nursing necklace~help!

[Wendy~]

I have a nursing necklace that I used with dd#1. I have a baby on the way and would love to have one for him/her. Instead of buying one, I'd like to try making one. Has anyone made one?

What kind of cord should I use to string the beads? hemp would get yucky after awhile, and regular jewelry wire is too flimsy.

Does anyone have a good resource for some quality colorful beads?

How often do you Knot the string?

Do you know where I could get a safety type of clasp?

Any other tips?

Thanks a bunch!

[meant2beamom]

i recommend softflex for the stringing material - it's coated (nylon?) wire. you can get some with lots of strands - the more the stronger.

i use 2 crimp beads on each end for security.

for beads (and findings)
www.riogrande.com
www.fusionbeads.com

call rio to get a free catalog - if you order online you'll have to pay.

good luck!
barb, nak

[meant2beamom]

try this site for info and tutorials - i recently found it myself

http://tinyurl.com/e28x5

[LeosMama]

i like using kevlar thread. or you can use cording. is there a bead shop nearby? they will have lots of options for stringing and will have fun baubles for hanging on the necklace.

[Wendy~]

Thanks for the help!!!

[DBZ]

Are there any types of beads that you should avoid?

[meant2beamom]

Hmmmm,

Some beads and charms have lead - I would stay away from pewter unless you knew for sure that it was lead-free. And I think some crystals have lead, too. Not sure about Swarovski, though. I would also stay away from beads made from seed, like the bodhi seed beads - they could possibly be crushed by the child?

I would definitely go to a local bead store(s) and look at their beads. You can see which are sturdy and get a better "feel" for them (no pun intended). I like to have a contrast in texture, so have some smooth, some bumpy, some ridged, some faceted. Also, using different mediums (glass, stone, metal) can be interesting, too. Even cloth, but you'd probably have to make those yourself. Different shapes would be nice, too. Cubes, round, etc.

HTH,
Barb