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- ELASTIC STRING
ELASTIC STRING
A new clear elastic string is the newest rage in fashion jewelry. You should knot (preferred), or fuse the ends of this remarkable stringing product. Very flexible, stretches freely and returns back to its original state. In some places, it's called Jelly String. There are several brands. We carry Stretch Magic.
Elastic string comes in different sizes. We recommend the following:
1. For seedbeads and beads with small holes - .5mm size
2. For most glass beads - .7mm size. [The hole size in most 4mm-8mm glass beads is .8mm]
3. For larger hole beads - 1mm size
BASIC STEPS:
1. Use super glue and coat the first 3/4" -1" of the string. Let dry and harden. Take a single edge razor blade and cut the tip at an angle. You now have a self-needle
2. Pull on the cord to stretch it out little. This will help lengthen the time in which the string retains its size-memory.
3. String your beads on
4. Tie a square knot or a surgeon's knot.
5. Before pulling the knot tight, put a drop of glue -- (any glue EXCEPT Superglue) -- on the INSIDE of the knot. Pull the knot tight and put a drop of glue on the outside of the knot. We recommend Beacon 527. You can also use Rubber Cement or School Glue.
6. Cut off the tail.
7. Put another drop of glue on the knot, and pull the knot into the hole of the next bead. This hides and secures the knot.
When making jewelry, we don't often use a glue, like superglue, that dries hard like glass. When the wearer slips the bracelet over their arm, the hard-bond of super glue will crack like a broken bottle, and easily saw through the elastic string with wear.
We do not recommend using crimp beads with elastic string. They can cut through the string too easily.
You can either string with a big-eye or a twist-wire needle, or take some super glue, cover about 1" of the elastic string, let dry. When dry, use a single-edged razor blade, and cut the end at an angle, to make a "pointed needle".
Elastic string seems to break down with age. It does discolor. It does lose its memory, either from the weight of beads which are too heavy for the cord, or after frequent wearings.
Some brands claim their products do not lose their memory, or do not deteriorate. I've found that all the products lose their memory and that the string deteriorates.