Hi Candace, To make divider pins I use doll needles that I get from Joann Fabrics, a chain fabric store that is common in the Pacific Northwest. The doll needles are found in my store in the sewing needles section of the store next to the sharps and ballpoint handsewing needles. The doll needles come in two sizes here, 3" and 6" if I remember correctly. They are much sturdier than the ordinary hand sewing needles, thus the needle diameter is larger and they poke quite a hole in your pillow. My pillows are stuffed with wool and I have lots of homemade coverings so I don't mind the needles' big hole at all. The stability and length of the doll needle divider pins make the holes insignificant to me. And I love divider pins with flashy beads that are easy to see.
My first step in making the divider pins is to plug up one end of the bead hole with epoxy, letting it throughly dry. Then I place my needles sharp side down into some styrofoam, mix more epoxy, spread it around on the top of each needle, and place the bead on it. Let dry 24 hours. If you can drill a small straight hole into a broken bobbin, you can give it a new life as a divider pin by gluing it onto a doll needle. I didn't figure out this on my own, Mikki, a lacemaker in Fairbanks, showed me how to make them. Mikki likes to wrap a thread around the needle which she then soaks with epoxy before putting the bead on. I have found that I don't need to do that. I just put the epoxy straight onto the needle and then I slip the bead on. It works for me. Sally Schoenberg Anchorage Alaska It's the end of summer. Bolete and Shaggy Mane mushrooms are growing everywhere, berries are begging to be picked, and the bears are plump and glossy. I know the bears are plump because one crossed the Gull Rock trail at Porcupine Creek just ahead of us the weekend before last. What excitement! ----- Original Message ----- From: "candace" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 6:34 AM Subject: [lace] Question about divider pins > Hi all, > > My question is where can I buy 2" (50mm) stainless steel straight pins (without glass heads) for making divider pins. I have several pretty beads that are too big for spangling but would make great divider pins. The problem is that I can't find **sturdy** pins on which I can glue my beads. > > I'm looking for pins without glass heads and that are about 2" long -- when I tried shorter (and easier to find) pins, there wasn't enough pin shank left to make a useful divider pin. > > I **did** try to do a Google search, but I was unsuccessful or I got way too many hits (as in 22,000!). > > What pins do you use to make your own divider pins? > > Candace in central PA > > - > To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: > unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
