty Posts: 3,177 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    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. :)
    A waist is a terrible thing to mind.
  • lolly5648
    lolly5648 Posts: 2,257 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Thanks to everyone who replied for your help.
    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
    kitschkitty Posts: 3,177 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    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)! :o
    A waist is a terrible thing to mind.
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