Stabilizing a Large Hole Bead
I don't know about you, but I truly love artisan, handmade beads. Lampwork glass is one of my favorites, as well as ceramic. I think these little handmade works of art bring so much aesthetic to a piece of jewelry.
There are challenges, however to using our favorite handmade beads. If they are not hung from a bail, then the center hole tends to be 2mm or more in larger. I do not like to have my beautiful beads flopping around on wire. The loose setting can eventually cause damage to the bead.
There are challenges, however to using our favorite handmade beads. If they are not hung from a bail, then the center hole tends to be 2mm or more in larger. I do not like to have my beautiful beads flopping around on wire. The loose setting can eventually cause damage to the bead.
Instructions
As I was in the studio today, I can up against this very thing. I have a gorgeous lampwork glass tulip bead that I am using in a pair of earrings. I balled up 20 gauge copper wire to use with it and the tulip fell right off the wire, it didn't stop at the ball or anything.
There are a few ways to solve this dilemma. You can add seed beads to fill the hole; you can leave it empty and let the bead be lose or you can use a piece of copper tubing. I found copper tubing that not only fit the glass bead but allowed me to slide it all onto my 20 gauge headpin. Slid the tubing into the bead and use a Sharpie to mark how long you need the tubing.
Use a tube cutter and saw to the desired length.
Since the tulip bead hole is so big, I added a small "O" ring bead as a stopper, slid the copper tubing on the headpin, then the lampwork glass bead.
Everything fit perfectly. I know have a perfectly secure component to use.
Materials
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Tools
Tube Cutting Jig
HOL-108.00
- HOL-108.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
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- Price: $47.95
- Gold Club Price: $35.96
2/0 Relentless Sawblade - Sold by the Dozen
SAW-400.05D
- SAW-400.05D
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.97
- Gold Club Price: $2.98
Deluxe Sawframe, 4 Inches
SAW-314.00
- SAW-314.00
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- Price: $18.95
- Gold Club Price: $14.21
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): General Education
Susan LeGuyader
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