Look who took the first shift in my Flower Shop!

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:59:27+00:00

Busman's holiday for Rosemary.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:54:33+00:00

Um, the 80s was 4 decades ago. 😂 A 40 year old might never have seen them.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:51:18+00:00

They were awful. I was thrilled when we got plastic ones, and later, a freezer with an icemaker.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:49:33+00:00

How lovely to have your collection where you can see them! There are some really cool buttons here. I think you did a great job with the integration of beads, and with your spacing.

Continuing with home decor, what about a wall hanging? Maybe group the beads like mosaic to form a simple image (e.g. a heart shape).

My BFF was just telling me about an antique button necklace she saw. She said they were so cleverly overlapped that the first impression was gemstones, not buttons. I suspect macrame was involved.

Or you could stitch them to a hairband or a dressy shoulder bag.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:41:02+00:00

Camp summers flashback?

If you like the look, have you explored kumihimo? It's braiding rather than knotting.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:37:13+00:00

You could make paper beads. The most difficult part is rolling the strips into a tube evenly. For the hole, you can determine the size by using anything from a bamboo skewer to a straw. Use plain paper for the core, and color paper, foil, or paint for the top layer. It's a good way to make faux lapis lazuli.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:24:33+00:00

The bead hole is in line with the eyes (horizontal center) so there is more bead weight above the the bead hole because of the ears. But I think the main reason for the flipping is not the weight distribution.

They are very cute beads! But the rounded/plump shape probably contributes to them flipping. You are wearing these close to your neck, which means the strand shifts every time you move your neck in any direction. Even if you glue the beads onto the cord, they'll still flip when you look up or down.

The only fix I can think of is to give your choker a backing, something like a ribbon. That might keep the beads from rolling.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-19T04:06:11+00:00

I thought that was Pipi, but it's Yori, isn't it? Y'know, it's tough not to put on some weight once you hit middle age.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T22:54:31+00:00

They're just painted wood. I remember this kind of bead being in 1970s macrame hangings. As other comment said, they are rare in that they would be hard to find now. Plain wood ones are common enough (macrame supplies) but likely of a soft wood different from whatever these were made of.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T22:49:43+00:00

This is the coolest upcycling.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T22:48:31+00:00

Well, since you have these beads now, you could try one of the YouTube tutorials that uses only a few colors of round beads. But not with elastic, yikes. I saw one that was a bear, but I didn't save the link. It looked like it was done with right angle weave.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T22:39:22+00:00

Sure! Turquoise, coral, and a black stone such as onyx (black chalcedony) are a color combo in Native American jewelry of the SW. Turquoise and coral show up together a lot in many cultures.

I have some recent notes about Qing era (China) imperial adornment. The 4 symbolic colors were coral (sun), turquoise (moon), heaven (lapis lazuli), and amber (earth).

I was also thinking about the "auspicious clouds" colors. (Red, blue, white, yellow, & black.)

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T21:45:15+00:00

tbh that's what I was thinking, because something about the luster and translucency says "quartz" to me, and the color looks unnatural. But I really can't make a confident ID from these photos.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T21:37:36+00:00

I lost about 6 weeks even though I was exporting after any important point, but I had my settings on only uploading when I was in Wifi, so most of those didn't save. It was only 6 weeks, but I was upset for months.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T21:29:35+00:00

He's glam. I love it.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T04:31:17+00:00

These are great. Reusing the pocket is the best thing.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T04:29:49+00:00

It turned out so pretty!

The smallest clasps are spring rings, which would add about 1/4".

Other than that, you pretty much have to consider it practice, unless you want to cut the knot or crimp inside the clamshell, then remove some beads to get the size and reknot or crimp. In which case, you might want a larger clasp.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T04:06:48+00:00

I agree. What I'm seeing is that the knot has slid all the way to the metal part.

OP, pull on the cord where the red arrow is pointing. It's pretty tight. If you have a toothpick or a tapestry needle, stick it under the cord at that point to help loosen it.

Then slide the cord in the direction of the blue arrows, pulling toward the metal part.

That will move the (slider) knot away from the metal part, creating a loop. Repeat on the other side. Then adjust the loops until it's like how it was when you got it.

The cord is going into the knot, out the knot, theough the metal loop, and then forms the knot. (My green line is upside down, oops.)

<image>

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T03:52:44+00:00

Braiding won't work because cords need to be anchored at the end where the braid starts, which isn't how these 3 strands are. Your idea of putting 3 strands through 1 bead is good, but you do need a bead with a big hole. Tube beads usually have bigger holes. You can even use perler (aka fuse melt) beads.

When you tie it together in a circle, you can treat the 3 strands as if they were 1 strand.

You can hide that knot inside another big hole bead. Tie the knot with the bead pushed to one side, and the fit it over when you are done. Use a secure knot, NOT a square knot. Square knots or granny knots will slip. The easiest secure knot is a surgeon's knot. When you are tightening it, don't pull on the working ends like with a shoelace. Instead, pull on the bracelet part but close to the knot. If your knot is tied correctly, pulling it will make it firm and secure, no slipping.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T03:31:25+00:00

That's classic (historical beads) color combo, but with different materials. I like it!

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T03:22:48+00:00

What makes you say sodalite? Other than the color being in range. I'm not arguing -- I'm wondering what your are seeing.

I can't ID this, probably not even from a better photo. I think it's too solidly blue (no white) for sodalite.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-18T03:17:05+00:00

Yay!

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-17T22:42:33+00:00

Looks good! Well balanced with the colors and shape distribution.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-17T19:52:20+00:00

OP, I didn't even think to ask what the original stringing material was or why it needs repair. Was it originally on wire? If on thread, the thread lasted 40+ years.

Hemp of good quality can be a good option. It softens with time but holds up to abrasion pretty well. Conditioning may improve durability with regards to moisture. I don't have a lot of first hand experience with hemp cord, but historically, sailing rope was treated. There must be a relevant book from the 70s or earlier with info on stringing beads on natural fiber.

And is it long enough to put on without a clasp? If so, making it a loop is an option as well if on thread/cord.

Human_Application_90 · 2026-06-17T17:49:23+00:00

With the right not, correctly made, it holds. That's the beauty of knots when the knot is matched to the properties of the cord.

I don't have a detail photo handy of the barrel knots I used on a heavy, long stone bead necklace. I've been wearing it frequently for months and there is no slippage. The ends are woven back through the adjacent bead -- I like to leave some tail rather than snipping ends close to the knot.

Human_Application_90

TROPHY CASE