Tiger Tail Beading Wire (0.3mm)

Hi any Jewellery makers,
How do you prevent beading wire from curling when creating your pieces. Also what size needles if any should I be using? Any help would be appreciated as I am getting in a bit of a tangle.

A frustrated Esterina x
:rage:

Hello.
I hate it when that happens.
Must admit before I start beading I always tie a heavy bead to the bottom to try and keep the wire straight. it normally works unless the weight fall off. But I do find that once you have afew beads on it stays straight and uncurled.
I personally don’t use needles so I can’t help you there.
I am interested to know if anyone can help with stopping the clasp curling inwards once it is on the finished bracelet.
It can be very annoying.

The type of projects I am creating are stitching patterns, so tiger tail may not be the best beading medium. Any thoughts.
Esterina x

I’ve never had any issues with tiger tail when I’ve used it and i don’t use it with needles. When I buy leather that has been balled up and so has a tendancy to curl up I like to pre stretch it and straighten it out. I do this by tieing one end round a big heavy book and then looping it over a door and tieing the other end to the handle. Should be able to do something similar with tiger tail - whether it is the best medium for your projects I can’t say.
Sasha

Hi
In the days when I was bead weaving I always used nylon beading thread. I don’t think tiger tail is of the right consistency for weaving, especially when having to enter a bead more than a couple of times. Use a good quality thread, stretch it before using and do not forget to wax it to ensure ease of use and longevity of the article you are making. I usually used a size 10 beading needle or you can take a piece of 22 or 24 gauge wire and fold & twist it to use as a needle.

Hope this helps,
Leslie

Hi,Thank you for your help, I must admit the instructions I have for a project using tiger tail does not state to use needles. I have tried to use nylon beading thread but it does have a tendency to split and knot, especially when you are going through the same bead again. I will try your tip of stretching and waxing the thread beforehand. I have done some research on the internet and have found that fireline (which is used as fishing line) is the best medium to use for the project I am working on at the moment.

Will go and have another go.
Esterina xx

Have you tried monofiliment? Tiger Tail is not great for beadweaving, stringing yes, but more complicated designs no.

Estrina, You are absolutely right - Fireline is the best you can get. However, it is also very expensive. You may want to try another fishing monofilament - it is generally less expensive and has similar characteristics.
Good luck,
Leslie

Silly question time - I know you can get specialist jewellery making nylon monofilament threads but these are basically fishing line at three times the price so could you just use fishing line (from an angling shop)?

My friend uses fishing line for jewellery making.
Iv used it too. It’s great for heavy beaded necklaces I find.

@SashaGarrett

As long as you get the one with the highest weight limit (I cannot remember the numbers) it is as good and in some ways better.

Kind regards,
Leslie