https://www.instagram.com/p/BXk3wpwArXV/?taken-by=pearls_and_picots
#Restringing a classic today
#Black pearls are my favourite!
Back to work
Just an update to say that I will be back up and running with my restringing this month. It was lovely having a few months off but it is time to get back in the saddle and get the silk back out. I work from home and restring pearls, and other beads. I offer many …
Metal Beads on Silk – NoNoNo
I think I have spoken about this before and it still winds me up! Why would you put metal beads on silk thread?! I know they might be gold, the pearls are nice pearls and you probably paid a lot of money for the necklace. I understand you want it threaded "the best" way, but …
Why I can’t always knot your pearls!
This is an example of when there is little point in knotting your pearls. This was a very graduated string of pearls that has a large size difference between the smallest and largest pearls. The problem with this is that the holes in the small pearls are often smaller than those in the largest …
Ruined Pearls
You get good pearls and you get bad pearls. Then you get pearls that were once ok but now are wrecked! I had some of these this week for restringing that were the worst I had seen for a long time... They arrived as a double row that had broken. When I opened the bag …
Pearl Necklace Lengths
Types of Pearls – Freshwater
Freshwater pearls are the most common non synthetic pearl that are available and are produced by mussels not oysters. They are cultured which means that the mussels are farmed and the pearls are encouraged to form in a controlled environment. This is done by a technician delicately grafting small piece of donor tissue into …
Fluff fluff, glorious fluff!
This is a word of warning. If you wear your bracelet with a fluffy jumper, it will catch! End of. This bracelet has come to me for repair only 8 months since it was repaired previously. Can you spot why it has broken? Yes, that is half of a jumper sleeve between each bead! Bracelets that are textured …
A New Clasp
You know that you are addicted to beads when the highlight of your day is seeing a new clasp! I have just come across a new style of clasp that I hadn't come across before. EXCITING!! For most people this is pretty boring stuff but I hope that there is some clasp connoisseurs out there …
My Jobs for Today
I have been so busy in the last few days that I have let my work build up a bit which isn't usually how I like to work. Luckily I have a spare afternoon so I can grab a green tea, get some music on and get knotting for a few hours. (Today I am listening to …
New Delivery!
I still get a little flutter of excitement when my little Jiffy bags or supplies land on the doormat! Aside from hobbycraft, (ok for emergencies but expensive and basic), there isn't anywhere locally where I can buy my supplies so I have to order online from places in Birmingham or London. It isn't a problem, …
Organising My Workload
Being a self employed restringer, it is essential that I offer a service that is reliable and prompt. My own customers and the jewellers that I work for need to know that when I quote a date for the jobs return- I mean it! To ensure that I keep my promises, I need to know …
2015!!
My New Years resolution for 2015 is to keep a blog - and if you are reading this then you have found it! 😊 I know I am a couple of days early starting but when I have an idea I can't wait! So this is it. I will blog mainly about my restringing and …
Nail fail!
I decided to treat myself to new nails for Christmas! I have wanted long almond nails for ages (ask anyone on my Pinterest feed!!) so I did it! I got up one morning and squeezed into a last-minute cancellation. It never once even crossed my mind that I would physically struggle to pick up any …
About Me
Hi I don't really have a job title as such but "Pearl Restringer" seems to fit well enough. I am self-employed and have been doing what I do for a living for about three years now. Before then playing with beads was just a hobby - now I get paid for doing what I love! I …
Pearl Care
Daily Care To ensure that your lovely pearls stay looking lovely you need to look after them! A pearls worst enemy is sweat, perfume, alcohol and all other acids, chemicals and dirt! A simple rule to live by is: make sure that your pearls are the last thing you put on and the first thing …
