GetCrafty Craft Facts

Q: I'm new to beadmaking, and I'm just starting to think about how I'm going to string up the beads I've made. I was changing the strings on my classical guitar today, and it dawned on me that the bass strings, which are silver wrapped on a nylon core, would be ideal bead-stringing material - very strong, yet flexible, and beautiful to look at. I'm wondering if any of you have ever tried this, and if so, what pitfalls there may be to using the guitar strings. I go through hundreds of them a year, and normally just throw them away (the all-nylon treble strings are great for hanging up suncatchers - much more durable than fishing line yet still clear in color).

A: The cable guitar strings will kink when you crimp them, or bend them in any other way (much like 'Tiger Tail' does). I think you'll be a lot happier with the results if you purchase some 'SoftFlex(tm)' beading wire. I do a lot of stringing with lampworked beads, and so far the 'SoftFlex(tm)' works the best of anything I've tried - it is very strong, and yet supple and doesn't kink nearly so easily as the 'Tiger Tail'. Good luck, and have fun making your lampwork beads!!! Hello, I do not think the strings will work efficiently, however, cut that "ring" end off that is at the end of the string. I don't know the technical term, but the ball-end. That little ring makes a nice little bead thingy. If you change your strings a lot, you can amass quite a few.