How to stiffen beadwork

Craft Talk
1

Any ideas of what to use to stiffen beadwork. I’ve made peyote/ brick stitch animal charms but need to stiffen them so they don’t fold up when on key ring etc?

1 Like
2

Hi there :wave:t2:

I don’t know which blog I saw it on because it was a long time ago but I remember seeing someone saying they painted over their beadwork with Modge Podge glue to stiffen it.

Hope this maybe gives you a starting point for investigation :female_detective: :male_detective:t2:

Good luck! :shamrock:

Kat :sunglasses:

3

Do they have a fabric backing? If so interfacing would help.

4

No, just beads

5

Thanks Kat

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6

I used a product called ‘Diamond Glaze’ a few years ago to create a clear seal over paper but think it would create a raised coating and might not stand up to manipulation if you want them to still be flexible. If the beads are strung with thread of some sort then I guess you’re really looking at stiffening the thread, in which case a fabric stiffening product could work (can’t remember its name but I used one on lace a few years ago and there’s lots available) and you could wipe it off the bead surface. Other thought is looking at whether you could use a fine wire for stringing. Hope you find something that works.

7

Thanks for the ideas, may try starch to stiffen thread.