| Miyuki Satin Silk Delicas by Damaris Ramenaden |
If you're an experienced beader, then you may have worked with Miyuki's range of Satin Silk Delicas. They're beautiful beads but they do have a bit of a bite!
We've found that many beaders have gone onto social media forums to express their dismay that their wonderful work has come a cropper due to these beads either breaking when they pull the needle through or cutting their thread. BUT, we also know these beads, if handled carefully, can be used easily and add something extra special to your bead work.
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| Delica col. 0823 | Delica col. 0824 | Delica col. 0828 | Delica col. 0831 |
Miyuki Satin Silk (or Silk Satin) Delicas are similar to normal Miyuki Delicas in that they are made of glass and have the virtually the same dimensions, therefore they can be used in all Miyuki 11/0 Delica projects. However, the production process is slightly different to normal - when these beads are made they have thousands of fine air bubbles mixed into them which creates their unique, almost fibre-optic like appearance and texture.
Because of the way they're made, there are a few considerations to take into account:
* The addition of air bubbles to the glass results in a lighter but also slightly wider than a normal Delica bead
* The walls of these beads can be thinner than a standard Delica bead, making the bead more delicate than usual
* The edges of these beads tend to be sharper and may also appear not quite as 'clean' as their other Delica counterparts, as the heating process that rounds off the cut edges of the beads is shorter than usual
* If you apply strong pressure or shock to these beads they can easily break - those with tight tension take care!
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| Delica col. 1802 | Delica col. 1807 | Delica col. 1810 | Delica col. 1817 |
Satin Silk Delica colours all have a lustrously soft sheen about them, with an almost glittery surface. When these beads are woven together they mimic the look of a smooth, luxurious piece of satin or silk fabric (hence the name), especially if you incorporate them into either loom work or flat off-loom stitches such as Peyote, Brick or Square stitch.
We've got some great ideas for helping you to get the most out of these exquisite beads:
| If you apply strong pressure or shock to these beads they can easily break - those with tight tension take care! Avoid stitching and weaving too tight, otherwise the sharp edges can jar against each other or the thread, causing abrasions and chips. Treat them as you would Bugle beads, and you'll avoid accidental breakages. |
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| If it suits your design, try to 'buffer' your loomed or stitched Satin Silk Delicas on either side or at the edges with another type of Delica. That way, when you step up or turn around, your thread rest against a bead that has softer (and more forgiving) edge and can also handled being pulled tighter to cinch or secure the beads. |
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| The colour of your thread can 'shift' the Satin Silk colours - if you want that lovely soft glowing sheen and delicate light reflection on the beads, use a white or pale thread to accentuate this. We'd also suggest using a stronger beading thread such as FireLine or WildFire to help keep abrasions to a minimum. |
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| When you pull your thread through the bead holes, try to keep it straight and true, as opposed to pulling it out at an angle and forcing the thread to 'rub' against the bead hole edge. |
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| Some people find it better to use a doubled thread when working with these beads, as this creates additional security and stiffness to your work. |
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As we said earlier, some beaders do find they encounter problems when they use these beads. But, with a little care and attention (and courage!) and by following our top tips in this blog, you'll find you can create elegant and sophisticated jewellery with Miyuki Satin Silk Delicas.