Jewelry-Making Articles

by Amy, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

Few things are more frustrating than frayed, tangled thread, especially when beginning a new project. Thankfully, thread conditioners are a simple solution that can help.

What Are Thread Conditioners?

Thread conditioners

are a coating applied to thread before use to prevent problems like fraying, tangling, drag and static cling. While it takes a little more time at the beginning of a project to wax thread, it can save time and frustration in the end. It also strengthens thread and helps

needles

and

beads

glide on easier.

When to Use Thread Conditioner

All of the benefits listed above make thread conditioners ideal for

seed beading

, stringing and bead embroidery. Conditioning is especially important when working with beads that have abrasive holes, like

gemstones

,

pearls

and

glass beads

.

When choosing a stringing material, take care to note what type it is.

Threads

, like cotton, unwaxed nylon and silk, all benefit from conditioning, while monofilaments, like

FireLine®

, do not need a thread wax. Also, pay attention to texture. A highly texturized surface may become overly sticky if waxed.

The Big Two

The two main types of thread conditioners are Thread Magic® and beeswax, and both are easy to use.

• Thread Magic

  is hypoallergenic and acid-free. This clear polymer provides a thin, slick layer with anti-static properties.

  Thread Magic comes in a jar with small openings in the container. To apply, open the lid, place the string inside with a little overhanging the opening, close and pull through to coat.

• Beeswax

  is a natural option. It has many of the same properties as the Thread Magic, but is a bit more on the sticky side, which could be a good thing if your project needs a little more grip.

  Beeswax comes as a bar or in a plastic case with slots. To use the bar, hold the wax and pull the strand between your finger and the beeswax. For the case, pull through the open slots, guiding the string with your thumb.

Thread Magic and beeswax are both wonderful options designed to make your jewelry projects go that much smoother, try experimenting with both to see what works best for you.

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