PEARL KNOTTING ... Warren's Way

In this class, I teach a non-traditional pearl knotting technique which is

• Very easy for people to learn and do,
• Does not use special tools,
• Includes step-by-step instructions for a simple way to tie knots,
• Shows clearly how to attach your clasp and finish off your cords, and
• Achieves that architectural perfection we want in our pearl strung pieces, 

A pearl knotted necklace is timeless.

Sophisticated.

Architecturally perfect.

Steeped in centuries' old traditions.

Yet how best to make a pearl knotted necklace is constantly debated. What are the preferred and correct techniques for tying knots? Or, attaching the clasp? Or, finishing off the cord ends?

There are many, many variations in technique. They all work. Yet most are very difficult for the beginner -- especially those traditional techniques which rely on tools for making and positioning the knots.

Over the years, in fact, I have seen many students give up, frustrated. They try to follow a more traditional pearl knotting technique, and find that they cannot tie the knots. Cannot make good knots,

Or cannot get the knots close enough to the beads.

And students find that they are often left out in the dark about how to attach the clasp. Most books and online tutorials go into great detail about hand-knotting, but skip over or give very little information about how best to attach your piece to the clasp.

Over the years, I have seen how students, when following traditional pearl knotting methods, or methods which utilize some more traditional techniques and approaches, become dissatisfied with their results, and give up. Pearl knotting doesn't need to be this hard.

After many, many years, enduring many concerns, debates, demonstrations and arguments about which way is best, I came up with my own preferences – using ideas, goals and parts of techniques from several established methods, adjusting them, based on my experiences with students and teachers and my knowledge of good design, and how to balance artistic concerns with functional ones,

And I began teaching pearl knotting – using these ideas and techniques in a way which I will call “Warren’s Way”.

In this video tutorial series, I will be covering several topics:

(1) some information about pearls

(2) about hand-knotting

(3) the differences between traditional and non-traditional pearl knotting methods, in terms of the kinds of choices which need to be made

(4) step-by-step instructions for the basic pearl knotting technique, beginning with discussion how to select and test for size of bead cord.

(5) step-by-step instructions for four variations in the basic non-traditional pearl knotting technique:

(5a) variation #1: attaching directly to the clasp

(5b) variation #2: using french wire bullion

(5c) variation #3: using clam shell bead tips

(5d) variation #4: making a continuous necklace without a clasp

(6) how to handle different contingencies, including what happens when you run out of cord and need to add more

(7) caring for your pearls

(8) a note about re-stringing pearls

(9) some final words of advice

There are downloadable handouts which come with this video.

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Begin with my ORIENTATION TO BEADS & JEWELRY FINDINGS COURSE.

Check out these books by Warren Feld...

CONQUERING THE CREATIVE MARKETPLACE:



Between the Fickleness of Business



and the Pursuit of Design

How dreams are made



between the fickleness of business



and the pursuit of jewelry design

This guidebook is a must-have for anyone serious about making money selling jewelry. I focus on straightforward, workable strategies for integrating business practices with the creative design process. These strategies make balancing your creative self with your productive self easier and more fluid.

Based both on the creation and development of my own jewelry design business, as well as teaching countless students over the past 35+ years about business and craft, I address what should be some of your key concerns and uncertainties. I help you plan your road map.

Whether you are a hobbyist or a self-supporting business, success as a jewelry designer involves many things to think about, know and do. I share with you the kinds of things it takes to start your own jewelry business, run it, anticipate risks and rewards, and lead it to a level of success you feel is right for you, including

• Getting Started: Naming business, identifying resources, protecting intellectual property
• Financial Management: basic accounting, break even analysis, understanding risk-reward-return on investment, inventory management
• Product Development: identifying target market, specifying product attributes, developing jewelry line, production, distribution, pricing, launching
• Marketing, Promoting, Branding: competitor analysis, developing message, establishing emotional connections to your products, social media marketing
• Selling: linking product to buyer among many venues, such as store, department store, online, trunk show, home show, trade show, sales reps and showrooms, catalogs, TV shopping, galleries, advertising, cold calling, making the pitch
• Resiliency: building business, professional and psychological resiliency
• Professional Responsibilities: preparing artist statement, portfolio, look book, resume, biographical sketch, profile, FAQ, self-care

548pp.

Kindle, Print, Epub

SO YOU WANT TO BE A JEWELRY DESIGNER



Merging Your Voice With Form

So You Want To Be A Jewelry Designer reinterprets how to apply techniques and modify art theories from the Jewelry Designer’s perspective. To go beyond craft, the jewelry designer needs to become literate in this discipline called Jewelry Design. Literacy means understanding how to answer the question: Why do some pieces of jewelry draw your attention, and others do not? How to develop the authentic, creative self, someone who is fluent, flexible and original. How to gain the necessary design skills and be able to apply them, whether the situation is familiar or not.

588pp, many images and diagrams Ebook , Kindle or Print formats

The Jewelry Journey Podcast







“Building Jewelry That Works: Why Jewelry Design Is Like Architecture”







Podcast, Part 1







Podcast, Part 2

PEARL KNOTTING…Warren’s Way



Easy. Simple. No tools. Anyone Can Do!

I developed a nontraditional technique which does not use tools because I found tools get in the way of tying good and well-positioned knots. I decided to bring two cords through the bead to minimize any negative effects resulting from the pearl rotating around the cord. I only have you glue one knot in the piece. I use a simple overhand knot which is easily centered. I developed a rule for choosing the thickness of your bead cord. I lay out different steps for starting and ending a piece, based on how you want to attach the piece to your clasp assembly.

184pp, many images and diagrams Ebook, Kindle or Print

SO YOU WANT TO DO CRAFT SHOWS:



16 Lessons I Learned Doing Craft Shows

In this book, I discuss 16 lessons I learned, Including How To (1) Find, Evaluate and Select Craft Shows Right for You, (2) Determine a Set of Realistic Goals, (3) Compute a Simple Break-Even Analysis, (4) Develop Your Applications and Apply in the Smartest Ways, (5) Understand How Much Inventory to Bring, (6) Set Up and Present Both Yourself and Your Wares, (7) Best Promote and Operate Your Craft Show Business before, during and after the show.

198pp, many images and diagrams, Ebook, , Kindle or Print

BASICS OF BEAD STRINGING AND ATTACHING CLASPS:

Begin Designing and Assembling Your Own Jewelry -- The Complete Insider's Guide

There is an art and skill to stringing beads. First, of course, is the selection of beads for a design, and the selection of the appropriate stringing material. Then is the selection of a clasp or closure, appropriate to the design and use of the piece.

You want your pieces to be appealing. You want them to wear well. You want someone to wear them or buy them. This means understanding the basic techniques, not only in terms of craft and art, but also with considerations about architecture, mechanics, and some sociology, anthropology and psychology.

In this book, I go into depth about: (1) Choosing stringing materials, and the pros and cons of each type, (2) Choosing clasps, and the pros and cons of different clasps, (3) All about the different jewelry findings and how you use them, (4) Architectural considerations and how to build these into your pieces, (5) How better designers use cable wires and crimp, as well as, use needle and thread to string beads, (6) How best to make stretchy bracelets, (7) How to make adjustable slip knots, coiled wire loops, and silk wraps, (8) How to finish off the ends of thicker cords or ropes, so that you can attach a clasp, (9) How to construct such projects as eyeglass leashes, mask chains, lariats, multi-strand pieces, twist multi-strand pieces, and memory wire bracelets, (10) How different teaching paradigms — craft vs. art vs. design — might influence the types of choices you make.

452 pp, many images, illustrations, diagrams, Ebook, Kindle or Print

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