Comments on: Stretchy Bracelets – Has Anyone Used Fabric Covered Elastic Instead of Stretch Magic?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 06:27:36 +0000

In reply to Kim.

Hi Kim,

Congrats on your wholesale business. I’ve been looking for quality precious and semi precious beads sold in bulk or at the wholesale cost here in the US ,but haven’t had any luck. Any suggestions?

Thank you
Michelle

By: Dana Wirth

Dana Wirth — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 01:03:16 +0000

Am I just lucky? I have been using Stretch Magic for years and never had a problem. I even have a couple bracelets I made for myself a years ago and even though they are a bit stretched out, they haven’t broken. Sometimes I have used Opelon but have had it break not like they say but break with beads flying everywhere. I do make my elastic bracelets a bit larger than others may with a slight drape and that could make a difference. There is less stress when putting them on and taking them off. I do stretch the elastic also.

By: Judy

Judy — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:24:17 +0000

In reply to Kathy. I also switched to Powercord, and I grab the ends and stretch 10-12 times. It seems to hold up much better, and I generally use the 1mm size unless I'm using very small beads and then I go for a bit less heft. Good luck!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 21:36:36 +0000

In reply to Kim. I'll give it a try, Kim. Thanks for the info.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 21:34:32 +0000

In reply to Nancy Vaughan. Thanks, Nancy. I'll add these to my list of brands to try.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 21:33:55 +0000

In reply to thelma. Good idea, Thelma. I will keep that in mind.

By: Nancy Vaughan

Nancy Vaughan — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 18:51:44 +0000

Beadalon has a new multi strand stretch cord called Elonga. I have some but haven’t used it yet. A couple of others are Opelon from Bead Smith and Elasticity (I’m not sure who makes it.)

By: thelma

thelma — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:53:11 +0000

I transitioned from stretchy bracelets to memory wire bracelets a few year ago. They are one size fits almost everyone and they do not break or lose their shape. I will cut the memory wire so that I have about one and a half to two inch overlap. It is easy to put on. I do have to watch the weight of the beads.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 13:38:33 +0000

Thank you ladies for all the suggestions. I am going to try the different cords recommended, and also make sure that I am pre-stretcing the cord the correct way before I use it.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 13:37:04 +0000

In reply to Faith Evans. Thanks, Faith. I think I'll try the Dazzle-It also and see if there is any difference. Appreciate the response.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 13:35:13 +0000

In reply to Moogie. Thanks, Moogie. I will try the Powercord. Do you pre-stretch it before you use it?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 13:34:29 +0000

In reply to Kay. Thanks, Kay. I think I'll try it out and see how it works.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 13:33:54 +0000

In reply to Barbara. Hi Barbara, yes, I stretch the cord but may not be doing it properly. I cut the length I need and then grab the middle and pull 5 or 6 times on the end, and then do that on the other side. Is that what you do? Thanks for your help.

By: Barbara Evans, Ventura

Barbara Evans, Ventura — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 05:34:40 +0000

Thank you all for the suggestions. I quit making elastic bracelets a couple of years ago after I sold two through a gallery and the Stretch Magic 1mm broke on both before the customer got them home! I’m going to try the Powercord, as my customers with arthritis in their hands love the stretchy bracelets. Rolling them on is an excellent suggestion.

By: Linda Blatchford

Linda Blatchford — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 03:03:54 +0000

In reply to Kim.

May I ask what size beads and cord you’re using? I use anywhere from 4mm and up. What do you recommend?

Congrats on your wholesale account! I’m going to be bold and ask how you got it, and if you set minimum orders.

Thanks!

By: Faith Evans

Faith Evans — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 02:58:18 +0000

My initial endeavors using Stretch Magic always left me kind of hesitant for such reasons. The owner of a local bead store gave me a few tips (including pre-stretching). Now I use Dazzle-It Stretch Bead Cord – premium quality and am very happy with the results. I usually instruct people to roll it on also instead of pulling……Good luck with the trials.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 16:19:08 +0000

I use Powercord too! I have found it to be the best of the many elastic cords I’ve tried. I make a LOT of stretch bracelets for a wholesale customer!

By: Moogie

Moogie — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:59:34 +0000

I use a different stretch cord from Fire Mountain called Powercord. I find the 1mm to be excellent & holds its shape over time. It comes in clear and other colors. I do have some cord like hair ties are made of but haven’t tried it for stretch bracelets. I’ll make one today & see how it holds up

By: Kay

Kay — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:02:40 +0000

Yes but you need larger holed beads. It does look prettier when stretched.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 13:39:13 +0000

Hi, Kathy, Have you pre-stretched the cord sufficiently before tying the knot? I live far, far north of Florida and I’ve noticed yellowing occurring on my unsold bracelets, as well, but that’s after a year of sitting on my table once a week (and between markets and shows they’re stored in covered bins). No one has come back complaining about bagged-out bracelets, though.

I think the yellowing is probably due to exposure to the air, so think ambient air pollution, changes in humidity, etc. I sell at a weekly indoor farmers market, and the amount of car exhaust that blows in from the parking lot outside is unbelievable.

I haven’t had any luck with fabric-covered elastic cords — they don’t have that “springiness” of Stretch Magic. Play with the two cords side by side and you’ll see what I mean.